The official opening of the Digital Poland Association House during the Economic Forum in Karpacz and the inauguration of three days of discussions on the future of the Polish and European digital economy. This will be a space for representatives of public administration, business, academia, industry organizations, and technology experts from Poland and Europe to meet. The Digital Meetup will be an opportunity to make new contacts, exchange experiences, and start discussions on the most important challenges of digital transformation.

Host:
Piotr WITWICKI, Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Faced with growing technological rivalry, Europe is seeking to strengthen its technological sovereignty while maintaining an open, innovative, and competitive economy. Panel participants will discuss the development of European competencies in key areas – from AI and cloud to semiconductors, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. The discussion will cover the role of investment, regulation, public procurement, and international cooperation. An important theme will also be the potential of Central and Eastern Europe and regional cooperation in building Europe’s technological advantage.

Moderator:
Piotr WITWICKI, Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Panelists:

Katarzyna CHOJECKA-TOMASZEWSKA, Head of Government Affairs Poland & CEE, Cisco

Ziemowit PRZEBITKOWSKI, Technology and Digitalization Specialist, Konfederacja

Marcin SUGAK, Sales Director for Critical Networks in Northern and Central Europe, Ericsson

Konrad ŚLUSARCZYK, Head of Government Engagement for Central and Eastern Europe, Visa

Jan ZUJEWICZ, Founder of the Poznań Institute

Europe is increasingly asking itself why, despite its enormous potential, it continues to lag behind the United States and China in the global technology race. In a conversation with Katarzyna Smyk from the European Commission, we will discuss what Europe needs to turn its ambitions more effectively into investment, innovation and the scaling of new technologies. Is the European economic model ready for a new phase of global technological competition?

Moderator: 
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Guest:
Katarzyna SMYK, Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland

2027 will be a key period for European digital policy. After years of intensive legislative work, the attention of EU institutions is increasingly shifting from creating new regulations to their implementation, enforcement, and assessment of their impact on the competitiveness of the European economy. During the discussion, participants will learn about the most important initiatives, priorities, and directions of action that will shape the regulatory environment of the digital sector in the coming months.

Moderator:
Piotr WITWICKI, Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Panelists:

Witold STRZELECKI, Managing Director, Business & Science Poland

Aleksandra TOMASZEWSKA, Director of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Digital Affairs

Michał KANOWNIK, President, Digital Poland Association

Emil KĘDZIERSKI, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google

Jakub SZYMIK, Founder, CEE Digital Democracy Watch

The CEE AI Challenger 2026 report presents a shared Central and Eastern European perspective on the development of artificial intelligence and the region’s place in Europe’s technological race. It is based on discussions with representatives of governments, businesses and the technology sector from across CEE, focusing on key challenges such as investment, infrastructure, skills, regulation and AI adoption across the economy.

During the presentation, we will highlight the report’s key findings and recommendations and explore how CEE can leverage its potential to become one of the key drivers of AI development in Europe.

Presentation by:
Michał KANOWNIK, President of Digital Poland Association

Can Central and Eastern Europe become one of the driving forces of artificial intelligence development in Europe? The region’s competitiveness will be determined not only by access to technology but, above all, by the pace at which AI is implemented by companies, administration, and the scientific sector. Participants will discuss how to remove barriers to AI adoption, increase the number of implementations – especially among SMEs – and more effectively attract investment, talent, and innovation. The starting point will be the recommendations of the CEE AI Challenger report and the possibilities of translating them into concrete national and European actions.

Debate partner: NASK

Moderator:
Piotr WITWICKI, Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Panelists:

Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Vice-Chairman of the Sejm Committee on Digitalization, Innovation and Modern Technologies

Mateusz OLEKSY, General Manager in Poland, VISA

Tomasz PARKOŁA, Project Manager of PIAST-AI at PCSS, expert in digital sovereignty and AI infrastructure

Prof. Piotr SANKOWSKI, President of IDEAS NCBR

Alejandro SAUCEDO, Director of Engineering, Science & Product at Zalando SE

Marek TROSZYŃSKI, Head of the Strategic Analysis Team for Cyberspace and Cybersecurity, NASK

Poland’s digital economy is accelerating, but key decisions on regulation, investment, and the development of new technologies still lie ahead for the technology sector and public administration. In a conversation with Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Dariusz Standerski, we will discuss the most pressing challenges facing Poland’s digital sector, as well as what businesses expect from the government today. How can Poland build its competitiveness, develop AI and digital infrastructure, while at the same time creating regulations that foster innovation? This will be a direct conversation about where the interests of government and industry converge — and where dialogue is still needed.

Moderator:
Michał KANOWNIK, President of the Digital Poland Association

Guest:
Dariusz STANDERSKI, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digital Affairs

The European Union is facing one of the biggest e-commerce market reforms in years, including customs changes, new obligations for platforms, and more effective control of products from outside the EU. Discussion participants will consider whether the new regulations will ensure equal competition rules and more effective enforcement of EU regulations against global platforms. Reconciling consumer safety with the competitiveness and openness of the European market will also be an important topic. The panel will also show what consequences the changes may bring for platforms, sellers, and consumers.

