Orlen and the Ideas Research Institute are establishing cooperation

The cooperation focuses on strengthening the AI ​​ecosystem through investment in talents, research development and their practical application in the economy. ORLEN, as a partner and sponsor of selected initiatives, is involved in activities that support the development of modern technologies and their implementation on an industrial scale.

For us, this partnership is, above all, an investment in people. IDEAS provides young researchers with appropriate conditions for work and development, and we are happy to join this process and want to support it. At ORLEN, we believe that new technologies, including artificial intelligence, will shape the development of the company and the entire economy, which is why we want them to develop also here in Poland – emphasizes Sylwia Snopkiewicz, Executive Director for Sponsorship at ORLEN.

As part of the partnership, ORLEN will support the most important IDEAS projects, including:

• IDEASHACK 2026 Demo Day (June 19, 2026) – the final stage of the hackathon addressed to students, PhD students and young researchers from all over Europe. Participants work on AI projects for several weeks, solving real technological and social problems under the supervision of mentors from leading European scientific institutions and technology companies.
• MLSS Reliability & Safety 2026 (June 29 – July 3, 2026, Kraków) – international summer school for PhD students and young AI researchers. dedicated to AI security and reliability.
• ELLIS Unit Retreat (October 7–9, 2026) – meeting of ELLIS unit coordinators, during which the Award will be presented. Witold Lipski.
• AI+Mat Workshops (November 24–26, 2026) – workshops at the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials physics, bringing together researchers from Poland and Europe.
• PreNeurIPS (December 2026) – an event presenting the latest Polish achievements consistent with world-class AI research.

The partnership includes both financial support and substantive involvement in the development of events that connect the scientific, business and institutional communities.

The development of artificial intelligence is not only a matter of technology, but also of digital sovereignty and the ability to build one’s own competences. A strong AI ecosystem starts with people. Thanks to ORLEN’s support, we can develop initiatives that attract and educate the best talents, and then create space for them to work on real challenges. – prof. Piotr Sankowski, director of the IDEAS Research Institute.

The importance of cooperation

The IDEAS and ORLEN partnership is part of a broader trend of building European technological independence and strengthening the ability to develop and implement artificial intelligence in key economic sectors.

Thanks to joint activities, it is possible not only to develop world-class research, but also to create an environment conducive to its practical use.

About the IDEAS Research Institute

IDEAS is an artificial intelligence research institute focused on leading-edge research, talent development, and the impact of technology on the economy and society.

ORLEN is a multi-energy concern that supplies fuel and energy to millions of customers in Central Europe. The company operates in the entire energy chain – from oil and gas extraction, through their processing and sale, to energy production and distribution. The company’s products reach customers in over 100 countries on six continents.

The ORLEN 2035 strategy assumes the development of low-emission energy sources within the meaning of the EU Taxonomy. Key projects in this area include, among others: increasing domestic gas production, building four offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, developing large-scale energy storage facilities and launching at least two small nuclear power plants. By 2035, the company plans to allocate PLN 350–380 billion to achieve its strategic goals.

As the Patron of Sport, Culture and Science, ORLEN supports sports associations, clubs, athletes, key cultural institutions and events, as well as scientific projects. The company is also involved in initiatives for local communities, with particular emphasis on projects for children and youth. ORLEN’s sponsorship activities are carried out based on the adopted ORLEN 2035 Strategy and the ORLEN Group Sustainable Development Strategy 2025-2035.