Poland has launched a new Polish-language chatbot as a domestic alternative to the American AI platform ChatGPT, aiming to strengthen its “digital sovereignty.”
Ministers said that the Polish Large Language Model (PLLuM) has been created for use by administrators, companies and scientists, but “every citizen can use the chatbot.”
However, its creators admit that the technology is not as good as ChatGPT and internet users have already discovered flaws in the model.
In one example, the bot confused the identity of Poland’s national prosecutor, while ChatGPT managed to successfully identify the right person, private broadcaster TVN24 reported.
Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, said on Monday that Poland needed to increase its independence from the U.S. when it comes to technology.
In January, the Polish AI sector was left reeling by the American government’s decision to limit the number of high-tech chips Poland would be allowed to import from the U.S.
“PLLuM is a trusted model that is supposed to strengthen Polish digital sovereignty,” Gawkowski said.
“If we focus only on foreign companies, American consortiums, we will all be mistaken. American companies and their parameters are not the promised land.”
Dr. Jan Kocoń, scientific director of the project said that PLLuM is a model based on original Polish data, built on one of the largest text corpora in the country.
Kocoń admitted that the model is inferior to ChatGPT but is “a good general-purpose model for the Polish language.”
“PLLuM is worse than ChatGPT. ChatGPT has from 200 billion to a trillion parameters. It is not known exactly because OpenAI does not disclose it. PLLuM, in its largest version, has 70 billion parameters,” Kocoń told Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza in January.
However, its creators admit that the technology is not as good as ChatGPT and internet users have already discovered flaws in the model.
In one example, the bot confused the identity of Poland’s national prosecutor, while ChatGPT managed to successfully identify the right person, private broadcaster TVN24 reported.
US companies ‘not the promised land’
Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, said on Monday that Poland needed to increase its independence from the U.S. when it comes to technology.
In January, the Polish AI sector was left reeling by the American government’s decision to limit the number of high-tech chips Poland would be allowed to import from the U.S.
“PLLuM is a trusted model that is supposed to strengthen Polish digital sovereignty,” Gawkowski said.
“If we focus only on foreign companies, American consortiums, we will all be mistaken. American companies and their parameters are not the promised land.”
'Good general-purpose model’
Dr. Jan Kocoń, scientific director of the project said that PLLuM is a model based on original Polish data, built on one of the largest text corpora in the country.
Kocoń admitted that the model is inferior to ChatGPT but is “a good general-purpose model for the Polish language.”
“PLLuM is worse than ChatGPT. ChatGPT has from 200 billion to a trillion parameters. It is not known exactly because OpenAI does not disclose it. PLLuM, in its largest version, has 70 billion parameters,” Kocoń told Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza in January.
Further comparing the model with ChatGPT, Kocoń pointed out that there are fewer texts in Polish than in English as a basis for the model.
Earlier this year, Polish leaders unveiled plans to invest over €1 billion in developing domestic AI technologies in 2025. The authorities hope that investments in AI will contribute to the creation of new companies, driving economic growth.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs, which owns PLLuM and controls its development, says that the new chatbot is an opportunity to strengthen Poland's competitiveness in the IT sector and the entire economy.
The HIVE consortium, established by the ministry, will be responsible for implementing AI models in administration offices and within the mObywatel application, a government app that provides digital access to official documents and public services.
In late January, France launched an AI model called Lucie, one of the projects funded under the France 2030 program initiated by President Emmanuel Macron. The program’s total budget is €54 billion.
However, the bot was quickly shut down after it tried to convince users that cows lay eggs.
By comparison, the Polish state has invested €3.5 million in PLLuM so far and is about to spend a further €4.6 million to implement the model in public administration and expand cooperation with new partners.
AI seen as economic driver
Earlier this year, Polish leaders unveiled plans to invest over €1 billion in developing domestic AI technologies in 2025. The authorities hope that investments in AI will contribute to the creation of new companies, driving economic growth.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs, which owns PLLuM and controls its development, says that the new chatbot is an opportunity to strengthen Poland's competitiveness in the IT sector and the entire economy.
The HIVE consortium, established by the ministry, will be responsible for implementing AI models in administration offices and within the mObywatel application, a government app that provides digital access to official documents and public services.
In late January, France launched an AI model called Lucie, one of the projects funded under the France 2030 program initiated by President Emmanuel Macron. The program’s total budget is €54 billion.
However, the bot was quickly shut down after it tried to convince users that cows lay eggs.
By comparison, the Polish state has invested €3.5 million in PLLuM so far and is about to spend a further €4.6 million to implement the model in public administration and expand cooperation with new partners.
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