Debate Innovators Wprost 2026: Technology that determines advantage. What does the battlefield look like today?
What lessons come from Ukraine, how the battlefield has changed and what determines the advantage today – this is what experts discussed during the defense debate at Wprost Innovators 2026.
During the debate “Lessons from Ukraine: Technology that determines the advantage. What does the battlefield look like today?” experts pointed out how technology has changed the capabilities of the army and the battlefield itself.
– The battlefield has changed so much that it doesn’t look the same as it did at the beginning. The weapons we needed at the beginning are not entirely needed at this point – Serhiy Goncharov, director general of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industry.
– Ukraine has shown that a drone for a few hundred dollars is capable of destroying a large part of the infrastructure – said General Andrzej Pawlikowski.
It was emphasized that today war is not only fought physically, on the front, but also online. The number of cyberattacks has increased by 150 percent, and the aim of these activities is not only disinformation, but also stealing intelligence data.
– The conflict online continues all the time – said Col. Paweł Doniec. – Information gives room for sabotage, if we know what will be transported, when and where, we can prevent the transport.
Experts also talked about how to support frontline activities and whether technology, including AI, can replace humans or only support their decisions.
– We need to look at the battlefield and collect information from people who coordinate activities on site in order to purchase equipment that is actually needed on the front. – Gen. Andrzej Pawlikowski.
The panelists agreed: artificial intelligence will not replace humans, but it can be a helpful tool.
– Artificial intelligence is intended to help make decisions and support soldiers and commanders. The system will not replace a human – Borys Woś, deputy director for research and development at the IDEAS Research Institute.
Wprost Innovators is an award granted since 2011.
We reward innovative solutions in the most important sectors of the economy and the most promising Polish innovations in the field of science. The gala is preceded by a conference devoted to the innovation market in Poland. The main topics are the condition and opportunities of the Polish AI industry and local content. Discussions will include, among others: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, dual-use technologies, robotics, modern technologies in industry, medicine, electromobility, waste management and financing innovations.
