Poland's firms turn to AI for ESG amid sustainability pressure

Polish companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets. AI tools help monitor emissions, optimise energy grids, detect cyber‑threats and automate decision‑making, but they also raise concerns about ethics, talent displacement and the growing carbon footprint of data centres – which consumed about 415 TWh of electricity in 2024 and could double by 2030. Irena Pichola, chair of the Responsible Business Forum, said, “We are dealing with unprecedented AI development… It is a huge chance, but also a huge responsibility in terms of ethics and energy use.”

At the same time, ESG initiatives face mounting resistance. John Elkington, creator of the Triple Bottom Line, warned that many firms are retreating from public ESG commitments, especially under political pressure in the United States. He noted that 93 % of surveyed experts say sustainability programmes need a fundamental overhaul, while investment in renewable energy now exceeds that in fossil fuels. Elkington added, “The second term of Donald Trump could be one of the best things that happened to ESG movements, if it forces us to rethink our approach.”