ENAIBLER AI Context Analysis: Focus on Opolskie (Poland)
As part of the ENAIBLER project, partners have been working on an analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) in different regions. For Poland, the report shows that Poland's approach to artificial intelligence is followed by European rules, as there is no national law on AI yet. The key institution for AI development include the Ministry of Digitalisation and Chancellery of the Prime Minister as well as AI Council and NASK agency on the operational level. These organisations shape the national policy, help promoting AI, conduct research, and provide training programs, especially for public services and schools.
Funding for AI projects comes from programs like the European Funds for Digital Development (2021-2027), which has a budget of €2 billion. These funds are used to improve e-services, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand internet access. AI is also being introduced in healthcare, where it will help improve online patient care and develop new solutions to protect health using AI and data.
In the Opolskie region, there are no specific regional AI policies distinguished from regional development and innovation policy, but the area is making progress with the help of European Funds for Opolskie 2021-2027. The funding within objective FEOP. 01.04. Digitalisation and e-public services as well as projects such as "Innovative Opolskie" support the dissemination of knowledge about the use of artificial intelligence in various sectors of regional smart specialisation. Local hospitals and companies are using AI in areas like healthcare and food industry. AI-based systems for transportation and public services are being tested in the region to make things more efficient.
Despite these efforts, there are challenges in adopting AI, including the need for more investment and training for public sector workers. While policy-makers and the public is generally supportive of AI, economic difficulties and lacks in appropriate understanding of innovative AI-based solutions may slow down progress. The focus moving forward will be on showing how AI can save money, improve public services, and help fill job shortages, especially in healthcare and administration. The dynamically changing environment with pandemics, cyberattacks and flood is setting up also new challenges to regional policy and the use of AI in the public sector.