Poland has the potential to become one of the world’s leaders in artificial intelligence within the next two to three years, according to experts. However, they emphasize that achieving this goal will require swift, coordinated national action. A crucial step is the update of Poland’s national AI development policy and the long-promised launch of a dedicated AI development fund—which, despite previous announcements, still hasn’t been established. Poland’s most valuable asset in this race? Its highly skilled AI professionals.
“Poland has a real opportunity to join the ranks of global AI leaders, but we need to act fast and make the right decisions as a country,” said Joanna Szczegielniak, President of the Connecting the Future Foundation, speaking at the 2025 Women in Tech Summit. “We can’t compete with the financial power or scale of countries like the U.S. or China. But our great strength lies in our brilliant AI scientists and experts. They’re conquering the world, and we want to bring them back to work for Poland. If we choose the right specializations, we could become a global leader within just two or three years. AI is still a very young and rapidly evolving field—this is our moment.”
A New National AI Strategy in the Works
The Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs shares this vision. In early June 2025, it released a draft of the new “Artificial Intelligence Development Policy in Poland until 2030” for public consultation, open until July 1, 2025.
The strategy envisions Poland ranking among the top 10–20 most advanced AI nations by the end of the decade, as measured by global benchmarks like the Tortoise AI Index, Stanford HAI, and the Government AI Readiness Index. The updated policy aims to build a robust AI ecosystem that connects science, government, business, and civil society. The goal is to create legal, technological, financial, and educational frameworks that enable AI to thrive based on collaboration and trust.
Key pillars of the policy include:
- Competency development
- Support for research and implementation
- Investment in talent
- Increasing productivity
- Job creation through AI adoption
“This national AI policy is long overdue. The last one was drafted in 2020—before ChatGPT even existed. Much has changed since then. We urgently need this roadmap to guide our development,” emphasized Szczegielniak.
Strong STEM Foundation and International Recognition
Poland already has a solid foundation in STEM education, which is key to AI leadership.
“We’re one of the best countries in Europe when it comes to training in the hard sciences. Our performance in international mathematics and AI competitions proves our enormous potential,” said Szczegielniak.
For instance, at the 2024 International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in Bulgaria, the Polska Południe team (students from Wrocław and Rzeszów) won two gold medals, while the Polska Północ team secured two bronze. At the 63rd International Mathematical Olympiad in Oslo, Polish high schoolers brought home four silver and two bronze medals—among the most prestigious honors in global math competitions.
Public Sector Support Critical for Global Leadership
To achieve global AI leadership, Szczegielniak stressed the importance of strong government backing.
“The government must act as a shield and facilitator, driving growth through incentives and targeted programs. We need a platform that fosters collaboration between academia and industry. This synergy is what will empower us to become a global player.”
One key element still missing is the AI development fund, which has yet to be created despite multiple announcements.
“Other countries have been investing in AI for years. Meanwhile, Poland is still in the planning phase. This has to change immediately—time is of the essence. The world won’t wait for us. This is a once-in-generations opportunity—perhaps the first such moment for Poland in 230 years, since the partitions. If we miss it now, catching up later will be extremely difficult,” she warned.
Strategic Sectors for AI Implementation
According to the Digital Ministry’s draft policy and insights from the Polish Economic Institute, the AI Working Group at the Ministry of Digital Affairs (GRAI), and other strategic reports, Poland’s most promising sectors for AI development and implementation are:
- Energy
- E-commerce
- Dual-use technologies
- Cybersecurity
- BioMedTech
- Financial services
- Transport, shipping, and logistics
Each of these sectors will have its own dedicated AI sector policy, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Development and Technology and other relevant ministries. These documents will define:
- Sector-specific AI implementation needs
- Key AI use cases with the greatest impact
- Data-sharing frameworks between stakeholders
- Instruments for supporting AI adoption and development
As Poland races against the clock, the next few months could prove decisive in determining whether the country seizes the opportunity to become an international force in the age of artificial intelligence.
