On March 31, 2026, the international conference “Future-proofing Your Business in a Changing Demographic and AI Landscape” took place, which we organized in cooperation with Eryk IT and the Center for Economic Initiatives of the Marshal’s Office. The event was dedicated to one of the key challenges of modern business: how to develop and scale organizations in a world of changing demographics and the dynamic development of artificial intelligence. From the very outset, participants were offered not only inspiring presentations but also tangible, actionable insights.
The conference was opened by the COO of the IT Cluster, Magdalena Ławicka, PhD, who welcomed the gathered guests and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the face of global challenges in the labor market and technology.
An introduction was a film presenting the activities of Eryk—the co-organizer of the conference and a member of the Cluster. The video showed the company’s evolution. It highlighted its Danish roots, expansion in Poland, and innovative programs to source skilled specialists from Nigeria. The film not only set the context for the speeches but also served as an inspiring case study in building global teams in a changing business landscape.
Next, Jens-Christian Møller, MBA, President of Eryk Group, shared a brief but powerful reflection on the company’s trajectory and the courage required to expand into international markets.
The official opening concluded with a speech from Jacek Wójcikowski, Director of the Centre for Economic Initiatives at the Marshal’s Office in Szczecin, who highlighted the role of institutions in supporting business development and foreign expansion.
The first presentation was delivered by Morten Siem Lynge, Director of Economic Diplomacy and Trade at the Embassy of Denmark in Warsaw. He traced the development of business relations between Denmark and Poland from the 1990s to the present day, setting them against the broader backdrop of Danish economic diplomacy. The speaker detailed the structure and priorities of the Royal Danish Embassy in Poland, emphasizing its active role in supporting enterprises and fostering lasting trade partnerships. Particular focus was placed on the dynamic economic cooperation that has seen Denmark become a major investor in the Polish market—specifically within the Szczecin region.
Next, Małgorzata Saar, PhD, representing the Entrepreneurship Support Office within the Center for Economic Initiatives of the Marshal’s Office, presented the support available to West Pomeranian SMEs for international expansion. The offer ranges from economic missions and trade fair subsidies to the reimbursement of travel and lodging expenses. Running through 2028, the program targets key sectors—such as maritime, construction, renewable energy, and cosmetics—to promote Polish companies across European, Asian, and American markets. Powered by European Funds, these initiatives provide entrepreneurs with tangible tools to build international networks and global brand recognition
A presentation dedicated to the looming shortage of IT specialists in the European Union was delivered by Dariusz Gradzik, Area Sales Associate at Eryk RITS. He discussed forecasts indicating that by 2030 there will be a shortage of nearly 8 million workers in this sector. He also presented the potential of Africa, and Nigeria in particular, as a source of young and qualified experts offering competencies perfectly suited to the needs of the European market. Such an approach enables European companies to effectively bridge the technological gap by utilizing proven remote IT services.
In the next part of the program, Bhajan Kaur, Co-CEO & Partner at INSCALE Group, discussed the challenges related to managing multicultural and geographically dispersed teams. She pointed out that the same messages can be interpreted differently depending on the employees’ culture, and differences in hierarchy affect behaviors such as silence or nodding. She emphasized that effective leadership requires empathy, understanding the team’s motivations, and clear, direct communication instead of excessive control. The ability to lead across cultural differences is becoming a more significant competitive advantage today than technology itself.
In the following presentation, Greg Margas, Business Development Executive at Enovation Solutions, discussed the impact of modern technologies on the cognitive capital of employees and the risks arising from over-reliance on artificial intelligence. He noted that automation, while facilitating work, can lead to shallow thinking and a weakening of the ability to solve problems independently. He emphasized the importance of achieving a state of flow, protection against digital distractors, and maintaining mental work hygiene—sleep, physical activity, and healthy habits. He also pointed to lifelong learning, for example through open educational platforms, as a key to building competency advantages and effective human-technology cooperation.
David Stampe Grønborg from the BIRN Group, in his speech, discussed the challenges associated with recruiting IT talent for industrial companies operating outside major urban centers. He emphasized that competition based solely on salaries or the prestige of a location often proves insufficient. The solution is a change in the work model—the full integration of remote teams and building a culture based on trust and responsibility. A key role is played by the partnership with Eryk, enabling access to motivated specialists from all over the world while maintaining local identity. Employee retention depends primarily on a sense of purpose in work and development opportunities, rather than technology alone. The presentation encouraged a redefinition of traditional recruitment methods in favor of building lasting relationships and global digital competencies.
A presentation on the international development of Promeco Sp. z o.o. was led by Sebastian Bryczkowski, Production Unit Director, and Paulina Żuchowska, HR Manager. They presented the profile of the company, which specializes in advanced electrical and mechanical solutions for the maritime, energy, and railway sectors. They highlighted the international nature of the organization—five branches in Poland and Finland employing over 670 experts—and long-standing relationships with contractors. They also discussed challenges related to the deficit of qualified electricians in the local labor market, the possibilities regarding building international teams, and the role of internship programs and systematic skill upgrading in building stable teams. They emphasized the importance of corporate values such as sustainable development, safety, and innovation in the company’s growth strategy.
One of the final points of the program was a presentation by Eryk specialists – Joy Chinonye Anyanwu, John Akoh, and Hamza Jatto—who shared their experiences on their professional journey from Nigeria to Europe. They discussed the company’s strategy, based on international cooperation and an original internship program for young talents from Africa, focusing on services in the fields of industrial automation, installation, and modern IT solutions. They emphasized the importance of flexibility, cultural adaptation, and continuous competence development, showing how global talent can enrich European teams while maintaining their identity. The speech also highlighted the role of partnerships in Poland and Denmark in the transfer of technical knowledge, the successes of program participants, and the ambitious goal of creating one thousand stable jobs by 2030, utilizing the potential of the Lagos IT Hub to provide digital services to the global market. The whole presentation showcased a win-win business model, combining company growth with social responsibility and a response to contemporary demographic challenges.
The conference became a unique space for the exchange of knowledge and experience—inspiring speeches by international speakers, full of practical tips and reflections, combined with Q&A sessions and networking, allowed participants to look at business and technological challenges from various perspectives.
We thank all the speakers for their commitment and valuable insights, and the participants for their active participation, pertinent questions, and readiness to share their observations.
A recording of the conference is available at the link: Business Conference: “Future-proofing Your Business in a Changing Demographic and AI Landscape”
