Poland has long been recognized for its strong technical education and innovative spirit, but TIME’s recent list highlights just how far Polish talent can reach. From the rise of startups to scientific discoveries led by prodigies still in high school, Polish innovators are shaping the global future of technology, medicine, and AI.
Mati Staniszewski on TIME 100 AI 2025
Mati Staniszewski is the 29-year-old co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, one of the world’s most influential voice AI startups. In just three years, ElevenLabs has grown into a $3.3 billion company, with clients ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to Hollywood studios and video game developers. Its technology allows voices to be cloned, translated, and brought back to life, reshaping industries from entertainment to customer service.
Staniszewski, together with his co-founder Piotr Dabkowski, has turned ElevenLabs into a pioneer of the new era of human-computer interaction. Recent highlights for ElevenLabs include enabling Virginia congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who lost her voice to a rare disorder, to address the U.S. House, the first AI voice used in government, and bringing Darth Vader’s voice to Fortnite in partnership with James Earl Jones’ estate.
“The dream was to create a generational company,” says Staniszewski for Times magazine, adding that this ambition feels more achievable with each passing day. “Being at the frontier of audio, we treat it as a responsibility to some extent, but more than that, it’s like—how many chances in your life do you have to do something like this?”
With offices in London, New York, Warsaw, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Bangalore, and a bevy of licensing deals for famous deceased voices from Judy Garland to Richard Feynman, ElevenLabs has no intention of slowing down.
Kornelia Wieczorek on TIME Girls of the Year
Kornelia Wieczorek, a 17-year-old prodigy named one of TIME’s Girls of the Year 2025. Her journey began in classrooms and research labs, where an early spark of curiosity turned into groundbreaking discoveries.
At just 14, Wieczorek co-developed a biodegradable fertilizer that could help Europe reduce harmful nitrogen use in agriculture. Today, she is working on an impressive portfolio of projects: from medical apps that diagnose skin changes and assist in cancer therapies, to research on Parkinson’s disease treatment using stem cells. Though she hasn’t even entered university yet, Wieczorek’s determination to combine biology, technology, and medicine points toward a future where Polish scientific talent shapes global healthcare solutions.
“I’m not really sure what will happen half a year from now, but I hope to be an expert in what I’m interested in, because it’s something I really like.” She advises young scientists to wholeheartedly pursue the topics that interest them. “Get as much knowledge as possible, and dare to incorporate it together, and to work on who you would like to be in the future.”
What Businesses Can Take Away from TIME’s Rankings
Stories like those of Mati Staniszewski and Kornelia Wieczorek illustrate the extraordinary potential of Polish talent. For companies seeking highly skilled developers, Poland offers a unique blend of creativity, technical excellence, and ambition. Investing in Polish talent means partnering with the next generation of global pioneers.
Moreover, Poland’s growing tech ecosystem, with its thriving startups, research institutions, and collaborative communities, creates an environment where talent can continuously learn, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. By tapping into this pool of skilled individuals, companies gain creative partners who can help shape the future of technology.
TIME 100 AI 2025 List: Mati Staniszewski
TIME Girls of the Year 2025 List: Kornelia Wieczorek
Main Photo Source: ElevenLabs