POLAND – Unlocking the Future: How can new technologies drive productivity and economic growth for everyone?

Concerns about Europe’s standing in the global tech landscape are gaining traction among Polish citizens. Insights from our 2024 Voices – Citizens Speak Up! study points to an urgent call to remain competitive in swiftly evolving business environment that requires adapting to technological advancements and embracing innovation and digital skills across diverse sectors.

Our latest panel discussion, “Unlocking the Future: How can new technologies drive productivity and economic growth for everyone?”, brought together Michał Wawrykiewicz, MEP (European People’s Party), Marta Poslad, Head of Public Policy & Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe at Google, and Marek Tatała, Head of the Economic Freedom Foundation, to react to this call.

The discussion addressed:

• Modernise Europe’s Tech Landscape: How can Europe close the gap with global tech giants by upgrading infrastructure and fostering competitive tech companies?

Europe must embrace innovation and simplify regulation to stay competitive in the global tech race, argued Michał Wawrykiewicz. He highlighted how Europe’s economy relies on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are often stifled by overregulation. Europe, he said, must strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting fundamental rights. The Draghi and Letta reports were cited as blueprints for reindustrialising Europe and levelling the playing field.

• Navigate AI’s Opportunities and Risks: How can AI drive economic growth while addressing concerns around job displacement and the need for workforce reskilling?

AI is both an accelerator for innovation and a challenge to the social contract, said Marta Poslad. She acknowledged AI’s potential to boost creativity, tackle labour shortages, and open new markets, particularly for countries like Poland. However, this potential must be coupled with efforts to build a new social contract that includes responsible governance, workforce reskilling, and shared benefits.

• Boost Digital Productivity: What role can digitalisation, education, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises play in enhancing productivity and reducing internal bureaucracy?

Digitalisation is key to unlocking productivity across Europe, especially in Poland, where small businesses still rely on outdated manual processes, pointed Marek Tatala. By adopting basic digital tools, SMEs could increase efficiency, expand services, and boost profits.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.