“The cloud is ready for AI”—that was the informal motto for the second Cloud UP! conference. Hosted by OChK, Google Cloud, and CIONET, the event once again brought together technology and business leaders to share insights and discuss cutting-edge technologies through the "Share. Explore. Execute." motto.
It Starts with Strategy, Not Tools
What was the main takeaway from the event? Technology adoption—both cloud and AI—must begin not with the tools themselves, but with clearly defined business objectives. This strategic perspective was emphasized by Tomasz Laudy (OChK) and Krzysztof Kaziów (Google Cloud), who reminded the audience that "AI is not a Jira ticket to IT." Implementation decisions must stem from well-diagnosed needs, as technology is merely a means to address them, not an end goal in itself. Meanwhile, Dr. Aleksander Poniewierski, speaking on "Between the Heart and the Mind," demonstrated that the technological shifts we are witnessing today are part of a historical pattern. Referencing the fairy tale of Pinocchio, he advised that in the world of innovation, the key is to "know the rules of the game before you enter it."
AI, Data, Regulatory Compliance, and Resilience: The Four Pillars of Organizational Maturity
This year’s agenda focused on four thematic tracks: AI, Data, Regulatory & Resilience, and Advanced Practitioners—each addressing the critical challenges organizations face today.
In the AI: Beyond the Hype track, attendees explored both the history of agent-based artificial intelligence and its practical applications, a topic covered by Antares Gryczan, AI Lead at OChK. The demonstration of multimodal Voice Agents from ElevenLabs made a strong impression on the audience. These agents enable real-time human–voice model interaction with dynamic, context-aware emotional expression, clearly showing that AI-generated voices can be as engaging and effective as human communicators — and positioning them as one of the most natural interfaces of the future.
The Data Mastery, track, featuring Jolanta Szymaniak (Booksy) and Artur Milewski (Wealthon), repeatedly stressed that effective AI implementation is impossible without a thoughtful, well-designed data architecture—the essential first step toward data organization and intelligent utilization. Attendees largely agreed that organizational silos, poor data quality, and a failure to cultivate a data-first culture continue to impede progress in many organizations.
The Resilience & Regulatory and Advanced Practitioners tracks generated equally significant interest. Firstly, Alicja Peszke-Bieńko (OChK) pointed out that DORA and NIS2 regulations necessitate a crucial shift from a "zero-risk" to a "resilience-first" mindset. Later, Artur Kuliński (Google Cloud), along with Kamil Drzymała (Bank BPS) and Robert Tomaka (Diagnostyka), discussed how to foster a culture of security and competence in a world perpetually navigating the balance between over- and under-regulation.
The Advanced Practitioners panel, featuring Lucyna Michniewicz-Ślaska (VOX) and Marcin Szydłowski (Booksy), hosted a discussion on the challenges of mature organizations: from FinOps and talent retention to effective strategies for discussing innovation implementation with the C-suite—at the right pace and scale. As emphasized, the level of advancement and effectiveness in leveraging the cloud and AI depends not on company size but on organizational culture and sheer determination.
Hype, Strategy, and Trust—The Three Roadblocks to AI
What truly hinders AI adoption? The participants were unified: not technology, but competencies, strategy, and trust: The single biggest roadblock to AI adoption is the skills and knowledge gap. There is simply too much hype, a shallow approach, and too little in-depth expertise. Expectations are often driven by fads, not actual capabilities," emphasized Antares Gryczan. The challenge is transitioning from an experiment to a sustainable solution, which, in turn, is redefining leadership: The critical intelligence that will define leader effectiveness in the coming years is adaptive intelligence—the ability to blend empathy and relationship-building with a readiness to experiment and implement new technologies," concluded Tomasz Laudy, CEO of OChK.
Discussions, Inspiration, and a Standout Finale
Cloud UP! ’25 was about more than just on-stage presentations and discussions; it focused on shared learning and the exchange of experiences, in which our guests were deeply engaged. Roundtable discussions provided an opportunity to delve into key topics within smaller groups, while intensive networking fostered new connections and project ideas. The intensive day of technological inspiration culminated in a recital by young pianist and composer, Hania Derej, which was enthusiastically and warmly received by the audience.
A big thank-you to all speakers, partners, and attendees for spending the day with us. This year's Cloud UP! proved that "The cloud is ready for AI" is no longer just a tagline—it is a reality that business and technology leaders are consciously shaping!
