The Polish government has officially launched PLLuM (Polish Large Language Model), marking a significant milestone in the development of national artificial intelligence technologies, aimed primarily at enhancing public administration and business operations.
Announced by Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski, PLLuM is set to revolutionize how AI is integrated within services provided to citizens. “PLLuM is proof we can develop modern technologies on our own terms, in our language, benefiting our citizens,” Gawkowski stated during the launch event.
This innovative project has been backed by substantial funding. A total of 19 million złotys has been allocated to the HIVE consortium, which is leading PLLuM's development, integrating efforts from several institutions including Wroclaw University of Technology, the Institute of Computer Science PAN, and the NASK (Research and Academic Computer Network). Dariusz Standerski, the Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, emphasized the importance of this funding: “The development of PLLuM is an investment in the digital state.”
Why PLLuM? This national initiative arrived as Poland seeks to bolster its digital sovereignty, aiming to minimize reliance on foreign technologies and to provide local AI solutions for administrative and business needs. Gawkowski highlighted the risks of relying exclusively on foreign companies, stating, “If we focus only on foreign companies, we will all be lost.”
At the core of PLLuM's design is its adaptability for the Polish language, which presents unique challenges like inflection and syntax complexity. Over 100 billion words from diverse Polish text corpora underpin the model, ensuring it aligns with the nuances of the local language. This training data has been ethically obtained and is set to remain under Polish control.
Jan Kocoń, the scientific leader of the project, noted the scale and capabilities of PLLuM, which can operate on between 8 to 70 billion parameters. “PLLuM is based on proprietary Polish data, built on one of the largest text corpora in the country, over 100 billion words,” he explained. This allows for precise content generation, particularly suitable for governmental applications.
PLLuM is not just about technology; it aims to simplify processes within public administration. It is expected to power intelligent assistants within the mObywatel mobile application, enhancing citizen interactions with government services by providing quick access to necessary data and advice.
“We are enhancing our digital state,” Standerski continued, underscoring the project as pivotal for future digital advancements in public service. With its deployment, businesses will also benefit from PLLuM's capabilities, which will allow for tailor-made solutions suitable for various commercial needs.
Critically, PLLuM's installation is taking place under the watchful eye of ethical guidelines. The project ensures all data—including licensed content and public knowledge datasets—are sourced legally and responsibly. This ethical framework is significant, as it builds trust among users and contributors alike.
Plans are already underway for the future of this technology. By 2025, new partners, including the Central Information Center (COI) and ACK Cyfronet AGH (which features Poland's fastest supercomputer), will join the initiative. These developments promise to advance the utility of PLLuM even more, creating comprehensive support structures for both public and educational sectors.
“This is only the beginning,” Gawkowski concluded. PLLuM not only positions Poland as a leader within the AI space but also empowers its economy by boosting competitiveness through digital innovation. This launch marks Poland's entry as one of the key players in nurturing indigenous AI technologies.