Poland takes pride in its successful economic transformation and its accession to the ranks of global economic powers. In reality, however, the country still struggles with a number of issues typical of developing economies. One example is low labor productivity—three times lower than in Ireland, two and a half times lower than in Norway, and nearly twice as low as in countries such as Belgium, Austria, or Germany.
At the same time, Poland has many advantages. For instance, its level of digitalization surpasses that of many other European countries. This creates an opportunity to automate business processes using artificial intelligence on a large scale, potentially providing an additional boost to economic growth. The country boasts highly developed access to high-capacity digital infrastructure, which had already reached over 80 percent of households three years ago.
In the coming years, fiber-optic coverage is expected to approach 100 percent. However, relatively few companies are taking advantage of the potential offered by automation and AI. In this respect, Poland remains below the EU average and far behind leaders such as Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. While AI adoption in Polish enterprises grows by only a few percent annually, Sweden records growth rates of up to 15 percent.
Improving Productivity and Adapting to New Requirements
In Poland, AI is primarily implemented by companies in the IT, communications, professional services, and scientific and technical sectors. According to research by the Polish Economic Institute, the main investment barriers are psychological attitudes and decision-making processes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the most skeptical of innovation. More than half of the smallest firms remain wary of new technologies and postpone modernization decisions.
In contrast, for larger companies, AI implementation has become a strategic imperative. As many as 80 percent of managers in large firms consider process automation a key element of business operations. By the end of 2024, up to 90 percent of large companies declared readiness to implement AI solutions. Unsurprisingly, the skepticism among smaller entrepreneurs stems largely from lower digital competencies. To catch up with Europe, SMEs must be actively supported. Many businesses will face a fundamental choice: adapt to new requirements or fall out of the market. This is particularly significant in a country where SMEs generate the majority of GDP. In many cases, investments of just several thousand zlotys in areas such as inventory management or customer service can pay off in less than six months.
Where Can Automation Succeed?
There are sectors where automation is advancing rapidly and naturally. The labor market and human resource management were among the first to undergo rapid transformation. Today, 90 percent of recruiters use some form of AI for candidate pre-selection, job matching, and automating routine tasks. This also brings challenges: many qualified candidates are rejected because their CVs lack the keywords used by filtering systems, reducing their chances of being invited for interviews. On the other hand, candidates now submit applications en masse, increasing recruiters’ workload.
The previously mentioned productivity gaps could be significantly reduced through the use of AI. It is estimated that up to half of the tasks performed by employees in Poland are routine enough to be automated. This represents a potential equivalent of more than 7 million jobs, where workers could be reassigned to higher-value tasks. Importantly, this does not necessarily imply layoffs, but rather a shift toward more advanced responsibilities.
Another key benefit of automation is cost reduction. Well-designed AI implementations, based on return-on-investment metrics, can generate savings of 30–40 percent while accelerating operational processes by 40–80 percent. For SMEs, this could eliminate human errors that currently cost them around PLN 4.3 billion annually.
The greatest benefits of automation are seen in customer service, marketing, and data management. Companies that have implemented AI effectively report average revenue increases of 35 percent and productivity gains of 25 percent. Customer satisfaction in many cases rises by up to 50 percent. Interestingly, the sectors with the highest potential for Poland are not the most obvious ones. Forecasts indicate that manufacturing and construction could benefit the most, with automation potential estimated at 50 percent—significantly higher than in trade, where it stands at around 30 percent.
Chances for Success
In many areas, Poland has the potential to become a leader of change. The country’s experience with systemic transformation has fostered a natural ability to adapt to new—often difficult—conditions. Its greatest asset is human capital: highly skilled specialists in advanced technologies who have been succeeding globally for decades. There is no need to fear an inability to cope—Poland possesses vast potential that is already beginning to materialize.
Compared to other Central and Eastern European countries, Poland performs very well. However, one issue remains a cause for concern: operating in a highly volatile environment. Today’s challenges include disrupted supply chains and a war just beyond Poland’s borders, as well as an energy crisis and rapidly growing public debt.
Poland faces some of the highest energy prices in Europe, with contracts exceeding German prices by 10 percent and Danish prices by as much as 25 percent. Access to affordable energy is crucial for AI deployment, which is highly energy-intensive. Additionally, the EU market is heavily regulated, which negatively impacts the sector. Rising public debt also poses a challenge—higher taxes, likely unavoidable in the future, may limit business investment.
Nevertheless, some forecasts suggest that increased productivity driven by AI automation could become a major engine of GDP growth—by as much as 5 percent over the next decade, translating into an additional PLN 150–170 billion annually.
Automation could also bring significant benefits to public administration. Streamlining routine tasks could generate savings of around PLN 8 billion while increasing administrative efficiency by 7 percent. However, political incentives often favor expanding public sector employment.
Many companies have already begun adapting to new challenges and implementing improvements. Examples include Żabka and its autonomous Żabka Nano stores—the largest network of this kind in Europe—where cameras identify products picked up by customers, significantly reducing checkout time. The company has also developed its own AI-based energy recovery system.
Another example is InPost, which is expanding across Europe. AI optimizes courier operations, reducing costs by several percent. Vehicles are equipped with sensors that monitor wear and tear, preventing downtime. As a result, the company has captured over 57 percent of the parcel locker market, maintaining significantly lower operating costs than competitors.
Allegro has also implemented AI-driven personalization processes. Its One Fulfillment service and recommendation systems have more than doubled the company’s revenues.
State-owned giants are also investing in AI. Orlen aims to optimize refinery operations through automation, allocating up to PLN 3 billion for new investments. Meanwhile, KGHM, under its E-Industry strategy, plans to build an intelligent production chain expected to increase capital utilization by 20 percent and reduce CO₂ emissions by up to one million tons.
