Artificial intelligence, copyright and the controversy surrounding Studio Ghibli

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly entering the world of art, evoking both fascination and controversy. Thanks to generative tools such as DALL- E, Midjourney and ChatGPT, it has become possible to create extremely realistic images based solely on textual descriptions or stylistic references. The mechanism of operation of these solutions is based on powerful language-visual models which, by analysing millions of graphics available on the web, learn to recognise specific features of artistic styles, compositions or forms.

Ghibli style AI

intelligence learn to create images?

Training AI models involves using large visual and text data sets from which algorithms extract patterns and aesthetic schemes. The most commonly used techniques are Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), which generate images and assess their realism, Neural Style Transfer (NST), which allows for the imitation of the style of one image in another, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which enable in-depth analysis of visual elements and the creation of new compositions based on them.

Artificial intelligence and copyright – new legal challenges

However, with the growing popularity of AI in art, serious legal questions have arisen. One of the most pressing problems is the issue of copyright. Generative models are trained on publicly available data, but much of this material – graphics, illustrations, photos or film clips – is legally protected. These are often images downloaded from websites such as Pinterest and DeviantArt, art blogs and creative forums, as well as film and TV stills – including Studio Ghibli productions – that have never been officially released by their creators. Illustrations from books, comics and computer games are also used for model training, which raises great concerns among artists and lawyers.

Ghibli style AI

Using other people’s work without permission – is it legal?

Many creators are not aware that their work may have been used without permission and remuneration to create tools that then compete with their work on the market. The issue of licensing data for AI training remains one of the most debated issues in the industry. In response to the growing pressure, some tech companies – including OpenAI – have started to enter into official agreements with publishers such as The Guardian and Time, who make their archives available in exchange for licensing fees. This is a step towards ethical transparency, but at the same time the exception rather than the rule. Many companies still rely on unregulated data sets, claiming that they are ‘publicly available’.

Copyright and artificial intelligence in the world and in Poland

Copyright in the world

The question arises as to whether the use of protected materials for model training without the consent of the copyright holders can be legal. In some countries, such as Japan, the answer is yes – the law there allows the use of protected works for research and development purposes if it serves technological progress. In the European Union, the situation is more complex, but work is ongoing.

Read more here:

https://lbplegal.com/jakie-wyzwania-prawne-stoja-przed-sztuczna-inteligencja/

https://lbplegal.com/figma-a-ai/

In the United States, on the other hand, there are intense debates about the scope of fair use and whether AI training can be considered fair use.

This is confirmed by the US Copyright Office’s decision in 2022 to refuse registration of Janson Allen’s AI-generated image (Midjourney) entitled Théâtre D’opéra Spatial precisely because of the lack of a human author. The applicant argued that if legal persons can hold copyright, the same should apply to artificial intelligence. However, this argument was rejected – AI does not have legal capacity.

According to the USCO, the applicant cannot be considered the author of the painting in question. It also pointed out that prompts do not provide Midjourney with specific instructions for a particular form – in a sense, there is also a certain percentage of probability here. According to the USCO, ‘when AI receives a prompt from the user and creates complex verbal, visual or musical pieces in response, the traditional elements of creativity are determined and performed by technology, not the user’. In addition, the applicant’s activity did not lead to ‘giving the work a clear form resulting from the author’s creative choices’, nor was there ‘creative human control over the work’. The final appearance of the generated graphic by Midjourney was beyond the applicant’s control, as it depended on the data used during the model training process and the initial ‘noise’ that served as the starting point for the diffusion process leading to the final image.

Copyright in Poland

Art. 1(1) of the Act on Copyright and Related Rights (PrAut)

‘The subject of copyright is any manifestation of creative activity of an individual nature, established in any form, regardless of value, purpose and manner of expression (work)’.

According to the above, AI systems cannot be copyrighted, mainly because they lack legal capacity – i.e. the ability to act as the subject of rights and obligations. Unlike humans, AI has no legal personality or individuality and is therefore not capable of creativity in the legal sense.

Ghibli style AI

Is artistic style legally protected?