Moderator:
Przemysław PAJĄK, Editor-in-Chief, Spider’s Web

Panelists:

Anna BRYŁKA, MEP

Marianna SIDOROFF, Director of the Digital Economy Department, Ministry of Development and Technology

Kamil MIROWSKI, Head of Public Affairs Poland & CEE, Zalando

Piotr CZARNIAK, Public Affairs Manager CEE, Allegro

E-commerce is becoming one of the key areas of the global economy, and for Poland, aspiring to a permanent place among the G20 countries, it can be an important source of competitiveness and business expansion. Artificial intelligence is changing the way how consumers search for products and make purchasing decisions, and marketplaces are transforming into increasingly complex ecosystems of trade, logistics, and payments. The discussion will show how technologies are changing the rules of global competition and what is needed for Polish and European companies to effectively compete with the biggest players. Participants will also consider which technologies and competencies will be key to strengthening Poland’s position in the digital G20 economy.

Moderator:
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Guest:
Alejandro SAUCEDO, Director of Engineering, Science & Product, Zalando SE

Poland’s advancement into the group of the twenty largest economies in the world opens a discussion about the political and economic decisions needed to move from a cost-based model to an innovation economy with high added value. How should the state support the development of Polish technologies and companies and strengthen domestic competencies in strategic sectors such as AI, semiconductors, cloud, and cybersecurity? Politicians will discuss state priorities, necessary reforms and investments, and how to use Poland’s presence in the G20 to build a stronger position in the global economy.

Moderator: 
Piotr WITWICKI,Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Panelists:

Janusz CIESZYŃSKI, Former Minister of Digital Affairs

Marek ZAGÓRSKI, Former Minister of Digital Affairs

Grzegorz NAPIERALSKI, Member of the Polish Parliament, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Digitalisation, Innovation and Modern Technologies

Michał KANOWNIK, President of Digital Poland Association

AI, cloud, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure are becoming the foundation of the competitiveness of modern economies. Which technologies should be a priority for Poland, and how can investment in data centers, AI infrastructure, and the semiconductor sector be effectively attracted? The participants will discuss strategic investments that can strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and Poland’s position as a regional hub for new technologies.

Moderator:
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Panelists:
Adam BAJURA, CEO of Euvic Solutions

Mikołaj BOBIŃSKI, Sales Director Large Enterprise, Lenovo Poland

Bartłomiej PEJO, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Chairman of the Sejm Committee on Digitalization and New Technologies

Jacek PRZYBYLSKI, General Manager, Cisco Poland

Wojciech SZAJNAR, Director of the Centre for New Technologies for Public Policy, NASK

Adam TOMCZAK, Corporate Sales Channel Manager for AMD in Central and Eastern Europe, AMD

The digitalization of Polish schools has accelerated significantly, giving students and teachers access to modern equipment and digital tools. The next step should be to create a coherent model for their effective use in education. Debate participants will discuss digital competencies, the use of AI, financing and modernization of infrastructure, and professional technology management in schools. The aim will be to identify actions that prepare Polish education for the needs of the digital economy and the labor market of the future.

Debate partner: NAWA

Moderator:
Krzysztof KIRYCZUK, TVP3 Warszawa

Panelists:

Paulina PIECHNA-WIĘCKIEWICZ, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of National Education

Dr. Damian SYJCZAK, Deputy Director of the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA)

Michał KANOWNIK, President, Digital Poland Association

Prof. Leszek DOMAŃSKI, Rector of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

Prof. Marlena PLEBAŃSKA, President of the STEAM Poland Foundation

Building Poland’s digital advantage requires not only investment in modern infrastructure but also effective cooperation between the state, operators, and technology providers. How can secure and resilient networks be developed, innovation supported, and domestic and European technological competencies strengthened while maintaining access to the best solutions available on the global market? Participants will discuss how to create partnerships and a regulatory environment that will increase Poland’s competitiveness, accelerate investment, and enable the effective use of the potential of new technologies.

Moderator:
Karol TOKARCZYK, Polityka Insight

Panelists:

Martin MELLOR, Country Manager, Ericsson

Kenneth CAMPBELL, CEO, Play

Przemysław KUNA, President of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE)

Dariusz STANDERSKI, Secretary of State, Ministry of Digital Affairs

Poland’s advancement into the group of the world’s largest economies poses new challenges for education and the labor market. Which competencies will be key in the coming decade, and how can they be developed at all stages of education – from school to lifelong learning? Participants will discuss cooperation between education, business, and administration, and the changes needed for Poland to maintain its pace of development and effectively compete with the world’s most developed economies.

