From: mk_thisisit
Professor Piotr Moncarz, a distinguished Polish engineer from Stanford University and a co-creator of the first Polish-American Hub, highlights critical issues and opportunities concerning the role of Polish universities and science in the nation’s economic development [00:00:13], [00:00:08]. He emphasizes that while Polish science has immense potential, it faces significant challenges that hinder its contribution to the country’s economic growth [00:01:13].
Current State and Challenges
A few days before the interview, the Polish Academy of Sciences tweeted that “Polish science is drowning” [00:00:24]. Professor Moncarz acknowledges the danger in this statement, noting that every time Polish talent helps build something new abroad, Poland loses the chance to build it domestically [00:00:30]. This is because an original creation cannot be duplicated [00:02:51].
The Export of Polish Scientific Talent
Poland currently has a “zero” presence in various international science and technology categories, which is described as “terrifying” [00:00:53], [00:00:57], [00:07:11]. While individual Polish scientists and technologists excel globally, “Poland as such does not exist” on the international science and technology stage [00:04:41], [00:04:59]. For example, Poles actively participate in global artificial intelligence (AI) development, but they do so in international teams, not primarily in Poland [00:01:27], [00:01:30].
This talent drain means that while Polish-educated individuals contribute at the highest levels, Poland gains disproportionately little from the investment made in their education and infrastructure [00:01:42], [00:02:00], [00:02:06]. Global companies like Google, Intel, Volkswagen, and Siemens have laboratories in Poland, leveraging the best Polish talent for their products sold under their own brands [00:03:15], [00:03:27], [00:03:33]. However, it is rarely known that the “pearl” or “diamond” of the product was created or cut in Poland [00:03:48], [00:03:52].
Financial and Structural Barriers
A significant obstacle is the low wages at universities, which makes it increasingly difficult to convince outstanding graduates and academics to stay and conduct research in Poland [00:11:00], [00:11:28]. The external market does not adequately cooperate with universities to enable professors and their teams to raise their living standards to the expected quality of life [00:11:29], [00:11:45]. A PhD graduate in AI from Stanford, for instance, can earn up to a million dollars a year as a first salary, making it hard for Polish institutions to compete [00:11:51], [00:12:04].
Another structural issue is the fragmentation of Polish science, which does not function as a cohesive body [00:09:02], [00:09:06]. Unlike American universities, which operate within an economic structure highly receptive to their output, Poland lacks the “suction pumps” to pull the best ideas from university science into economic products [00:09:38], [00:09:49].
Polish Strengths and Potential
Despite the challenges, Poland possesses significant strengths that could position it as a leader in AI and broader technology [00:01:13].
Innate Talent and Education
Poles demonstrate exceptional talent, particularly in mathematics and computer science. Evidence includes the participation of Poles in global AI development [00:01:23] and the fact that four Poles were among the top ten in OpenAI’s ranking [00:10:36], [00:10:39]. The University of Warsaw is rightly proud of its contribution to this [00:10:43]. Poland consistently ranks among the leading countries in international subject olympiads in mathematics, chemistry, and computer science [00:17:47], [00:18:00]. This is supported by a strong tradition of excellent preparation in these subjects [00:17:53], [00:19:06].
Creativity and Resilience
Polish culture fosters immense creativity, potentially stemming from historical circumstances that demanded resourcefulness for survival [00:19:17], [00:19:23], [00:19:30]. The saying “a Pole can” is not “stupid” but reflects the ability to survive and thrive in very difficult conditions [00:19:46], [00:19:53]. Many Poles who left Poland with nothing have become successful entrepreneurs and leaders abroad [00:19:57], [00:20:06].
Modern Infrastructure
Poland has invested in great laboratories equipped with the latest devices, which can provide a fertile ground for research and development [00:14:10], [00:14:17].
Path Forward and Initiatives
To transform these strengths into economic value, Poland must take the challenge of retaining talent seriously [00:02:28], [00:02:30].
Fostering Domestic Innovation
The goal should be to create structures that enable great Polish talents to achieve significant accomplishments in Poland and showcase them to the world as originating from Poland [00:02:58], [00:03:09]. This includes finding ways to allow scientists to earn better wages and feel satisfied with their work at home, rather than having to emigrate [00:13:02], [00:13:10].
The Polish-American Hub
The Polish-American Hub, “Poland.pl,” was created to address the lack of Polish representation in the economic structures of global innovation centers [00:05:12], [00:05:24]. Poland is notably one of the few EU countries without official state representation in Silicon Valley, unlike France, Germany, and Spain, which have numerous centers for science, business, and investment [00:06:01], [00:06:33], [00:06:39]. The Hub aims to showcase Poland’s intellect and entrepreneurship on the global stage [00:05:43]. It operates like an enterprise, ready to sign contracts and deliver expected results for Polish clients, including universities, cities, and companies [00:25:05], [00:25:13], [00:25:57]. Professor Moncarz believes this Hub is Poland’s de facto formal public representation in Silicon Valley, similar to those run by local diaspora supported by their governments [00:26:20], [00:26:45].
Enhancing Social Position of Scientists
While universities are becoming more dynamic, the social position of scientists and professors in Poland has not improved [00:15:01], [00:15:08], [00:15:14]. However, a recent case involving Professor Piotr Sankowski and the fate of the Polish AI institute, which garnered widespread public interest and led to government action, suggests a potential shift in societal perception [00:15:56], [00:16:08], [00:16:29]. This indicates that society may begin to pay more attention to science that creates economic value and improves the quality of life [00:17:07], [00:17:11].
Embracing Interdependence
A key lesson from the American model is the ability to work integratively towards a common goal [00:22:22]. This interdependence is not a burden but a source of strength, especially in building a civil society [00:22:59], [00:23:27]. Poland needs to better understand and embrace this positive element beyond mere patriotism, applying it to collaborative work within companies and institutions [00:23:35], [00:23:50].
International Comparisons and Future Outlook
Professor Moncarz notes that Europe has “slept through a huge period of technological development” [00:28:35], particularly in computerization, and is now catching up [00:28:43], [00:29:02]. While Europe leads in AI regulation, it lags significantly in the creation of important technologies [00:29:10], [00:29:20]. He is skeptical about the European Union’s excessive bureaucracy, which he believes stifles innovation [00:29:36], [00:30:03]. For opening up to new solutions, the United States remains a better model due to its less regulated environment [00:34:23], [00:34:28].
Professor Moncarz views transatlantic relations as a shared “culturally economic element” [00:28:08]. He suggests that cooperation, rather than competition, is essential for both Europe and the United States to maintain their global impact [00:28:14], [00:28:18]. America, he asserts, cannot play its past role without stronger cooperation with Europe, and vice versa [00:28:21], [00:28:31].