Copyright does not protect style as such. Ideas, concepts, methods of operation and modes of expression are also not protected, as long as they do not take the form of a specific work. In other words, being inspired by the style of Ghibli does not constitute a violation of the law, but reproducing a specific character or characteristic elements of their appearance can be considered plagiarism. This does not change the fact that the ethics of such behaviour are questionable, to say the least.

The situation becomes even more complicated when it comes to a co-authored work – according to Article 9(1) of the Act on Copyright and Related Rights – it is then necessary to obtain the consent of all co-authors to use the work.

Furthermore, in addition to copyright, a work can also be protected as a personal right.

High-profile lawsuits over training AI on other people’s work

There are an increasing number of lawsuits worldwide concerning the unauthorised use of works to train AI.

Examples of lawsuits over plagiarism in the context of AI training:

  • In 2019, Getty Images sued Google, accusing the company of copyright infringement. According to Getty, Google used millions of photos from its database to train its image search algorithm without permission.
  • In 2022, Getty Images was once again in the spotlight, this time suing Stability AI Inc. for the unauthorised use of millions of images to train its image generation system, Stable Diffusion. The case sparked a heated debate about copyright in the context of AI-generated content.
  • In March 2024, three American authors filed a lawsuit against NVIDIA in the Federal Court of California. They alleged that their books had been used without permission to train a generative AI model called NeMo.

Artists and AI – enthusiasm and concern

The perspective of artists is extremely important in this debate. For many of them, AI is an interesting experimental tool that allows them to explore new forms of expression. However, the growing number of graphics generated ‘in their style’ leads to a sense of loss of control over their own work and fears of the depreciation of their work. A survey conducted by the platform Book An Artist shows that as many as 74% of artists consider the use of their work to train artificial intelligence unethical.

Ghibli style AI

OpenAI’s new policy – a response to pressure from artists and users

The viral popularity of photo-ghibfication has led millions of users to upload their portraits to ChatGPT. In response to the controversy, OpenAI has therefore introduced restrictions on the generation of portraits in the style of living artists. Since 27 March 2025, ChatGPT has been blocking attempts to create images based on photos of real people, citing ‘content policy restrictions’. However, this change does not apply to studio styles (e.g. Ghibli), which raises doubts as to whether it is purely for image purposes.

Biometric data and user privacy

The viral popularity of the phenomenon known as ‘ghiblification’ – the stylisation of user photos to resemble the aesthetic known from Studio Ghibli – has led millions of people to upload their portraits to ChatGPT. Although OpenAI claims that the images are not stored after the session ends, privacy experts point out significant loopholes in this policy. Especially if the user does not select the opt-out option. Uploaded photos often contain biometric and location data as well as metadata that can be used to create detailed user profiles and for precise advertising targeting.

Ghibli style AI

Legal issues

Firstly, according to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR, the mere uploading of a photo can potentially be considered consent to its processing. In practice, this means that if the user has not opted out, OpenAI can legally use this data – also to train artificial intelligence models.

Read more here:

https://lbplegal.com/chat-gpt-vs-dane-osobowe/

Secondly, photos uploaded for ‘ghiblification’ often contain unique biometric data – faces of children, family members, as well as images from private situations such as holidays or family celebrations. According to experts, this type of data can be used in the future to improve facial recognition systems and, in extreme cases, even to create deepfakes.

What does the GPT Chat itself say about this?

Ethical alternatives – is ‘transparent and ethical’ artificial intelligence possible?

Some companies – such as Stability AI – allow creators to exclude their works from training sets, and Adobe Firefly has based its model exclusively on photos from legal banks, ensuring that creators are paid for the use of their materials. These approaches show that ethical cooperation between technology and art is possible – based on consent, transparency and benefit sharing.

Ghibli AI

Summary – art and AI: coexistence or conflict?

Artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities for artistic creativity, but it also poses enormous challenges related to copyright protection, privacy and ethics. It is crucial to develop clear legal regulations, mechanisms for remunerating creators and models based on respect for individual rights. Only then will it be possible for traditional art and innovative AI tools to coexist in harmony, in which technology does not replace humans but supports their creativity.

