AGH University of Science and Technology

05/12/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/12/2026 07:29

Launch of Gaia AI Factory: one of Europe’s most significant AI projects takes shape

Photograph: Michał Łepecki

Launch of Gaia AI Factory: one of Europe's most significant AI projects takes shape
12-05-2026

The historic interiors of Sukiennice, the cloth hall located in the heart of Krakow Main Square, hosted the official launch of the Gaia AI Factory, one of the largest investments in the development of artificial intelligence in Poland and a key element of a European AI ecosystem. Implemented by the AGH University Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet with partner institutions under the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), the project is strategic to Europe's digital sovereignty and competitiveness.

The Gaia AI Factory is a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure and an ecosystem fostering collaboration between academia, government, and business. At its heart will be an AI supercomputer based in Krakow and managed by the AGH University Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet.

The event was attended by representatives of central and local governments, academia, European institutions, and partners from the consortium implementing the project. The launch was symbolic, as it marked the start of a new chapter in the development of artificial intelligence in Poland.

Poland on the European AI map

Co-financed by Poland and the European Union, the Gaia AI Factory is a project worth around €70 million (nearly PLN 300 million).

The work of the consortium headed by Cyfronet is carried out with support of key Polish ministries: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The Polish financial input comes from the funds of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The project aligns with the development of a European network of AI factories and is intended to provide access to advanced computing resources and AI tools for a wide range of users, from researchers and start-ups to public administration and industry.

"The Gaia AI Factory is not just another supercomputer, but more importantly the foundation of a new artificial intelligence ecosystem in Poland. We bring together infrastructure, data, and expertise to enable innovation on a European scale," claimed Marek Magryś, Director of Cyfronet. "Thanks to this investment, Polish scientists and entrepreneurs will gain access to tools that were only available to the world's largest technology companies until very recently," he added.

Professor Jerzy Lis, AGH University Rector, highlighted the university's role in technological transformation:

"This is a special moment for the AGH University of Krakow, for the AGH University Academic Computing Centre Cyfronet, but also for the entire Polish scientific and innovation community. The decision made by EuroHPC JU to entrust the implementation of the Gaia AI Factory to Krakow and a consortium led by Cyfronet is a testament to the trust placed in the expertise, experience and potential of our research team and infrastructure."

In turn, Marek Kasztelnik, Gaia AI Factory Coordinator, underscored the strategic importance of the undertaking:

"We are building not just infrastructure, but a complete ecosystem, ranging from computing power and data access to implementation support and talent development. The project will have a tangible impact on the economy's innovation. The Gaia AI Factory aims to become a hub for collaboration throughout the region and one of the pillars of trusted European artificial intelligence."

Future technologies available in Poland

The new Gaia supercomputer will be equipped with over a thousand GPU accelerators and will significantly outperform the capabilities of current computing systems in Poland. The infrastructure will enable the training of advanced AI models and their practical application in areas such as healthcare, public administration, education, environmental protection, and the space sector.

The project stands out not only for its technological scale but also for its collaborative model. Its implementation involves a nationwide consortium of leading research institutions, domain experts, and technology partners.

A boost for the economy and innovation

The launch of the Gaia AI Factory has demonstrated the potential for synergy between academia, government, and business. As emphasised by the event participants, this project could significantly accelerate the development of innovative AI-based services and products as well as boost the competitiveness of Polish companies on the European and global markets.

The Gaia AI Factory is set to become much more than a technology hub: it will be a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange, a cornerstone of Poland's modern digital economy and a key component of the European artificial intelligence development framework.

The project partners are: Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet and the Faculty of Space Technologies of the AGH University of Krakow, Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, CI TASK at the Gdańsk University of Technology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling at the University of Warsaw, National Centre for Nuclear Research, National Research Institute NASK, the OPI National Research Institute, Sano - Centre for Personalized Computational Medicine - International Research Foundation, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology at the Jagiellonian University, Institute of Mother and Child, and Krakow Technology Park.

For more information, see the website of the Gaia AI Factory.

Photographs: Michał Łepecki

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