In recent weeks, Poland has become a focal point for two global tech giants. Google and Microsoft Investments have gained significant attention, with both companies announcing ambitious plans totaling billions of dollars. These investments aim to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, as well as advance AI and cybersecurity. Google’s commitment exceeds billions of PLN, while Microsoft has pledged $700 million to enhance its cloud computing and cybersecurity infrastructure in the country.

Google Expands Its Presence in Poland with Multi-Billion Investment

Poland has emerged as a key player in Europe’s technology landscape, attracting significant investments from global giants like Google. As part of its ongoing commitment to digital transformation, AI development, and cybersecurity, Google has signed a strategic agreement with the Polish government. This move marks another step in strengthening Poland’s position as a leader in innovation within the Central and Eastern European region.

Strategic Partnership for AI Development

The first meeting between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Sundar Pichai, Google’s and Alphabet’s CEO, sparked considerable attention, revealing the company’s plans for continued collaboration with the Polish government. On February 13, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Polish Development Fund (PFR), the National Cloud Operator (OChK), and Google, focusing on the development of AI in the country’s energy, cybersecurity, and other sectors.

The goal of this agreement is to accelerate Poland’s technological transformation and establish a timeline for Google’s multi-billion dollar investments in the country. Within the next 120-180 days, Google, PFR, and OChK will outline a detailed plan for implementing AI-based solutions that will support the development of key sectors in the Polish economy. Poland’s role in the Central and Eastern European region will be emphasized, to create a strong innovation ecosystem and attract further investment. 

Google estimates that the partnership will contribute to an 8% increase in Poland’s GDP. 

Billions Invested in Digital Skills and Startups

During the meeting, Google made it clear that it would support Polish companies and the scope of training. The company plans to train an additional one million people in Poland in the skills necessary to create and implement AI-based solutions. Google will also support the local startup ecosystem through programs like Google for Startups and the available Google Cloud infrastructure, as well as the Google.org grant system. 

Google has committed to investing billions of PLN in skills development to support these efforts. Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, confirmed this investment following the signing of a letter of intent between Google and the Polish Development Fund in Warsaw. Initially, the announced figure of $5 million raised some skepticism on social media, but as it was later corrected the final amount will be much higher.

Warsaw Hub as a Prime Google Location in Europe

It is worth mentioning that Google has been operating in Poland since 2005, with over 2,000 employees spread across its offices in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław. These locations serve as key hubs for the development of cloud technologies, AI solutions, and other global projects, such as ChromeOS and Pixel. In 2022, Google further strengthened its presence by investing $700 million in acquiring and developing The Warsaw HUB office complex.

As Sundar Pichai confirmed during the meeting in Warsaw:

“We talked about the enormous opportunities for Poland in artificial intelligence. Leadership, ambition, and talent are giving Poland a new position in European innovation. Poland is currently the largest engineering hub, with over 2,000 employees. Google has been building Poland’s tech ecosystem for more than 20 years.”

Microsoft’s Major Cybersecurity Investment for Poland

Following Google, Microsoft also made an important announcement about its investments in Poland. On February 17, 2025, Microsoft revealed that it would be investing $700 million (2.8 billion PLN) in the country, focusing primarily on cybersecurity. 

Microsoft Continuous Expansion

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, alongside Microsoft’s Vice President Brad Smith, shared significant details about the company’s ongoing business expansion in Poland. This investment will span from now until summer 2026, marking the next phase of Microsoft’s growth in the country. 

In 2020, Microsoft invested $1 billion to create a cloud region in Poland, a project completed in 2023. As part of the “Polish Digital Valley” initiative, Microsoft launched Azure Poland Central, the first cloud data processing center in Central and Eastern Europe, consisting of three independent locations near Warsaw. The continuation of this collaboration was announced, with the investment in Poland’s digital infrastructure now entering a second phase. 

The current investments will focus on increasing computational power in Poland and Central Europe. It will benefit thousands of Polish scientists, managers, and startup owners, as the increase in computational power will lead to better data centers, faster and more stable cloud services, and enhanced AI support. 

Brad Smith emphasized that a third and final phase would follow this phase of investment. He underscored the importance of working step by step, with realistic and measurable goals. 

Also, to ensure Poland’s workforce stays competitive, Microsoft has committed to training 1 million Polish workers in digital skills by the end of 2025. This initiative includes training in AI, cybersecurity, and digital capacity-building for institutions and organizations, as well as facilitating workforce integration. Between 2020 and 2023, Microsoft already trained 430,000 people in Poland in digital skills. 

Strengthening Poland’s Cybersecurity

However, a major focus of Microsoft’s investment is cybersecurity. Brad Smith stated that collaboration with the Polish military aims to enhance Poland’s cybersecurity capabilities through the development of AI competencies and the optimization of groundbreaking technologies.

The $700 million investment will be used primarily to strengthen Poland’s cybersecurity in partnership with the Polish Armed Forces. This collaboration is crucial, as Poland ranks third in Europe and ninth globally in terms of vulnerability to cyberattacks. The increasing challenges to security, including the protection of upcoming presidential elections, are driving Poland’s need for advanced solutions to protect citizens from cyber threats.

These initiatives reflect Microsoft’s long-standing partnership with Poland, which has spanned 32 years. The company continues to invest in Poland’s digital infrastructure and ecosystem, supporting the development of the Polish Digital Valley and enhancing the country’s competitiveness and resilience.

AI and DeepTech: The Next Step in Poland’s Digital Future

Poland has immense potential in the creation, development, and implementation of artificial intelligence. The country is one of the largest sources of IT talent in Europe, with over 400,000 specialists in the field. 

“From Google’s perspective, Poland is a leader in Europe and a particularly attractive place for investment—investments in the future, in security—this is something we truly appreciate,” said the Prime Minister. 

Google and Microsoft Investments in Poland are not the only ones we should pay attention to. The Digitalization Strategy for 2025-2035 allocates 5% of the country’s GDP for this purpose. The latest investments include: 

• The construction of Poland’s fastest AI supercomputer in Kraków, supported by PLN 140 million from the government. 

• Another AI factory will be built in Poznań, with PLN 200 million in government funding. 

• A DeepTech fund worth PLN 300 million will be established to ensure the development of cybersecurity, space technologies, and artificial intelligence. 

March: A Month for Continued Discussions  

March will be a month filled with further meetings between the government and individuals engaged in Poland’s IT sector. These discussions will involve major Polish companies, startups, and experts, and will take place at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“March will be a month of meetings between the government and myself personally with the Polish IT sector. I’m talking about large Polish companies as well as smaller ones, startups, and experts and technicians,” the Prime Minister announced.

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Main Photo Source: KPRM | 2025.02.13 Spotkanie z CEO Alphabet i Google | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0