 

STEP platform – a new era for AI in the European Union

The European Union has taken ambitious steps to strengthen its position in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative technologies. A key element of this strategy is the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and the InvestAI initiative, which aim to increase investment and create a favourable ecosystem for AI development.

AI STEP EU

What is the STEP Platform?

The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is an EU initiative that supports the continent’s technological development and digital transformation. STEP focuses on three key areas:

  1. Digital and deep-tech technologies – innovations in AI, data processing and quantum computing.
  2. Clean and resource-efficient technologies – solutions for green energy and sustainable development.
  3. Biotechnologies – developments in pharmaceuticals, medicine and genetic engineering.

The STEP platform, which will be launched in 2024, coordinates funding from 11 existing EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and the Innovation Fund.

InvestAI – €200 billion for the development of AI

As part of the STEP platform, the European Commission announced the InvestAI initiative in February 2025, which aims to mobilise 200 billion euros for the development of AI.

Key elements of InvestAI:

  • 20 billion euros for AI gigafactories – development of computing infrastructure to train complex AI models.
  • Six AI gigafactories – training centres for state-of-the-art AI systems planned in the EU.
  • 100,000 next-generation AI chips – each factory will be equipped with advanced AI chips, increasing computing power in Europe.

InvestAI objectives

The InvestAI initiative aims not only to increase Europe’s competitiveness in the field of AI, but also to ensure that the development of this technology is in line with European values and ethical standards. As Ursula von der Leyen stated: ‘AI will improve our healthcare, boost our research and innovation and increase our competitiveness. We want AI to be a force for good and growth. We are doing this with our own European approach – based on openness, collaboration and excellent talent.

InvestAI funding and structure

InvestAI will comprise a multi-layered fund with shares with different risk and return profiles. Initial funding will come from existing EU funding programmes that have a digital component, such as the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes and InvestEU.

EU member states will also be able to contribute by programming funds from their cohesion policy envelopes.

AI STEP EU

AI Act – regulations for ethical artificial intelligence

Support for AI goes hand in hand with regulation. The AI Act, the first provisions of which came into force on 2 February 2025, introduces rules for the safe and ethical development of AI.

Key principles of the AI Act:

  1. Risk categorisation – the AI Act defines four risk categories for AI systems:
  • AI systems of unacceptable risk
  • High-risk AI systems
  • Limited-risk AI systems
  • Minimum-risk AI systems
  1. Exclusion of AI systems of unacceptable risk – elimination of technologies that threaten human rights.
  2. Strict requirements for high-risk systems – transparency, human oversight and risk management.
  3. Support for innovation – the AI Act not only regulates but also promotes the development of AI in Europe.

Synergy between investment and regulation

The combination of significant investment under InvestAI with comprehensive regulation under the AI Act creates a unique environment for the development of AI in Europe. This synergy aims to:

  1. Ensuring competitiveness – investments are intended to help European companies develop advanced AI technologies, while regulations are intended to ensure the trust of consumers and business partners.
  2. Promoting ethical AI – the European approach emphasises the development of AI in line with EU values, which can become a global standard.
  3. Stimulating innovation – a clear legal framework combined with access to funding is intended to encourage companies to innovate in the field of AI.

AI gigafactories – a new infrastructure for artificial intelligence

AI factories are a key element of the European AI strategy. The European Commission is funding six such factories, one of which will be built in Poznań.

The Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) has received 200 million PLN in funding from the EU programme for the development of the infrastructure of the Artificial Intelligence Factory in Poland. The European Commission’s decision is a key step in the implementation of the AI network strategy, which aims to strengthen Europe as a global leader in trustworthy artificial intelligence.

The AI Factories initiative involves the creation of an advanced energy network to support research and development, the integration of EuroHPC supercomputers, and the provision of data for the scientific and industrial sectors.

The project, carried out by PSNC, has received 200 million PLN (50 million EUR) from the European Commission, which increases the total pool of funds for the development of AI Factories in Poland to 340 million PLN.

The importance of AI Factories:

  • Modern infrastructure – will provide the necessary computing power for advanced AI models.
  • Innovation centres – facilitate cooperation between scientists, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
  • Democratisation of access to AI – enable access to AI technology not only for giants, but also for SMEs and universities.

