Poland is one of the biggest hubs of innovation, thanks in part to young leaders whose influence extends far beyond the country’s borders. From laboratories in Warsaw to offices in Silicon Valley, Polish visionaries are participating in and shaping the global discourse on science and technology.

The two most recent figures honored by TIME magazine show how diverse and equally groundbreaking Poland’s contribution to the future can be.

TIME100 AI 2025: Mati Staniszewski

On one hand stands Mati Staniszewski, the 29-year-old co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, one of the world’s most influential voice AI startups. In just three years, ElevenLabs has grown into a $3.3 billion company, with clients ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to Hollywood studios and video game developers. Its technology allows voices to be cloned, translated, and brought back to life, reshaping industries from entertainment to customer service.

Staniszewski, together with his co-founder Piotr Dabkowski, has turned ElevenLabs into a pioneer of the new era of human-computer interaction. Recent highlights for ElevenLabs include enabling Virginia congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who lost her voice to a rare disorder, to address the U.S. House, the first AI voice used in government, and bringing Darth Vader’s voice to Fortnite in partnership with James Earl Jones’ estate.

With offices in London, New York, Warsaw, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Bangalore, and a bevy of licensing deals for famous deceased voices from Judy Garland to Richard Feynman, ElevenLabs has no intention of slowing down.

“The dream was to create a generational company,” says Staniszewski for Times magazine, adding that this ambition feels more achievable with each passing day. “Being at the frontier of audio, we treat it as a responsibility to some extent, but more than that, it’s like—how many chances in your life do you have to do something like this?”

TIME’s Girls of the Year 2025: Kornelia Wieczorek

On the other hand is Kornelia Wieczorek, a 17-year-old prodigy named one of TIME’s Girls of the Year 2025. Her journey began in classrooms and research labs, where an early spark of curiosity turned into groundbreaking discoveries.

At just 14, Wieczorek co-developed a biodegradable fertilizer that could help Europe reduce harmful nitrogen use in agriculture. Today, she is working on an impressive portfolio of projects: from medical apps that diagnose skin changes and assist in cancer therapies, to research on Parkinson’s disease treatment using stem cells. Though she hasn’t even entered university yet, Wieczorek’s determination to combine biology, technology, and medicine points toward a future where Polish scientific talent shapes global healthcare solutions.

“I’m not really sure what will happen half a year from now, but I hope to be an expert in what I’m interested in, because it’s something I really like.” She advises young scientists to wholeheartedly pursue the topics that interest them. “Get as much knowledge as possible, and dare to incorporate it together, and to work on who you would like to be in the future.”

Innovation and Ambition: The Polish Way

Staniszewski and Wieczorek share a common thread: they both embody the spirit of modern Poland. Ambitious, globally minded, and unafraid to confront some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Though at different points in their journeys—one leading a multinational company, the other just starting her scientific career—they both highlight a shared drive to make a meaningful impact that reaches far beyond their homeland.

To learn more about Poles and why we are among the world’s top professionals, visit our dedicated page and explore insights on Poland’s IT industry.

TIME100 AI 2025 List: Mati Staniszewski

TIME’s Girls of the Year 2025 List: Kornelia Wieczorek

Main Photo Source: ElevenLabs