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BIELIK.AI

Lecture: Bielik.ai - Polish model, real business benefits

Sebastian Kondracki, Katarzyna Starosławska, Dr Joanna Mercik

Sebastian
Kondracki

Director of Innovation at Deviniti. Specializes in large language models (LLMs) and generative artificial intelligence systems in business. Member of GRAI and leader of the AI research group at SoDA. Author of numerous industry reports, including "Open Data and Artificial Intelligence" (GRAI) and "Artificial Intelligence SumUp for Business 2022". Co-creator of the SpeakLeash project. It's repository is a toolkit for building the largest high-quality dataset in Poland (>1 TB) and developing a large language model. Creator of Bielik 7B, a compact LLM trained on Polish data (including both base and instruction-tuned models).

Paula
Januszkiewicz

Lecture: Cybersecurity Unleashed: Protecting Data in an AI World

Paula Januszkiewicz is the Founder and CEO of CQURE and CQURE Academy, companies she established back in 2008. She is also an Enterprise Security MVP, honorable Microsoft Regional Director, and a world-class cybersecurity expert, consulting Customers worldwide. In 2017, Paula graduated from Harvard Business School. She delivers keynotes and sessions at the biggest world conferences such as RSA, Black Hat, Microsoft Ignite, SecTor Canada, Australian Cyber Conference, GISEC, GITEX, LEAP, and many others. She is often a top-rated speaker, including being chosen as the No. 1 Speaker at Microsoft Ignite (among 1,100 speakers at a conference with 26,000 attendees) and at Black Hat Asia 2019. At the RSA Conference, two of her sessions were among the top 5 best rated. Paula is known for her unique stage presence that is always well-received among diverse audiences, often gathering thousands of people! Paula has over 20 years of experience in the cybersecurity field, performing penetration tests, architecture consulting, trainings, and seminars. Every year, she takes over 200 flights to provide cybersecurity services for CQURE’s Customers. Paula and her Team also design security awareness programs for various organizations, including awareness sessions for top management. Together, they create various security tools (CQTools) supporting penetration tests, incident response, and forensics, which are shared with the community. Paula is a member of the Technical Advisory Board at the Royal Bank of Scotland/Natwest. And to top it all off, she has access to the source code of Windows!

Dr Maciej
Kawecki

Online lecture: The Unsolvable AI Problem

Director of the Innovation Center at WSB Merito University. President of the Lem Institute. Technology popularizer and science journalist. Creator of the YouTube technology channel This is IT. Winner of the Grand Video Award from PRESS magazine. He focuses on the human being — someone who understands that technology is both just a tool and a powerful means in their hands, one that should be used to positively change the world. He promotes what is Polish and innovative.

Karol
Szymański

Director of the Innovation Office and CPO of the AI and R&D Division at PKO Bank Polski. Responsible for strategic initiatives in the areas of artificial intelligence, fintech, blockchain, metaverse, and startup collaboration. Co-creator of the bank's dedicated AI Team, which oversees the implementation of AI-based solutions across the entire organization. For over a decade, he has been driving innovation in Poland's largest bank.

Marcin
Pęczek

Product & Price Manager at BMW Group Poland. Has been working in the automotive industry and with BMW Group for 9 years, gaining experience across various service departments. For the past 4 years, has been responsible for pricing and product management for BMW and MINI.

Dr Joanna
Mercik

Doctor of Humanities, assistant professor at the University of Silesia, historian and sociologist specializing in education, social communication, and the implementation of new technologies in the learning process. Member of the AI working group at the Ministry of Digital Affairs, leader of the GRAI section: Awareness, Competence, and Digital Hygiene. Actively involved in the Spichlerz community, co-coordinator of the Citizen Bielik project. Author of numerous scientific publications and speaker at national and international conferences on education and technology. She has many years of experience in teacher education, conducting training in GenAI, academic didactics, and modern methods of knowledge transfer. Graduate of postgraduate studies in Artificial Intelligence in Business and the Public Sector (Warsaw School of Economics). She defended a thesis titled "Artificial Intelligence in Academic Didactics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Aspects". She collaborates with cultural and scientific institutions as well as professional development centers. Recipient of educational grants in the fields of AI, gamification, and science popularization, and content coordinator of the gaming zone at the Silesian Science Festival.

Katarzyna
Starosławska

Katarzyna Starosławska is an expert in data and artificial intelligence with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, strategy, and innovation. She advises management teams, public institutions, and European Union bodies on building digital competencies and responsibly implementing digital solutions at both national and European levels. She supports organizations in designing and executing data-driven strategies, ensuring that solutions are not only technically sound but also ethically applied and aligned with business goals, regulations, and user needs. Her mission is to transform data into actionable insights and lasting value through interoperability, data quality, and cross-sector collaboration. She is also a frequent speaker, panelist, and moderator at conferences, as well as a facilitator of workshops on leveraging data and artificial intelligence in innovation, growth, and building competitive advantage.