Moderator:
Piotr WITWICKI, Editor-in-Chief of Polsat News and Interia

Paneliści:

Sebastian GAJEWSKI, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy

Evghenia IARINA, Country Manager, Coursera

Liwiusz LASKA, President of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS)

Maria MRÓWCZYŃSKA, Secretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education

Prof. Marlena PLEBAŃSKA, President of the STEAM Poland Foundation

Mikołaj BOBIŃSKI, Sales Director Large Enterprise, Lenovo Poland

The new consumer credit act will cover not only traditional financial institutions but also BNPL, payment providers, and e-commerce market participants. How will the new regulations affect the development of innovative services, and will they ensure equal competitive conditions for European companies and global platforms? Participants will also discuss how to effectively protect consumers without limiting the innovation and competitiveness of the digital economy.

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Moderator:
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Panelists:

Kamil MIROWSKI, Head of Public Affairs Poland & CEE, Zalando

Jan PILEWSKI, Head of Public Affairs & Public Policy & Governmental Affairs, Play

Mikołaj ŚNIATAŁA, Partner at Andersen law firm

Michał ZIEMIAK, PhD, Financial Ombudsman

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Poland’s startup sector is growing at a dynamic pace. There are ideas, visions, and plans from young, enterprising Poles who want to develop the national economy. However, on the road to success, they encounter obstacles. We will debate the barriers that need to be overcome, the spaces that are key to startup success, and the challenges posed by AI, with dream-filled and enthusiastic young Poles. A few months before Poland takes its seat at the G20 summit table in the USA, we want to talk about visions for startup development. This will be an open space for discussion with those who not only want to talk about entrepreneurship but, above all, want to consider what needs to be done to create the conditions for building and developing startups.

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Hosts:
Katarzyna CHOJECKA, Digital Poland Association
Krzysztof KIRYCZUK, TVP3 Warszawa

Special guest:
Krzysztof GAWKOWSKI, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digital Affairs

Artificial intelligence is becoming a natural part of the everyday life of the younger generation – from learning and entertainment to communication and first professional experiences. How will growing up with AI affect the way knowledge is acquired, competencies developed, creativity, and social relationships? What opportunities does it offer young people, and what new challenges does it pose for parents, schools, and the state? The discussion will attempt to answer the question of how to prepare the new generation for conscious and responsible functioning in the world of AI.

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Moderator:
Przemysław PAJĄK, Editor-in-Chief, Spider’s Web

Guest:
Jan KAVALIREK, CEE AI Ambassador

It has been 20 years since the launch in Poland of the collection and recycling system for used electrical and electronic equipment, which has become an important element of the circular economy. The starting point for the discussion will be the presentation of the report entitled ‘20 Years of the WEEE System in Poland’, summarizing its development and impact on the environment, the economy, and public awareness. Participants will discuss new challenges related to the growing number of devices, technological development, and regulatory changes. The discussion will also be an opportunity to identify how to increase the efficiency of collection and recycling and support Europe’s raw material security.

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Moderator:
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Guest:
Andrzej SAJA, Deputy CEO, ElektroEko S.A.

The debate will be an opportunity to discuss the role of trust technologies in building a safer internet and solutions enabling age verification of users while respecting privacy and protecting data. The growing activity of children and young people in the digital environment and the development of online services mean that effective protection of minors is becoming one of the most important challenges for regulators, digital service providers, and technology creators. Finding solutions that increase the safety of the youngest users while maintaining a high level of data protection, privacy, and free access to digital services will be one of the key topics of discussion.

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Moderator:
Krzysztof KIRYCZUK, TVP3 Warszawa

Panelists:

Dariusz STACHECKI, Principal of Feliks Szołdrski Primary School No. 3 in Nowy Tomyśl

Attorney Katarzyna LEDER-SALGUEIRO, advisor to the Ministry of Justice

Amelia RUDNICKA, Coordinator at the Varia Posnania Foundation

Jolanta ZIĘBA-GZIK, Member of the Polish Parliament

Small towns and municipalities are increasingly showing that digitalization can be an effective tool for local community development. Debate participants will discuss the most important investments, the development of digital competencies, and the use of AI and data in local governments. The discussion will also cover cooperation between the public sector and business, and best practices showing how technology can improve the quality of public services and support economic development outside the largest centers.

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Moderator:
Paweł ORLIKOWSKI, Natemat Group

Panelists:

Bartosz DOMINIAK, General Director, Ministry of Digital Affairs

Marcin DERĘGOWSKI, Deputy Mayor of Rzeszów

Beata KLIMEK, Mayor of Ostrów Wielkopolski

Jarosław SARNA, Ministry of Digital Affairs

Grzegorz SUSZKO, Director of Government Solutions, Central and Eastern Europe, Visa

A meeting dedicated to local government representatives responsible for the development and digital transformation of education in their communities. We will discuss how to effectively plan and finance technology investments in schools, build coherent digital ecosystems, and strengthen teachers’ digital skills. Together, we will explore solutions that have already proven effective in practice and consider how to move from individual hardware purchases towards a long-term strategy for the digital transformation of schools.

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