Introduction

What does it mean to build a tech future that includes everyone - not just those who already work in the industry? In a time of rapid AI adoption, shifting educational landscapes, and global startup growth, few people are better positioned to answer that question than Łukasz Foks. As Director of AI National Skills at Microsoft, Łukasz is leading one of the boldest missions in Europe: to equip over a million people in Central Europe with AI skills, digital literacy, and the confidence to thrive in the modern workforce.

His journey from teenage coder to strategic tech leader blends community-building, innovation, and a deep belief in democratizing access to technology. We spoke with Łukasz to explore the forces reshaping today’s tech landscape—and why tomorrow’s innovators may come from the most unexpected places.

From Early HTML to European AI Strategy

Łukasz Foks’s journey into tech began long before LinkedIn profiles and AI copilots - back when writing a website in HTML felt like unlocking a secret language. “I think it was around 2006 when I really got into it,” he recalls.

As a nine-year-old, he was already creating webpages and helping design his school’s online presence, driven more by curiosity than any grand career plan. He took extra lessons, learned how to build websites in HTML, and became the unofficial webmaster for his school.

The real turning point, however, came when he was invited to join a three-month content project at Microsoft. That “small” opportunity turned into a 15-year career with the company, where he now works on one of its most high-impact initiatives.

“I’ve always believed in sharing what you know. Those small contributions can open unexpected doors.”

Now, as Director of AI National Skills at Microsoft, Łukasz is leading a mission that’s as ambitious as it is human-focused: bringing digital and AI skills to over 1 million people across the region.

For him, AI isn’t just about models or metrics - it’s about real people having the chance to understand, use, and benefit from technology that’s shaping their world.

The Power of Communities (Before Social Media Took Over)

Before cloud computing and Copilots became the norm, Łukasz was building communities - literal, large-scale forums and websites for developers. Between 2006 and 2010, he co-led one of the largest Polish tech portals focused on infrastructure .NET, and what we now call DevOps. The platform reached over 120,000 daily visitors and became a hub for Polish IT professionals.

“We had 120,000 daily users and back then, that was huge. It showed me the power of collective learning.”

This experience shaped his view of how knowledge should be shared - not behind paywalls or inside silos, but openly, accessibly, and with enthusiasm. It also taught him that innovation doesn’t start in isolation - it starts in community.

Two Polands: The AI Paradox

We asked Łukasz about the current state of AI literacy in Poland, and the answer wasn’t black or white. On one hand, Polish developers, data scientists, and engineers are globally recognized for their talent.

“We have people building at OpenAI, founding game-changing startups like Eleven Labs, and creating cutting-edge tools. We are seen. We are respected.”

But on the other side, only around 44% of Polish citizens have basic digital skills and that discrepancy worries him.

“We need to remember there’s not just one Poland. There are millions of people - young, older, from cities and rural areas who haven’t had the same access to tech. Our mission has to include them too.”

Through Microsoft’s AI skilling programs, he’s worked with scouts, women's associations, and NGOs supporting people with disabilities.  The idea is simple but powerful: make AI understandable and useful for real-life tasks. From writing CVs to summarizing reports to even learning new recipes, the use cases are everyday - but the impact is transformative.

“We’re showing how AI can help someone write a CV, cook a new recipe, or summarize a complex document.  It’s about lowering the barrier - not raising it.”

Tech Is Only Real When It Works for All

Łukasz is a vocal advocate for digital inclusion.

During our talk, he emphasized that we can’t afford to build systems just for people who already understand the tech. Especially when working on AI.

He shared examples of initiatives where Microsoft tools are used to empower people with hearing or visual impairments, older adults, or those with mobility limitations.

“Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox,” he said. “It’s an enabler.”

And it’s not only about product design - it’s about communication. One of the hardest but most important challenges, he notes, is explaining AI in a way that resonates with an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old.

“You don’t need a black belt in tech to benefit from AI. That’s the myth we’re breaking every day.”

In one of his favorite ongoing collaborations, Łukasz is working with organizations like Fundacja Aktywizacja, helping people with disabilities use AI to work remotely and access information more easily. This, he says, is the future tech should aim for - tools that empower, not alienate.

The Green Side of AI: Data Centers and Design

When discussing AI, Łukasz often brings up its physical backbone - data centers. It’s easy to forget that behind every chatbot and model is a powerful infrastructure consuming energy, and space.

Microsoft is piloting closed-loop water systems, rainwater harvesting, and even wood-based server buildings.

”Our data centers have versions - just like products. Each version is better for the planet,” Łukasz explains.

He also points out how AI sustainability opens doors for other disciplines. “If you're studying civil or environmental engineering, there’s a place for you in AI. Don’t think it’s just coding.”

And for those worried about the carbon cost of AI? Łukasz sees it as a space for innovation, not despair. “We can build smarter systems. We just have to care enough to try.”

Interdisciplinary Is the New Normal

One of our favorite parts of this conversation? Talking about interdisciplinary learning. In his words,

“The best innovation happens when data scientists, designers, psychologists, and developers work together.”

He believes the future belongs to teams that bring their own perspective but share a common goal. “Creative tension,” as he calls it, is where real value is built.

It’s also what makes projects richer. Whether it's a group of students building a machine learning model for X-ray scans or collaborating on behavioral analysis for city policing, the diversity of expertise creates something bigger than the sum of its parts. “When people think differently, magic happens. It’s that simple.”, he recalls.

So, What’s His Advice?

We ended our conversation with a classic question: what advice would you give to someone starting now? Here’s his answer:

“If I could go back, I’d tell myself: learn Python. Learn how to build real things with it. The demand is massive - and it’s not going away.”

He also cautions against panic over tools like GitHub Copilot.

“Copilot won’t replace you.

But it will challenge you to deliver more.

So be the person who understands how this things are connected.”

And if you’re thinking bigger?

“Start your own thing.

Poland has world-class talent—and we need more founders.

If you build here, you’ll find amazing co-founders.

Just don’t keep your skills only to yourself.”

He encourages young techies to act like investors in their own lives: think long term, find your superpower, and use it to create something that matters.