Krakow DIANA. Press conference at the AGH University with the Minister of National Defence

As announced on the previous day, the Polish site of the defence innovation accelerator – Krakow DIANA Accelerator – is to be lead by the AGH University and the Krakow Technology Park. This information was also confirmed by the Polish President, Andrzej Duda, at the meeting with the secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.

The goal of the DIANA accelerator network is to connect the competences of researchers, innovators, and start-ups collaborating on deep tech solutions with units in the defence and military sector. DIANA’s area of interests includes new, cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data processing, space, quantum, autonomous, information, and communication technologies, as well as energy, biotechnology, new materials, and production. The main areas of activity of the Krakow DIANA Accelerator will be to support the implementation of acceleration programmes concerning technological solutions required for ensuring security and defence of all NATO ally countries.

The host of the meeting, the Rector of the AGH University, Professor Jerzy Lis, began the conference by saying:

“This is a vitally significant distinction for the AGH University as well as a recognition of our scientific potential. By joining the prestigious group of NATO accelerators, we take responsibility together with the Krakow Technology Park  for providing solutions at the highest level that will be crucial for security in the Alliance. We approach such challenges with the utmost seriousness. This is is an opportunity to strengthen and develop key research areas for the AGH University itself. (...) We are all aware of the significance of the event we are participating in. Running the Polish site of NATO defence innovation accelerator within DIANA means in practice development in key areas of our scientific activity, including but not limited to IT, especially cyber security and artificial intelligence, defence technology, energy, raw materials, and materials technology, and many others."

Deputy Prime Minister who spoke after the Rector explained the goal of the DIANA programme:

"We do not lack scientists, we do not lack ideas as well. However, we lack translation, namely translating it into a usable language in common production. This is an enormous challenge for the entire economy but also a challenge for defence-related issues. What do we need the DIANA NATO Centre for? It is one of the youngest NATO agencies aimed at supporting start-ups and ventures related to dual use, i.e. the use in the civilian market and the possibility of use in the defence industry and security matters. This is an innovative approach. I also begins to gain a practical dimension. We are in need of companies that would invest in drones, AI, or cyberspace. What is soon to be located at the AGH University will constitute an extraordinary support for the operation and creation of the drone component, but also satellite component of the Polish Armed Forces."

The head of the Minister of Defence also stressed the fact that:

“This is a big moment for Krakow, the Małopolska region, but above all for the security in Poland. There is nothing more important today than the security of our Motherland. It is something that connects us. It is something, a cause, that is the Polish reason of state. When it comes to matters of security, all of us in Poland speak with one voice and cooperate. And this is truly important for us, for our government. We need to invest in the best, and the AGH University of Krakow is the very best. It is one of the best Polish universities, pride of Krakow but also pride of Polish technical universities. It is a brand known worldwide. I thank the staff of the University as well as many generations of students for all that has happened here. I thank you for the University you have created.”

In turn, as claimed by Bartosz Józefowski, technology park department vice-director and the board’s proxy for dual-use technologies:

“As the Krakow Technology Park, we want to bring our experience into translations concerning dual-use technologies. We are open to our entire national ecosystem, we will support companies and start-ups, all those who want to contribute to the development of defence."

Participants of the press conference with the head of the Ministry of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, were as follows: director of the Internal Security Department from the National Security Bureau, Dr Karol Sobczak, Vice-Governor of Małopolska Region, Krzysztof Klęczar, Deputy Mayor of the City of Krakow, Andrzej Kulig, technology park department vice-director at the Krakow Technology Park, Bartosz Józefowski. Also present in the auditorium were: Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation in the Ministry of Defence, płk Jacek Najs, expert from the Internal Security Department, Paweł Wiszniewski, vice-president of the Krakow Technology Park, Łukasz Słoniowski, director of the AGH University Cybersecurity Centre and Rector’s Proxy for NATO DIANA, Izabela Albrycht, Rector's College, AGH University dean authorities, as well as representatives of partner institutions and companies were also present in the auditorium.