Expert view: Michał Kucharczyk

Krakow’s IT talent market is entering a new phase. The shift is no longer from simple to complex delivery, but from narrow specialization toward broader, more integrated roles. In practice, this means companies increasingly need people who combine technical foundations with the ability to work across architecture, process, AI tools, and business context. A developer is no longer expected to focus only on one language or one task. The value lies in understanding how to use AI well, where to apply it, how to supervise it, and how to connect it with real organizational needs.

This change is visible across functions. In software engineering, AI already supports coding, testing, and iteration. In operations and service environments, it can shorten onboarding, improve productivity, and help teams handle repetitive tasks faster. At the same time, companies are becoming more aware that speed alone is not enough. AI must be implemented with the right architecture, governance, cybersecurity, and regulatory oversight. Otherwise, it creates more risk than value.

This has direct implications for talent in Krakow. The market continues to benefit from strong academic foundations, especially in mathematics, computer science, and English proficiency. Local universities produce graduates with solid fundamentals, while companies add the practical layer through internships, experimentation, and on-the-job learning. As a result, Krakow is well-positioned for the next stage of IT development: not only building delivery teams but also developing AI Centers of Excellence, product roles, architects, and specialists who can orchestrate increasingly automated environments.

This shift also changes the outlook for junior talent. The market may need fewer entry-level roles based on repetitive execution, but it still needs young professionals who understand foundations, can learn fast, and can work with AI tools in a structured way. In that model, junior talent is not disappearing. It is being redefined around coordination, problem framing, and value creation. For Krakow, this is an advantage. The city combines mature engineering talent with a younger generation that is comfortable experimenting with new tools, making it a strong base for the next wave of IT and AI-driven roles.