Artificial Intelligence in Poland’s public administration

A study by the Polish Economic Institute shows that as many as 60.4 percent of Poles expect a wider use of Artificial intelligence (AI) in public services, especially in automating processes and improving their accessibility. Despite the early stage of development, the AI segment in Poland’s administration has the potential to transform. The key question is: how to use this potential while minimizing risk?

Public administration in Poland is increasingly reaching for digital solutions to meet the challenges of the present day. Artificial intelligence opens up new opportunities for it, from speeding up administrative processes to improving service accessibility. According to the report of the Polish Economic Institute (PIE) “Poles’ attitude to the use of artificial intelligence in public administration”, Poles express a positive attitude towards AI, although there is no shortage of concerns about privacy protection and data security.

The current state and potential of AI in  Poland’s public administration

Digital public services in Poland already play a key role in facilitating access to administration. Solutions such as mObywatel* or ePIT** are highly rated by citizens – according to the PIE report, as many as 92.5 percent of respondents indicate that they facilitate the handling of official matters. These technologies provide the foundation on which more advanced AI-based systems can be built.

AI is perceived by Poles as a tool that supports administration, but does not take full control over decision-making processes. Respondent’s  surveyed indicate that the greatest potential of AI lies in applications such as automatic form filling, providing information to citizens in their native language, and warning of  dangerous weather situations. These features are appreciated for their practicality and ability to simplify day-to-day interactions with public administration.

At the same time, citizens are willing to pay for useful functionalities of public applications using AI. They place the most value on options that offer process automation and service personalization, provided  they maitain full control over their data. This proves the growing acceptance of AI, but also the need to adapt implementations to specific user expectations.

Selected challenges

The use of artificial intelligence in public administration in Poland is associated with many challenges that need to be solved in order to maximize the potential of this technology.

One of the biggest concerns is privacy protection. According to a report by the Polish Economic Institute, as many as 32 percent of respondents are concerned that the implementation of AI may lead to breaches related to the processing of personal data and to a lack of control over the way it is used. Such concerns also affect the level of trust in public systems – only 47.9 percent of Poles believe that data stored by state-owned applications is secure, which clearly indicates the need for greater transparency.

An additional challenge is the lack of a coherent strategy for implementing artificial intelligence. Currently, activities are dispersed and limited to individual initiatives, such as local projects using chatbots or applications that automate the completion of documents. Without a comprehensive AI implementation plan, public administrations may struggle to achieve the full effectiveness of their solutions.

A shortage of digital competences among both citizens and officials is also a problem, which limits the possibility of effectively introducing advanced tools. The report points out that a lack of proper preparation can hamper development and limit the potential benefits of automating administrative processes.

Examples of the use of AI in Poland’s public administration

Citizen support chatbots

In Poland, the first AI tools appeared in the form of chatbots, which are designed to support citizens in dealing with official matters. An example is the pilot project implemented in Gdynia, where a chatbot on a city platform provides information on local public services. This tool allows residents to quickly find answers to questions about vehicle registration, application or municipal fees.

Auto-fill forms

A study by the Polish Economic Institute showed that citizens particularly value the function of automatic filling in of documents. In such solutions, AI uses data collected in government registers, which allows for quick generation of ready-made applications, e.g. in tax processes. Although this solution is currently only  functioning to a limited extent, it is highly rated by users.

Predictive systems in crisis management

The report highlights the potential of AI in crisis management. The predictive models used can analyse meteorological data in real time and predict hazards such as floods or extreme weather conditions. AI warns citizens of upcoming threats via text messages or notifications in city applications. Such solutions are already in place in some Polish regions.

Digital Health Assistant

In the area of healthcare, AI supports citizens through applications that allow remote access to their history of treatment. Thanks to AI systems, patients can also obtain recommendations for visits to specialists or prepare medical documentation needed for drug reimbursement.

Poland in the European context

Poland, although at an early stage of AI implementation, has a chance to stand out from the region. The high awareness of citizens (98.8 percent of respondents have heard of AI) and the willingness to invest in digital public services (supported by 66.7 percent of respondents) are solid foundations. However, as the report shows, it will be crucial to develop ethical rules for the implementation of AI that gain public acceptance and comply with EU regulations, such as the AI Act.

Poland can learn from countries that have implemented more advanced AI tools. Estonia, known as a leader in e-government, is using AI systems in lawsuits, and Canada is developing data analysis models that support political decisions.

The AI sector in Poland’s public administration is at the beginning of its journey. The conclusions of the PIE report highlight the huge potential, but also indicate challenges that need to be overcome – from ensuring data protection to building public trust. Poland is not yet a leader in this area, but with the right strategy and a transparent approach, it can become an example of the effective use of artificial intelligence in public administration. Cooperation with citizens and international exchange of experience will be crucial for the further development of this segment.

* free mobile application issued by the Ministry of Digital Affairs (formerly by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister) offering access to digital official services and electronic documents

** a service that allows you to settle tax returns, created by the Ministry of Finance

Source: Polish Economic Institute, Poles’ attitude to the use of artificial intelligence in public administration