According to Microsoft's president, "Poland is the ideal location to expand your tech business."
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith has urged global tech firms to invest in Poland, emphasizing the country's potential to become an “AI Valley” at the forefront of artificial intelligence development—a topic he discussed with Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week.
"I can tell investors: if you're in the tech industry, this is the place to grow your business," Smith told the Polish newspaper Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. "Poland is a large country with highly qualified workers. People are innovative and work hard. There are development opportunities here."
“What drives investment is the chance to collaborate with a large community eager to innovate and utilize technology,” he added. “This is precisely the kind of environment that makes Poland an attractive investment destination.”
Microsoft has maintained a presence in Poland since the early 1990s and has recently increased its investments there. In 2020, the company announced a $1 billion investment plan, including the establishment of its first data center in the region, which opened in Warsaw last year.
Despite concerns raised by Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Smith reassured that the conflict underscores Poland’s significance as a tech hub.
“We view Poland as a key NATO pillar and a supporter of Ukraine,” he said. “The proximity of the war highlights the critical need for technology investments more than ever.”
Smith's recent discussions with Prime Minister Tusk also covered enhancing cybersecurity, with Microsoft playing a role in helping Ukraine defend against cyberattacks. Poland has itself faced a series of cyberattacks linked to Russia.
Smith highlighted the rapid development of AI as a significant opportunity for Poland, given its robust tech and manufacturing sectors.
“The core processes of nearly every company will likely change with AI implementations,” he noted. “Poland, known for its strong manufacturing sector, has a tremendous opportunity here.”
He cited Mercedes-Benz as an example, explaining that the company uses AI to enhance communication between drivers and vehicles, and to revolutionize painting, maintenance, and design processes. Mercedes-Benz, another major investor in Poland, announced plans in 2022 to invest over €1 billion in a factory in Poland dedicated to producing electric vans.
In 2022, American payment giant Visa also announced the establishment of a global technology and product hub in Poland, focusing on advancing AI applications.
“The country has a chance to become the ‘Polish AI Valley’,” declared Smith. The concept of developing such an AI hub was a key point in his discussions with Tusk, according to the prime minister’s chancellery.