Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining traction across Poland, igniting a wave of digital transformation and economic opportunities. According to the latest independent report Unlocking Poland’s AI Potential in the Digital Decade – Phase II, conducted by Strand Partners and commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the percentage of Polish companies using AI has grown by an impressive 36% over the past year - the fastest rate among EU countries. This remarkable progress positions Poland as a frontrunner in AI integration among EU nations.
Unlocking €134 billion in economic growth
The economic implications of Poland's accelerated AI adoption are substantial. According to the study by Strand Partners announced earlier this year, sustaining this momentum could unlock an additional €134 billion (576 billion Polish zlotys) for the Polish economy by 2030. Currently, 30% of companies across the country have integrated AI into their operations, and the vast majority have seen positive impacts on business value (83%) and cost savings (79%).
Overcoming talent and regulatory hurdles
As the demand for AI capabilities intensifies, Polish companies face challenges in recruiting suitably skilled professionals. To address this talent gap, 85% of firms are willing to offer higher salaries, with an average proposed increase of 28%, to candidates proficient in AI, cybersecurity, and data analysis.
Moreover, the lack of clear legal regulations surrounding AI adoption has been identified as a significant barrier by 32% of companies in the defense sector. Establishing a robust regulatory framework is crucial to facilitating the seamless integration of AI technologies while ensuring compliance and safeguarding ethical standards.
AI adoption across industries in Poland
- Defense industry: The defense sector in Poland stands out as the frontrunner in AI adoption, with a remarkable 71% of companies already leveraging this technology. The defense industry is utilising AI for quality control, content creation, fraud detection, and enhancing cybersecurity. However, challenges such as recruiting skilled talent (41%) and the lack of clear regulations (32%) hinder faster adoption.
- Manufacturing: 47% of companies in this sector have adopted AI solutions, primarily for quality control, customer service, and process automation, resulting in improved efficiency (62%) and better decision-making (nearly 50%).
- Financial services: 40% of firms in this industry leverage AI for financial analysis, predictive analytics, and human resource management processes, driven by the promise of increased productivity.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Although lagging behind larger corporations, 25% of Polish SMEs have implemented AI tools, primarily for predictive analysis (33%) and system automation (28%), yielding revenue growth (33%) and cost reductions (33%).
Paving the way for a digital future
As Poland continues to embrace AI at an unprecedented rate, the country is well-positioned to become a European leader in this transformative domain. However, realising AI's full potential will require concerted efforts in developing specialised skills and establishing a clear regulatory framework. By addressing these challenges, Poland can harness the power of AI to drive economic prosperity, fortify national security, and foster digital transformation across industries.
