Already 35% of companies have reduced recruitment for positions that do not require prior experience as a result of implementing artificial intelligence, while 40% of employees say they feel concerned or sceptical about AI.* At the same time, the data show that the scenario of mass layoffs has not materialised: only 5% of industrial companies using AI have reported a decline in employment linked directly to its implementation.**
According to experts in AI and automation from SAIO, an ING-owned company, the Polish labour market has entered a new phase of transformation. Artificial intelligence is not so much replacing people as changing the way companies hire, the skills they expect, and the way work is organised.
For several years, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence has focused on one question: will AI take people’s jobs? The latest data, however, paint a far more complex picture. More and more organisations are using AI to automate repetitive processes, analyse data, manage documents and handle customer service, but the impact of these technologies on employment is currently mainly indirect.
“The IT labour market is shifting towards hybrid skill sets. The most sought-after professionals today are those who understand data, business processes and the capabilities of AI. There are still far too few such people,” says Przemysław Lewicki, CEO of SAIO.
AI is no longer an experiment
Just two years ago, many organisations treated artificial intelligence as a technological curiosity. Today, an increasing number of companies are moving from pilot projects to practical implementation. As many as 25% of businesses have already completed at least one AI deployment, while another 40% are currently in the process of implementing such solutions. Moreover, 78% of organisations say they have achieved the expected business benefits from using artificial intelligence.**
Experts point to improved service quality, cited by 42% of companies, as the most common benefit. Other frequently reported effects include greater operational scale, mentioned by 36%, cost reductions at 31%, and revenue growth at 29%. At the same time, 62% of companies report process-efficiency gains ranging from 11% to 40%.*
“For many organisations, artificial intelligence has stopped being an innovation project and is becoming part of everyday business operations. Management boards are increasingly looking at AI through the lens of productivity, quality and scalability. However, the companies that truly unlock its potential will not be determined by technology alone, but by the readiness of their organisation, processes and people, as well as by the development of relevant skills,” says Lewicki.
Skills are becoming the biggest challenge
Although investment in AI is growing, companies increasingly say that technology itself is no longer the main barrier. According to the research, only 13% of businesses currently invest in AI-related employee training,* even though skills are among the most frequently cited requirements for the further development of artificial intelligence projects.
This is also confirmed by analyses from the Polish Economic Institute. Companies that use AI tend to have stronger digital skills, a higher level of digitalisation and more extensive international cooperation. By contrast, businesses that do not use AI are much more likely to identify skills shortages and the need for training as major barriers to digital development.**
Poland is still using only part of AI’s potential
Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence, the majority of Polish companies are still at the beginning of their AI journey. According to the analysis, as many as 77% of businesses that do not currently use AI do not plan to implement such solutions until they become necessary.**
SAIO experts warn that this could lead to a widening competitive gap between organisations investing in automation and those postponing decisions. This is particularly significant given that 72% of companies plan to increase their AI spending over the next 18 months, while for 58% of businesses, implementing artificial intelligence is already a high or very high strategic priority.*
The figures suggest that AI’s most immediate effect on the labour market may not be widespread job cuts, but a gradual redefinition of entry-level roles, recruitment practices and the skills needed to build a career. Companies that invest early in both technology and workforce development may be better positioned to benefit from the shift, while those delaying AI adoption risk falling behind.
- EY report, “How Polish Companies Are Implementing AI? Year-on-Year Analysis – Edition 2”, 2025.
** Polish Economic Institute, “AI in Polish Enterprises”, Point Paper 5/2025.
