September 9, 2026, (Inside AI) — Around 30 robots marched outside Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs in Warsaw, waving flags and chanting for stronger AI regulation. The protest, organized by an initiative called Democratism, aimed to spark public debate on how automation reshapes the labor market.
The machines ranged from bipedal humanoids to dog-like quadrupeds. Loudspeakers broadcast slogans including "Defend workplaces," "Time for rules," and "Don't wait, regulate." One humanoid, named Agibot A3, told journalists that the technology present is already a functioning reality today.
Organizer Grzegorz Kulis said the campaign targets job displacement beyond physical labor, extending into cognitive work such as administrative, customer service, and analysis roles. He argued society must decide who prepares people for these changes.
Kulis warned that inaction now could create serious problems soon. He stressed the urgent need for protective rules, describing them as a shield safeguarding workers. However, he insisted the goal was not fighting technological progress itself.
A sharp irony sits at the protest's heart. Kulis also leads a robotics company and a long-running recruitment firm. Consequently, the robots warning of job losses came from that very industry. He said he feels personally responsible for informing society about these changes.
Poland's Regulatory Signal Amid EU AI Tensions
Poland's Digital Affairs Minister and Deputy PM Krzysztof Gawkowski attended personally. He acknowledged the real risks from uncontrolled, evolving AI models. Gawkowski said Poland is the first EU country regulating AI markets. He also announced plans for a dedicated AI development and security commission.
The Warsaw protest arrives as the European Union implements its landmark AI Act, which phases in obligations through 2027. Poland's claim of being first to regulate AI markets may refer to national measures that predate full EU enforcement. The country has pushed digital oversight since 2023, including rules on deepfakes and algorithmic transparency in public services.
Labor economists note that automation historically creates new roles even as it eliminates others. A 2025 OECD report estimated that 27% of jobs in member countries face high automation risk. Yet the same report found that technology adoption correlates with net employment growth when paired with retraining programs.
The protest's use of robots as messengers is not new. In 2017, a robot named Sophia addressed the United Nations on AI ethics. In 2023, the International Federation of Robotics launched a campaign featuring factory robots "asking" for safety standards. Such stunts often draw media attention but rarely shift policy directly.
Critics argue that staging robot protests risks trivializing worker concerns. A labor union representative in Warsaw told local media that human workers should lead such demonstrations. Others see value in visual spectacle to force public conversation.
The Democratism initiative has not disclosed funding sources or whether robotics firms supplied the machines. Kulis's dual role as recruiter and robotics executive raises questions about conflicting incentives. He acknowledged this tension, saying his industry experience gives him unique insight into automation's speed.
Poland's proposed AI commission would likely coordinate with the EU's AI Office in Brussels. Details remain scarce on its mandate, membership, or enforcement powers. Gawkowski offered no timeline for the commission's launch.
The protest underscores a broader European anxiety. A Eurobarometer survey from 2025 found that 61% of Poles view AI positively for productivity but 58% worry about job losses. That split mirrors the tension between innovation and protection that regulators face across the continent.
