Google invests billions in Poland? A boost for digitalization and energy transformation

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in Warsaw to discuss prospects for digitalization, artificial intelligence, and energy transformation in Poland. As a result of this collaboration, the American tech giant will make multi-billion-dollar investments that are expected to increase Poland’s GDP by 8%. Under the signed memorandum, Google will engage in training programs, cybersecurity, and support for Polish startups.

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13 february 2025   |   16:54   |   Source: KPRM / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. KPRM

Google and Poland’s tech sector – a partnership for the future

The meeting took place at Google for Startups Campus in Centrum Praskie Koneser, a hub that has been supporting Polish entrepreneurs for the past 10 years. In 2014, Donald Tusk, then also prime minister, invited Google to cooperate with Poland, and since then, the company has helped develop over 100,000 Polish businesses. Sundar Pichai emphasized that Poland has become a key European technology hub, employing over 2,000 engineers within Google's ecosystem.

Investments in AI, cybersecurity, and energy

The signed agreement between Google and the Polish Development Fund focuses on the growth and implementation of artificial intelligence in Polish institutions and businesses. A crucial element of this collaboration will be an educational program through which Google will train one million Poles in digital tools and AI. Additionally, investments will include the construction of Poland’s fastest AI supercomputer in Kraków and a new technology factory in Poznań.

Thanks to these efforts, Poland has the potential to become a leader in new technologies and digitalization, leading to increased innovation and competitiveness. Google’s support for energy transformation will also contribute to achieving climate goals and enhancing the country’s energy security.

Deregulation as a business stimulus

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also announced cooperation with Polish startups in the area of deregulation, aiming to make business operations in Poland easier. The plan "Poland: a year of breakthroughs" envisions simplifying regulations and eliminating administrative barriers, which could further encourage investors to develop innovative ventures in the Polish market.

Poland as Europe’s innovation hub

Poland is already recognized as one of the leading technology hubs in Europe. With over 400,000 IT specialists, new investments from Google could further accelerate the sector’s growth. Sundar Pichai highlighted that Poland is a crucial partner for Google in Europe and that modern technologies, including AI and cybersecurity, will be the foundation for the country's future economic growth.

The rapid development of digitalization, support for innovative enterprises, and substantial investments in technological education are key elements of Google’s strategy for Poland. These new initiatives have the potential to significantly impact economic growth, strengthen Poland’s position in the European tech market, and contribute to the country's long-term digital transformation.

Billions vs. reality: $5 per Pole? What is the true value of cooperation with the Polish government?

The recently announced Google investment in Poland, amounting to just $5 per citizen, has become the subject of jokes and criticism. Many commentators point out that despite the impressive figures, the actual benefits for the average citizen may be minimal. It is worth considering what the real value of cooperation between global tech giants and the Polish government is.

The government is strengthening its collaboration with companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, hoping to accelerate the country’s digitalization and boost economic innovation. However, experts highlight potential risks associated with the dominance of foreign corporations in key sectors and emphasize the need to support domestic tech enterprises.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently presented an economic plan for 2025, outlining investments worth up to 700 billion PLN—the highest amount in Poland’s economic history. The plan is based on six pillars: investment in science, energy transformation, modern technology, infrastructure development, a dynamic capital market, and support and cooperation with businesses.

While Poland claims to be prioritizing artificial intelligence, its actual financial commitment remains relatively low. For example, the budget for IDEAS NCBR, an institution established to support AI research, is around 20 million PLN per year. In contrast, France recently announced an AI investment plan worth 109 billion euros, roughly equivalent to 470 billion PLN. This means France is investing 23,500 times more in AI than Poland. Such a vast disparity in funding could significantly impact Poland’s ability to keep pace with other European countries in AI development.

Cooperation with global tech giants could bring Poland many benefits, such as knowledge transfer, job creation, and digital infrastructure development. However, it is crucial to ensure that these partnerships are balanced and take into account the interests of local communities and businesses. Only then can such investments generate real and lasting benefits for Poland’s economy and its citizens.

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