Paula
Januszkiewicz

Paula Januszkiewicz is the Founder and CEO of CQURE and CQURE Academy, companies she established back in 2008. She is also an Enterprise Security MVP, honorable Microsoft Regional Director, and a world-class cybersecurity expert, consulting Customers worldwide. In 2017, Paula graduated from Harvard Business School. She delivers keynotes and sessions at the biggest world conferences such as RSA, Black Hat, Microsoft Ignite, SecTor Canada, Australian Cyber Conference, GISEC, GITEX, LEAP, and many others. She is often a top-rated speaker, including being chosen as the No. 1 Speaker at Microsoft Ignite (among 1,100 speakers at a conference with 26,000 attendees) and at Black Hat Asia 2019. At the RSA Conference, two of her sessions were among the top 5 best rated. Paula is known for her unique stage presence that is always well-received among diverse audiences, often gathering thousands of people! Paula has over 20 years of experience in the cybersecurity field, performing penetration tests, architecture consulting, trainings, and seminars. Every year, she takes over 200 flights to provide cybersecurity services for CQURE’s Customers. Paula and her Team also design security awareness programs for various organizations, including awareness sessions for top management. Together, they create various security tools (CQTools) supporting penetration tests, incident response, and forensics, which are shared with the community. Paula is a member of the Technical Advisory Board at the Royal Bank of Scotland/Natwest. And to top it all off, she has access to the source code of Windows!

Magdalena
Wilento

Deputy Director of the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin. A graduate of the University of Szczecin, the Academy of Art in Szczecin, and postgraduate studies in cultural and media management. For over a decade, she has been associated with the Szczecin Philharmonic, where she has produced hundreds of jazz, symphonic, and cross-over concerts in collaboration with artists and producers from Poland and abroad. She is a producer of albums and artistic events, including the 2023 Fryderyk-nominated album Coincidence. She also has a rich artistic background as a jazz vocalist, musical actress, and performer of popular music, having toured in China and appeared at jazz festivals across Poland. She gained radio experience at Polish Radio Szczecin as co-author of the program Środek Jazzu. From 2023 to 2024, she served as Acting Director of the Szczecin Philharmonic, and since September 2024, she has held the position of Deputy Director.

Adrian
Gwoździej

Machine Learning Engineer with professional experience in industries such as cybersecurity, banking, and finance. Currently affiliated with the Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet AGH, working on projects in natural language processing and computer vision. Co-founder of the SpeakLeash Foundation, co-creator, and member of the team training the Polish large language model Bielik.

Jarosław
Jaz

Editor-in-Chief of "Głos Dziennika Pomorza" (Polska Press Group). A media manager with over 20 years of editorial and digital experience, previously associated with "Głos Szczeciński" and GS24.pl, where he co-created the transformation of online content and formats. After a four-year break in local government administration (serving as spokesperson for the Mayor of Świnoujście), he returned to Polska Press, taking the helm of the regional title covering Western Pomerania on October 7, 2024. He is currently leading a newsroom modernization program that includes process standardization, audience analytics, and the implementation of AI tools (editorial assistance, task automation, content verification), while maintaining a strong focus on ethics, fact-checking, and the local social mission.

Dr Magdalena
Ławicka

As Chief Operating Officer of the IT Cluster - one of the largest clusters of technology companies in Poland. She is responsible for the organization's strategic growth, building long-term partnerships, and shaping the development directions of the regional innovation ecosystem. She leads numerous initiatives that support the competitiveness and growth of technology companies while strengthening collaboration between business, academia, and public administration. At the same time, as an Assistant Professor at the University of Szczecin, she is involved in research and development projects, focusing on the practical aspects of knowledge and technology transfer. She specializes in team management, the creation and implementation of organizational strategies, and the initiation of knowledge transfer processes in the context of dynamic technological change. Deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and cross-industry networking, she focuses on building lasting partnerships between the business, academic, and public sectors.

Robert
Sikora

Currently Lead Software Engineer and Team Leader of the Navigation team at Kongsberg Maritime Poland, where he develops solutions for marine navigation systems. An enthusiast and practitioner of Artificial Intelligence and its business applications, he also shares this knowledge on his self-titled YouTube channel, where he explains in an accessible way the technology that is shaping today's world. His passion gave him the opportunity to participate in the implementation of solutions for the world's first autonomous ship — Yara Birkeland. He holds a degree in Business Management from WSB Merito and in Automation and Robotics from the West Pomeranian University of Technology, combining technical education with a business-oriented perspective on innovation.

Panels will be moderated by:

Greg
Margas

Business Development Executive at Enovation Solutions and co-author of a book on artificial intelligence. Lecturer in postgraduate programs at WSB Merito University in Szczecin and Warsaw, as well as a guest speaker at other Polish universities, including Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Warsaw. He spent over a decade living in Ireland, where he gained experience in education, new technologies, and startup development. He delivers courses and lectures on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), the future of work, technological risks, and flow state as a source of productivity and satisfaction.

