Eight universities and research centres launch SPACEPORT-AI to accelerate data-driven healthcare
On 24 November 2025, eight institutions signed a letter of intent in Gliwice to establish an interdisciplinary AI consortium focused on data processing for health and related fields. The initiative, called the Silesian Partnership for the Development of Data Processing Techniques Based on Artificial Intelligence (SPACEPORT-AI), will coordinate research, education, and funding efforts across the region.
"Artificial intelligence has become a powerful tool used across many domains. We want our institutions to drive technology development, speak with a unified voice to decision-makers, co-develop research programs, and apply for funding-while also providing ethical oversight for where AI is headed," said Dr hab. n. med. Sławomir Blamek, Prof. NIO-PIB, director of the Gliwice branch of the National Institute of Oncology and initiator of the consortium.
The Silesian University of Technology highlighted long-standing joint projects with the National Institute of Oncology and its Priority Research Areas in Computational Oncology, Personalized Medicine, and AI & Data Processing. "A year ago we looked at AI mainly through the lens of risk. Today, we're focused on the opportunities and the growing awareness of how to use it responsibly for regional and institutional development," added Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
Prof. Damian Gąsiorek, now Director of the Krakow Institute of Technology, underscored the shared intent: the leading Silesian universities and research centres are aligning on science and development linked with new technology, with medicine as a priority use case.
Who signed the letter
- Dr hab. n. med. Sławomir Blamek, Prof. NIO-PIB - Director, Gliwice branch of the National Institute of Oncology named after Maria Skłodowska-Curie - National Research Institute
- Dr hab. n. med. Tomasz Szczepański, MD - Rector, Medical University of Silesia
- Dr hab. inż. Marek Pawełczyk - Rector, Silesian University of Technology
- Dr hab. Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, Prof. UŚ - Vice-Rector for Science, University of Silesia
- Dr hab. inż. Adam Zieliński - Director, Łukasiewicz Research Network - Upper Silesian Institute of Technology
- Dr hab. inż. Dariusz Prostański, Prof. ITG KOMAG - Director, and Dr inż. Bartosz Polnik - Deputy Director for Development, KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology
- Dr hab. inż. Damian Gąsiorek, Prof. SUT - Director, Łukasiewicz Research Network - Krakow Institute of Technology
- Dr inż. Jarosław Smyła - Deputy Director for Operational and Financial Affairs, Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
What SPACEPORT-AI will do
The letter states that cooperation is driven by the need to improve health system performance through research and innovation in healthcare, using AI-based data processing. Members commit to a coordinated program under SPACEPORT-AI.
- Joint use of existing resources and technical infrastructure
- Exchange of experience among research, scientific, and teaching staff
- Educational, outreach, cultural, and social projects: workshops, debates, symposia, guest lectures
- Organization of scientific and educational conferences and seminars
- Joint applications for project funding from domestic and foreign sources
Why this matters for scientists and clinicians
- Faster study setup: shared infrastructure and procedures reduce overhead for multi-centre projects.
- Clinically grounded AI: oncology and medical partners provide real datasets, workflows, and validation paths.
- Ethics and governance: an explicit supervisory function supports compliance and trustworthy AI in health. See guidance such as the WHO report on AI ethics in health (WHO).
- Funding leverage: coordinated applications improve competitiveness for national calls and international programs (e.g., under EU policy frameworks on AI; overview here: European Commission).
- Talent pipeline: hands-on workshops and seminars upskill teams across data science, engineering, and clinical research.
SPACEPORT-AI sets a practical model: focus on shared assets, measurable health outcomes, and responsible development. For teams building skills ahead of joint projects, you can browse curated AI courses by role here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
Text based on NIO-PIB press materials in Gliwice.
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