A new report reveals that while 31.3% of Polish firms use AI, 68.8% remain at the declaration stage, hindered by implementation challenges and data concerns.
AI Transitions from Concept to Tool
AI has moved beyond conference discussions and sales pitches, becoming a practical tool for reducing work time, lowering costs, and automating processes where effectively implemented. The latest “Report 2026: AI in Business Processes” focuses on these areas.
The report highlights which industries are seeing tangible benefits from AI and provides real-world implementation examples, featuring insights from those directly using AI to improve their work.
AI: Talk vs. Action
Market data indicates a gap between AI discussion and actual deployment in Poland. Approximately 31.3% of companies currently utilize AI, while a significant 68.8% have only expressed intent without concrete implementation. An estimated 80% of AI projects fail to progress beyond the proof-of-concept stage.
Success hinges on aligning technology with business processes, rather than the technology itself.
Measurable Benefits Drive AI Investment
The primary driver for AI adoption is demonstrable results.
Industry Leaders in AI Adoption
Artificial intelligence is a key driver of organizational transformation, impacting nearly all areas of business activity.
Anna Podlewska, Director of Strategic HR Initiatives at Credit Agricole, notes the broad applicability of AI.
AI Applications in Daily Operations
AI is finding applications in numerous aspects of daily firm operations. For example:
HR as an Early AI Adopter
HR departments are among the fastest adopters of AI solutions. The “AI in Business Processes” report indicates that 77% of HR professionals already use technological tools, with recruitment agencies reaching nearly 98%.
AI-driven automation in HR extends beyond recruitment to include onboarding, skills analysis, and document management, automating 60-80% of administrative processes.
Navigating AI Risks and Regulations
Despite the benefits, proper oversight, data quality, and transparency are crucial when using AI. Mateusz Skiba, FDI Country Executive at Grafton Recruitment, emphasizes key areas for further development.
While cost, privacy, data security, and implementation difficulties were primary concerns in 2024, current anxieties center on privacy, data protection, algorithmic errors, and AI system bias. These concerns classify HR AI solutions as high-risk under the EU AI Act.
Real-World AI Implementation Examples
Practical experience demonstrates that AI directly impacts operational efficiency and customer service quality. VeloBank’s implementation serves as an example.
Przemysław Koch, Member of the Board for Operations and IT, shared VeloBank’s experience for the “AI in Business Processes” report.
VeloBank’s observations reflect a broader market trend—the experimental phase has ended, and a systematic approach to implementing generative AI solutions has begun. AI has become a permanent part of the organization’s data architecture, governance models, and operational structures.
AI in Sales and Workflow Automation
AI’s potential extends beyond the financial sector. Suncode, developer of the Workflow AI platform, highlights the technology’s significant potential in sales. A Polish manufacturer of composite decking successfully automated quote handling and sales processes using AI.
Krzysztof Szorcz, the implementation manager, outlined the process:
The process now operates in five steps: receiving the inquiry, data extraction, AI analysis and classification, draft offer creation, and finalization—sending the offer in PDF format if approved by a company employee.
This implementation resulted in 100% handling of quote requests and other measurable effects.
AI and the Evolution of Work
The benefits of AI implementation are accompanied by a shift in organizational paradigms. Companies are moving away from rigid, linear schemes toward flexible, intelligent systems that learn and adapt in real-time. Anna Wójcicka, Director of Service Standards and Sales Management at an innovative telecommunications firm, provides an example.
AI not only streamlines existing processes but also redefines them, demanding new approaches to work, skills, and management. Transparent communication of company plans and investment in employee development are therefore essential.
Automating Processes with AI
Process automation is entering a new phase. Electronic document workflow based on simple OCR and document transfer organizes the process but still requires user involvement at many stages.
AI-powered systems go further—they not only digitize documents but also understand their content, make decisions, and initiate subsequent actions. This allows AI to handle tasks, shifting the user’s role from operational to supervisory. Paweł Lizakowski, CTO of Suncode and an expert in AI-powered electronic workflow and business process automation, explains this in the “AI in Business Processes” report.
Modern AI platforms can automatically:
This enables automation of up to 70–90% of document handling tasks, reducing processing time by 30–70%. Organizations implementing these solutions also report a significant reduction in errors and improved process compliance.
The integration of AI with workflow platforms is also growing in importance. Combining automated document processing with intelligent process management enables end-to-end automation.
Legal and Ethical Considerations for AI
Legal and ethical issues are as important as the technological aspects of AI implementation.
Experts agree that AI implementation rarely involves compliance with a single law. It requires a comprehensive approach, considering regulations such as the AI Act, NIS2 Directive, and Data Act.
Wojciech Biernacki, leader of the new technologies law team at Grant Thornton, emphasizes this in the “AI in Business Processes” report.
From an ethical perspective, companies should pay particular attention to data processing agreements (DPAs)—especially guarantees against training models on customer data and the location of servers within the European Economic Area. Experienced legal departments play a key role in designing secure and compliant solutions during the planning phase. Wojciech Biernacki adds:
Artificial intelligence is a train that has already left the station. Organizations that treat it as part of their strategy, not just a technological tool, are building an advantage that will determine their market “to be or not to be” in the coming years.