Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Over 6,000 guests, including representatives from business, politics, administration, academia, and culture, attended 34th Economic Forum held from 2nd to 4th September 2025 in Karpacz, Poland. Taking part in the event was HM Rector of Gdynia Maritime University, Professor Adam Weintrit.

This year’s Forum was organised under the slogan 'A Time of Change – The Future of Europe'. The event programme includes more than 500 panel sessions, plenary sessions, meetings with authors, and workshops. Among the themes that will guide the discussions are the AI Forum, the Cybersecurity Forum, the Regional Forum, and the Central and Eastern European Security Forum. The Economic Forum also saw the presentation of the ‘SGH and Economic Forum Report 2025’, in which experts from the Warsaw School of Economics analyse the state of the Polish economy and the economies of Central and Eastern Europe. The publication served as the starting point for many debates.

HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit, was a panellist during a debate on the redefinition of work in a world dominated by AI.

In response to a point raised by the debate moderator about the stage at which young people choose their career paths, Professor Weintrit addressed the issue of how well universities prepare students to enter the labour market – a market where some professions may disappear while others are only just beginning to emerge. The Rector spoke about the necessary changes to the education system that would enable it to respond dynamically enough to the needs of the labour market in the era of AI.

The debate also focused on the key competencies that will be required on the labour market in 2030, as well as the social, economic, and ethical challenges connected with artificial intelligence technology. Referring to the issues raised by the moderator, Professor Weintrit drew attention to university curricula and higher education programmes, which will need to keep pace with the evolving skill requirements brought about by AI. He also addressed the risk of exclusion from the labour market – driven by AI – of groups that struggle to adapt to new technologies.

Also taking part in the discussion were: Stefano Da Empoli, President of the Italian Institute for Competitiveness (I-Com); Paula Bruszewska, President and Co-founder of Zwolnieni z Teorii; Karol Stryja, A.I. consultant and strategist and creator of 99 Faces of A.I.; Maciej Kalski, Director of the Regional Labour Office in Opole; and Krzysztof Wojewodzic, CEO of Escola S.A.

An essential part of the Economic Forum is the presentation of awards. The ‘Person of the Year Award 2025’ was presented to Krzysztof Gawkowski, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Digitisation. The ‘Company of the Year Award’ went to PKP Intercity. Also presented was a special award from the Economic Forum and the Marshall of Lower Silesia. The winner was was Sławosz Uznański, the second Pole in history to fly into space and the first to visit the International Space Station. A further accolade went to linguist Professor Jerzy Bralczyk, who received the Forum’s Culture Award.

The Economic Forum is the largest political and economic conference in Central and Eastern Europe. During the Forum, discussions are held on security, prospects for economic development, and modern challenges and crisis management, and specific solutions and innovative ideas are proposed.

An essential part of the Economic Forum is the presentation of awards, which will be given in three categories: Person of the Year, Company of the Year, and Non-Governmental Organisation of the Year.