Building an AI delivery centre in Poland as a remedy for AI talent shortages
The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is reshaping the business environment in many sectors. Many industry leaders are investing in AI development to seize its potential and build a competitive advantage. Together with increasing investments and a growing number of projects comes a higher demand for specialised experts. The answer to shortages in the AI talent pool may lie in nearshore or offshore collaboration with external consultants and technology partners. That’s why today we take a look at how Poland fares on the AI development map and define why it is worth investing in an AI delivery centre there.
Rising investments in AI adoption
AI adoption is increasingly seen as a must-have and a key point in building business growth strategies. So, it’s no surprise that the pace and scale of investments in this field are continuously rising. As reported by EY, 88% of corporate leaders and decision-makers allocate 5% or more of their total budget to artificial intelligence and plan to significantly increase that number in the coming years. These plans also match Statista’s predictions that the global AI market will grow by nearly $60 billion next year alone and reach over $243 billion in value.
All these figures indicate how much of a strategic priority artificial intelligence is and the potential it has to revolutionise various industries. They also show that companies are increasingly aware that early investment in creating and growing an AI team can be crucial to gaining business advantage.
Addressing talent deficit with external AI delivery centre
With such an investment boom and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence solutions, the demand for experienced AI professionals is also increasing rapidly. The relatively small talent pool of highly specialised experts in this field in Western countries causes fierce competition and challenges in finding suitable candidates.
Thomson Reuters states that the employment gap is estimated to reach around 50% of all AI positions needed. And according to a recent PwC report, the number of job openings in the US for workers with AI experience is growing 3.5 times faster than for all other positions. Moreover, other reports indicate that up to 56% of senior AI specialists see the shortage of new, competent AI workers as the biggest obstacle to the smooth adoption of AI innovations.
For many Western companies, an effective way to address the talent shortage in their markets is to partner with external software companies and consultants specialising in AI from Eastern Europe, e.g., Poland. This approach provides easy access to a large group of experienced professionals – their knowledge, expertise and in-depth understanding of the latest technologies, trends and best practices.
Importantly, such experience is paired not only with theoretical or academic knowledge but also with a pre-existing practical background in implementing AI solutions and a full understanding of what such a process involves and how best to go through it. The combination of hands-on experience, know-how, and a convenient location also ensures a balance of high quality with cultural compatibility and ease of communication.
It’s been very interesting [to work with Spyrosoft]. The last nine months have been enjoyable, and the people that I’ve been working with have been fantastic. The commitment and the language – I was massively impressed with how good people’s communication skills were. Some of the skills that you guys have are in short supply, not just in the UK but globally. – Richard Mellors, Principal Product Manager at MHR
Nearshore or offshore collaboration and outsourcing to countries such as Poland allows you to significantly increase the available pool of AI talent from various specialities. And therefore, it facilitates and speeds up the building of a comprehensive AI team, ensures knowledge transfer to the organisation, and supports the overall execution of the artificial intelligence strategy.
Discover why investing in an outsourced AI delivery centre is a good idea >>
AI delivery centre in the BOT engagement model
Given that AI development is a strategic asset and key competitive advantage for your company, you may be hesitant about working with external partners. However, it is worth noting that collaboration in the BOT model allows you to combine the best advantages of an in-house team and an outsourced one. The Build-Operate-Transfer model offers easy access to an extensive pool of AI experts, quick team setup, and greater operational scalability while ensuring the development of your internal resources and keeping full control over all processes and intellectual property.
Outsource AI delivery centre to Poland
As demand for AI services grows exponentially, more and more companies are investing in developing AI hubs in fast-growing countries like Poland. The country is already well known for its extensive IT talent pool of educated and skilled professionals, and the situation is no different in terms of AI development.
Big companies such as AstraZeneca, Samsung, and Google have been investing in R&D and data centres in Poland for some time now. Additionally, Polish engineers are known internationally as co-founders, top researchers, and high-level scientists at places like OpenAI, Snowflake, and Klarna. It’s no wonder that representatives of major technology companies speak very highly of Poland and its specialists.
Source: Microsoft President Brad Smith: Poland is an ideal place for tech business growth
Source: OpenAI CEO Sam Altmanon Polish AI talents
Poland’s great potential in the AI development can also be proven by the example of local start-up – CampusAI, which recently received funding worth PLN 40 million. The company creates an educational platform that trains new leaders in the ethical and professional use of AI. Its innovative approach focuses on a blended learning method that adapts to users’ individual needs regardless of their level of knowledge and experience. With the recently gathered funding, the company aims to foster talents and expand the professional AI community even more.
What’s more, the Polish government itself sees great value in developing AI innovations and resources, and intends to allocate about PLN 1 billion (€230 million) to establish an AI fund. As part of this investment, it will also dedicate some funds to the development of infrastructure and the creation of an AI factory operating at the innovation centres of local universities.
With the growing popularity of this technology, new investments and high educational standards in academic centres, the number of experts involved in analysing, developing and implementing artificial intelligence is steadily growing throughout the country.
Thanks to the vast pool of engineers and developers, Poland is an attractive option that combines high quality with an affordable price. The country’s location and currency, combined with great professionals and experience in outsourcing, make it an exceptionally welcoming destination for companies that want to maximise their AI capabilities without straining the budget.
Benefits of investing in an AI centre in Poland
Skilled Workforce
Poland is renowned for its highly trained and well-educated tech professionals. With a strong tradition of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as many prestigious universities and technical institutes, the country provides top-tier graduates. Thanks to a large talent pool and a steadily growing AI sector, Poland already has well-proven professionals with hands-on experience in developing and implementing artificial intelligence, making it an excellent choice for establishing an AI centre of excellence.
Cost-effectiveness
One of the most significant benefits of outsourcing to Poland is a favourable cost-to-quality ratio. Compared to North America and Western Europe, the rates in Poland are considerably lower. This advantage goes beyond salaries and includes lower operational and infrastructure expenses, allowing your company to achieve significant savings without compromising the quality of AI initiatives.
Cultural compatibility
Poland’s strong cultural compatibility with Western, Central and Eastern Europe and North America facilitates smooth communication and collaboration. The local business environment is characterised by professionalism, reliability, and a strong work ethic. English is widely spoken in the industry, reducing language barriers and ensuring efficient and clear communication. This cultural alignment helps foster seamless integration between teams and minimises misunderstandings, contributing to the overall success of outsourced projects.
Proximity to major markets
With its strategic location in the heart of a continent, Poland offers excellent proximity to major markets in Western and Eastern Europe. This geographic advantage allows for easy travel and mutual compatibility or alignment across time zones, even with companies from the US. All of that is crucial for real-time collaboration, smooth communication and quick decision-making in the AI project.
Over to you
Given the high demand for artificial intelligence expertise, Poland is an excellent location for investment. With access to a large pool of AI specialists and a favourable cost-to-quality ratio, Polish tech companies like Spyrosoft can contribute to expanding your AI capabilities and gaining a strategic edge for your organisation.
Creating an AI delivery centre with Spyrosoft in the BOT model provides access to the necessary expertise, builds up your internal resources, and allows you to maintain full control over the IP. So, if you seek AI assistance, contact us via the form below and let’s see how our team can address your needs.
About the author
Daniel Zaborowski
Director of BOT
CONTACT US
