On 24 April 2025, in Warsaw, the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) and the Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) launched a strategic partnership for the digital transformation of the state geological service. 

It is based on the e-Geology project, prepared jointly by PGI-NRI and the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology of WUT, which has already been submitted to the Ministry of Digital Affairs within the framework of the Council of Ministers Committee for Digital Affairs. The project responds to the task: ‘High quality and availability of public e-services’, with an emphasis on advanced data analytics, digital security and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support state raw materials policy. This project fulfils the changes in the functioning of the Polish geological administration planned by the Chief National Geologist, Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Galos.

Signatories of the agreement. Coming from the left: Prof. dr hab. inż. Mariusz Malinowski, Vice-Rector for Research at WUT; Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of PGI-NRI

In view of growing geopolitical tensions and increasing pressure on critical infrastructure security, PGI-NRI and WUT have entered into an agreement aimed at implementing innovative digital public services for the protection of geological resources and the development of modern infrastructure for national raw material security.

The cooperation focuses on the use of artificial intelligence as the foundation for the digital transformation of the state geological service. A new generation of algorithms will support automated processing of geological data, environmental risk forecasting, assessment of the availability of strategic raw materials, and offer support in crisis situations. At the same time, an important aspect of the partnership is the development of cybersecurity components necessary to ensure the integrity and availability of key state information resources.

'Digital security of raw materials is becoming as important as their physical security. Together with the Warsaw University of Technology, we are creating a digital resilience architecture for the state’, said Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of PGI-NRI. This is not just a declaration, but the beginning of real action, confirmed today by the signing of an agreement and the submission of a project to the Ministry of Digital Affairs.

The project involves the construction of a modern digital platform integrating geological, environmental and raw material data with public administration systems. A key element of this architecture will be the use of the National Node – a strategic component of the state's digital infrastructure. It will enable secure, standardised and interoperable data exchange between public institutions, businesses and citizens. The node is the technical heart of the future eGeologia (e-Geology) platform and planned analytical and operational services supporting the country's energy risk and security management.

The agreement was signed by Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of PGI-NRI, and Prof. dr hab. inż. Mariusz Malinowski, Vice-Rector for Research at WUT. The parties declared their intention to engage in long-term cooperation, including internships and work placements for students, the creation of joint research teams, the commercialisation of technologies, and the development of data security components (Security Operations Centre – SOC) and ISAC SIG (Information Sharing and Analysis Centre for Raw Materials and Geodiversity) structures.

The Warsaw University of Technology brings to this cooperation its experience in designing digital solutions for administration, industry and society. Partnership with PGI-NRI is a natural continuation of our mission 'engineering for security', said Prof. Mariusz Malinowski.

This partnership is part of the implementation of the new PGI-NRI strategy developed on the initiative of the Chief National Geologist, Prof. Krzysztof Galos’, emphasised dr Artur Dyczko, Director of the PGI-NRI branch in Sosnowiec. Its central element is the construction of a Geoinformation and Cybersecurity Centre in the Upper Silesian Branch, which will be responsible for the development of digital services, data analytics and the implementation of advanced AI-based tools.

Concluded agreement is a framework document, valid for 10 years with the possibility of extension, and its provisions are already being implemented – from a joint application to the Council of Ministers Committee for Digital Affairs to the first research projects in the field of AI and interoperable digital services.– To nie tylko formalność, ale realne rozpoczęcie współpracy – podkreśla prof. Krzysztof Szamałek. – Politechnika Warszawska wnosi kompetencje technologiczne i inżynierskie, które pozwalają na bezpieczne wdrażanie innowacji. Naszym wspólnym celem jest cyfrowa tarcza dla danych surowcowych państwa.

This is not just a formality, but a real start of cooperation’, stresses Prof. Krzysztof Szamałek. The Warsaw University of Technology brings technological and engineering expertise that will enable the safe implementation of innovations. Our common goal is a digital shield for the state's raw data.

The partnership with PGI-NRI fits perfectly into the strategic mission of the Warsaw University of Technology’, added Prof. Mariusz Malinowski. We are focusing on technologies that serve society and strengthen national security. The Warsaw University of Technology is a natural partner for public institutions in the implementation of their digitisation strategies. This is particularly true when it comes to the latest solutions in the field of artificial intelligence. The University is one of the most active research centres in this area. It is at the Warsaw University of Technology that the largest number of doctoral theses related to artificial intelligence have been written.

The Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology at WUT has extensive experience in creating innovative solutions for modern electronics, IT and telecommunications', added Prof. dr hab. inż. Ewa Niewiadomska-Szynkiewicz, Vice-Dean for Science. Our teams of scientists not only conduct advanced scientific research but also participate in projects whose results achieve a high level of technological readiness.

Cooperation with WUT is an important step in transforming PGI-NRI into an institution managing geological knowledge with the use of artificial intelligence – for sustainable development, data security and a modern digital state.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the PGI-NRI management, representatives of the management board of Red Ocean Sp. z o.o., the Vice-Rector for Science at WUT, the Chairman of the Scientific Council for Technical Informatics and Telecommunications at WUT, the Vice-Dean for Science as well as directors and deputy directors of institutes at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, the Director of the WUT Innovation Centre and the Head of the WUT Central Design Centre.

Text: Artur Dyczko i Ewa Niewiadomska-Szynkiewicz
Photos: Maciej Stępnik