Monika
Duszkiewicz

Coordinator of the IT Cluster Office and the main originator of the artistic concept. Director of the artistic and sound production.

Paweł
Kozłowski

President of the IT Cluster and Director of the Technology Department at Kongsberg Maritime Poland, and for the purposes of the artistic performance: sound director.

Aleksandra
Pstrągowska

Pianist, sound and visual artist. Her practice explores the relationship between image and sound. Classical music was her first means of expression – today she combines original piano improvisations with an experimental approach to sound, space, and imagery. A student of Photography at the Film School in Łódź, a graduate of the Faculty of Instrumental Studies at the Academy of Art in Szczecin, and the Warsaw School of Photography and Graphic Design. She participated in the year-long Masterclass ImageWorks mentorship program with Anita Andrzejewska and Andrzej Pilichowski-Ragno in Kraków. She also holds a degree in Economics from the University of Szczecin. A multiple recipient of the Artistic Scholarship of the City of Szczecin in the field of musical arts. She has been recognized in the Monochrome Photography Awards, Monovision Photography Awards, and was a laureate of the National Photography Competition in Częstochowa. Her sound works have been presented at events such as the 9th Edition of the RAVEKJAVIK Festival of Electronic Music and Visual Arts in Łódź and the Svetlo Valmez Festival in the Czech Republic. Winner of numerous piano and chamber music competitions, including the 27th International Piano Competition in Rome and the International Chamber Music Competition in Milan. She works as an accompanist at the Academy of Art in Szczecin and teaches piano at the Feliks Nowowiejski State Music Schools Complex in Szczecin.

Justyna
Sajewicz

Born in Szczecin, she is a graduate of the Academy of Music in Wrocław and the Academy of Art in Szczecin. She works as a freelancer, mainly performing chamber and popular music, and is also a staff member at the Academy of Art's Faculty of Design.

Kamila
Łuczka

Cellist, soloist, and chamber musician, laureate of numerous national and international music competitions. She graduated with distinction from the Mieczysław Karłowicz State Primary and Secondary Music School in Zielona Góra and from the Faculty of Instrumental Studies at the Academy of Art in Szczecin, where she studied cello under Prof. Tomasz Szczęsny, Ph.D. She is currently completing her master's degree in Cultural Management at the Academy of Art in Szczecin. Since September 2024, she has been teaching at the State Primary Music School in Kamień Pomorski. She has participated in prestigious orchestral programs, including the Orchestral Academy of the National Forum of Music in Wrocław (2022–2024), the Orchestral Academy of the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin (2023/2024), and the 13th edition of the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra (2025). As an orchestral musician, she has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Lawrence Foster, Paul McCreesh, Rune Bergmann, Piotr Borkowski, Łukasz Borowicz, and Marta Gardolińska. She is a laureate of numerous competitions, including the Grand Prize Virtuoso in Salzburg (1st Prize, 2023), the North International Music Competition in Stockholm (2nd Prize and Sponsor’s Award, 2023), the Gustav Mahler Prize Cello Competition (3rd Prize, 2023), Opus 2023 (Honourable Mention), Amadeus International Music Awards (Gold Award, 2022), and the IMKA Music Competition (1st Prize, 2021 and 2022). She was also a finalist in the Artistic Olympiad in the field of music history (Warsaw, 2018 and 2019). She continually develops her skills by participating in masterclasses led by distinguished cello and chamber music professors, including Andrzej Bauer, Marcin Zdunik, Stanisław Firlej, Emil Rovner, Jakub Jakowicz, Agata Szymczewska, and Tomasz Tomaszewski. She has performed at numerous festivals, such as Szczecin Classic (2021–2025), Malta Spring Festival – International Strings Academy (2025), and Piła Festival & Academy (2022, 2023). She made her solo debut performing Gypsy Melodies by P. de Sarasate under the baton of Maksym Dondalski.

Urszula
Bytniewska - Judasz

A graduate of the Vocal Department at the Secondary State Music School in Szczecin and of the Piano Department at the Primary State Music School in Szczecin. For years, she has been developing her passion for composition, creating music for theatre performances, concerts, and artistic events. She has collaborated three times with the theatre competition organised by the Consejería de Educación de España in Warsaw, preparing musical arrangements for the performances. For the past two years, she has also been working with the West Pomeranian Artistic Forum in Szczecin. She is currently involved in a project with students from the Escuela de Formación Actoral y Cinematográfica (Colombia), composing music for their graduation film. She envisions her artistic future primarily in composition, which she considers her most important form of creative expression.

Zuzanna
Duszkiewicz

A graduate of the Tadeusz Szeligowski State Primary Music School in Szczecin. She is currently continuing her education at the Feliks Nowowiejski State Music School Complex in Szczecin, second degree. She is a third-year student in the four-year Classical Vocal Studies programme, where she develops her passion for singing, piano performance, and the art of music. Additionally, she also plays the guitar.