Poland lags regional leaders in readiness for the AI boom

Poland is often seen as one of Central and Eastern Europe’s larger technology markets, but a new comparative study suggests the country is not fully prepared for the coming wave of artificial intelligence. Despite strong research output and solid computing infrastructure, smaller neighbours are moving faster in turning AI into economic and educational advantage.

The CEE AI Index 2026, compiled by experts from more than a dozen Central and Eastern European countries, maps how ready states in the region are for the AI revolution. Its findings, reported by the daily “Rzeczpospolita”, paint a mixed picture for Poland.

Poland’s position in the CEE AI Index 2026

In the 2026 edition of the CEE AI Index, which evaluates 11 countries from the region, Poland ranks fourth. The top positions are held by Estonia and Slovenia, while Lithuania also comes ahead of Poland.

This means that, although Poland has a larger population and economy than many of its neighbours, it is not among the regional frontrunners in AI readiness. The index compares countries across areas such as research performance, digital infrastructure, education, regulation, innovation and business adoption.

Strong research, infrastructure and talent base

According to the assessment cited by “Rzeczpospolita”, Poland’s strongest assets lie in its scientific output and the scale of its AI ecosystem. The country stands out in several key areas:

• AI research publications – Poland generates the highest volume of AI-related scientific publications in the region, signalling an active academic and research community.
• High performance computing – the country has the largest high performance computing (HPC) capacity among the analysed states, giving it solid technical foundations for training and deploying advanced AI models.
• Specialist workforce – Poland has the most numerous pool of AI and related technology specialists in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Educational potential – the index notes a strong education base that could, in principle, support further growth in AI skills and competencies.
• National AI strategy – Poland has adopted a dedicated AI strategy, which, combined with what experts describe as clear “strategic political signals”, indicates awareness of the technology’s importance at the policy level.

Experts involved in the index highlight that Poland’s profile is particularly impressive in metrics where sheer scale matters, such as scientific publications and the size of the talent pool.

Energy prices and missing testbeds weigh on competitiveness

Despite these advantages, several structural weaknesses are holding Poland back in the regional AI race. One of the most serious issues flagged in the CEE AI Index is the cost of electricity.

The study shows that Poland scores among the worst in the region on energy prices. This is a critical factor for AI, as running large data centres and training complex models consumes significant amounts of power. High electricity costs can therefore undermine the country’s competitiveness as a location for AI infrastructure and services.

Another gap is the lack of dedicated AI testing environments. The report notes that Poland does not yet have the kind of structured testbeds or “sandboxes” that allow companies and researchers to trial AI solutions in controlled conditions, which can slow down experimentation and deployment.

AI education at school level remains a weak spot

The index also points to shortcomings in how AI is integrated into general education. When it comes to teaching about artificial intelligence in schools, Poland comes last among the countries surveyed.

This does not contradict the country’s strong higher education and research base, but suggests that early-stage digital and AI literacy is not yet systematically embedded in the school curriculum. Over time, this could limit the breadth of the talent pipeline and the overall level of AI awareness in society and business.

Limited public R&D spending and slow business adoption

Beyond education and infrastructure, the authors of the index criticise the level of public investment in research and development. Government spending on R&D in Poland is described as insufficient relative to the ambitions articulated in strategic documents.

The report also underlines that adoption of AI by companies remains modest. Many enterprises have yet to systematically integrate AI into their operations, products or services, which reduces the immediate economic impact of the country’s research and technical capabilities.

For a technology that promises efficiency gains, new business models and improved competitiveness, slow uptake by the private sector weakens Poland’s overall standing in the regional comparison.

Investment ecosystem and spin-offs still underdeveloped

The CEE AI Index further notes that Poland’s innovation ecosystem is not yet fully aligned with the potential of its research base. Two issues stand out:

• Venture capital investment – the level of high-risk, growth-oriented investment is assessed as insufficient to fully support the development and scaling of AI ventures.
• Academic spin-offs – activity in creating and commercialising academic spin-offs is seen as weaker than it could be, given the size and output of Polish universities and research institutes.

These gaps mean that scientific achievements and technical skills are not always translated into market-ready products and globally competitive companies.

Regional rivals move faster despite smaller scale

The fact that Estonia, Slovenia and Lithuania outrun Poland in the CEE AI Index underscores a broader trend: in AI, agility and focused policy can outweigh sheer economic size. Smaller states have managed to combine supportive regulation, targeted investment, and early digital education to advance more rapidly.

For Poland, the message is that strong research and infrastructure are necessary but not sufficient. Without cheaper and more sustainable energy, better testing frameworks, earlier AI education, stronger public R&D support, and a more dynamic investment ecosystem, the country risks falling further behind more nimble neighbours in harnessing AI for growth and competitiveness.