By MOTIFE Insights, 8 September 2025
At the centre of this transformation is Academic Computer Center Cyfronet AGH, one of Poland’s most advanced high-performance computing centres, which is pivotal in enabling large-scale AI research and data-intensive applications.
Cyfronet, established in 1973, is the oldest Polish computing centre, with decades of experience in providing high-end services for the needs of scientists and researchers and is a part of AGH University.
With two data centres located in Krakow, close to 200 staff and several supercomputers, it is the vibrant heart of Krakow’s IT infrastructure. Cyfronet hosts three production supercomputers, Ares, Athena, and Helios, which are paired with cloud computing services, over 100 petabytes of disk storage, and more than 100 petabytes of tape archive capacity for long-term data preservation. Cyfronet was selected as one of the locations for EuroHPC mid-range supercomputers and will become a European AI Factory shortly.
Helios is the fastest supercomputer in Poland and has over 36 petaflops of performance, the equivalent of thousands of workstations. Helios is ranked among the 100 fastest supercomputers in the world. After its launch, it was ranked as the third most energy-efficient supercomputer in the world according to the Green500 list. With over 80,000 CPU cores and over 450 latest GPUs, it creates an excellent base for AI model training and research. Two leading Polish Large Language Models, Bielik and PLLuM, were made using Helios and Athena supercomputers.
AI to strengthen Krakow’s role in the European AI ecosystem. Krakow is set to become one of the key hubs for artificial intelligence development in Poland and across Europe with the establishment of the country’s second major AI initiative. The project, backed by nearly PLN 70 million (EUR 16 million) in public funding and co-financed by the European Commission, will be implemented at the Cyfronet Academic Computer Center at AGH University of Science and Technology. Completion is scheduled for 2025.
This initiative will serve as a research and development center focused on AI-based innovation. Unlike conventional production facilities, it will function as a high-performance computing platform, offering the infrastructure necessary to train and deploy advanced AI systems. The plan includes expanding Cyfronet’s computing capabilities—particularly its Helios supercomputer, one of the fastest and most energy-efficient in the world.
The center will support Polish and European researchers in developing, testing, and scaling AI technologies. It will also contribute to the integration of AI into public administration. As part of the project, Cyfronet will collaborate with the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Centre for Information Technology (COI – Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki), and the Polish Language Model Consortium (PLLuM) to apply language models in public services. These efforts aim to improve communication between citizens and the government by enabling more intuitive and accessible digital interactions in Polish.
The project is also expected to enhance Poland’s participation in pan-European technology initiatives. It will foster collaboration between academic, governmental, and commercial stakeholders, building synergies and reinforcing Krakow’s position as a strategic location for digital innovation. This effort exemplifies how public investment in technological infrastructure can drive long-term scientific and economic progress.
Learn more about the tech ecosystem in Krakow and Poland by downloading the Krakow IT Market Report 2025.
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