AI STEP EU

Challenges and prospects for Europe in AI

 

Main challenges:

Opportunities and prospects:

 

  1. Global competition – Europe must compete with the USA and China.
  2. Market fragmentation – differences between EU countries can slow down the implementation of AI.
  3. Talent shortage – investment in education and retention of AI experts in Europe is necessary.
  4. Balance between regulation and innovation – finding a balance between protecting rights and developing technologies.
 

  • Europe as a leader in ethical AI – thanks to the AI Act and innovative investments.
  • New business opportunities in the health, industrial and energy sectors.
  • Increased competitiveness of the European economy.
  • Solving global problems – AI can help fight the climate crisis and epidemics.

How can an entrepreneur get involved in the STEP project and benefit from European Funds?

To get the opportunity to participate in the STEP project and benefit from funding under the European Funds for the Modern Economy Programme, entrepreneurs must start by submitting an application form at www.step.gov.pl.

The idea evaluation process takes only 7 days, and after a positive verification of the idea, the entrepreneur receives the support of an expert who will help analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the project. The expert will also indicate relevant sources of funding, competitions and institutions to submit applications to, as well as provide valuable tips to increase the chances of obtaining funds.

AI STEP EU

What projects are funded by STEP?

  1. R&D projects – activities aimed at achieving technological breakthroughs, improving technologies in line with market needs, including increasing their efficiency and reliability, and developing standards
  2. Projects involving investment – the creation of production lines, the establishment of first-of-a-kind facilities, the expansion or repurposing of existing facilities, the scaling up of processes to meet demand, or the implementation of quality control mechanisms to ensure the production of products of a consistently high quality.
  3. The production of critical technologies or
  4. Protection of value chains of critical technologies and raw materials, i.e. the production of
  • End products
  • Specific components
  • Specific machines mainly used to produce these end products
  • Critical raw materials listed in the annex of critical raw materials acts
  • Related services

Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/rozwoj-technologia/platforma-technologii-strategicznych-dla-europy-step

Summary

The STEP platform and InvestAI are key initiatives that can change Europe’s position in the global AI market. Huge investments, including 20 billion euros for AI gigafactories, combined with appropriate regulations (AI Act), create a solid foundation for the development of ethical artificial intelligence.

Despite global competition and challenges, Europe has the opportunity to become a leader in the development of ethical AI. Further investment and strategic action can contribute to a technological breakthrough and improve the quality of life of EU citizens.

Want to know more? Useful links:

https://www.poir.gov.pl/strony/o-programie/masz-pomysl-na-innowacyjny-projekt-skorzystaj-z-inicjatywy-step/

Obtaining a CASP licence – key information for crypto companies

The CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) licence is a mandatory licence under the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation that companies providing services related to crypto-assets in the European Union must obtain. This includes cryptocurrency exchanges and cryptocurrency exchange offices.

CASP

How to obtain a CASP licence?

In order to operate in the field of crypto assets in accordance with MiCA regulations, entrepreneurs must meet certain requirements and submit an application to the relevant supervisory authority in their country.

Requirements for physical presence in the EU

In accordance with Article 59(2) of MiCA, crypto asset service providers must:

  • Have their head office in a member state where they actually carry out at least part of their cryptoasset service business.
  • Have their place of effective management in the EU.
  • Have at least one director who is resident in the EU.

Therefore, purely virtual operations without a physical presence in the EU do not meet the regulatory requirements.Where do I apply for a CASP authorisation?

Entities applying for a CASP authorisation shall submit an application to the competent supervisory authority of their home Member State.

The home member state for a crypto-asset service provider will be the member state in which the crypto-asset service provider has its registered office.

CASP UE

Does the CASP authorisation allow for the provision of services throughout the EU?

Yes, once they have obtained a CASP licence, companies can provide crypto-asset services throughout the European Union under the freedom of establishment or the freedom to provide services. Importantly, cross-border activity does not require a physical presence in the host Member State.

Requirements for board members of entities applying for a CASP

Board members must:

  • They must be of good repute, have a clean criminal record and have appropriate knowledge and experience.
  • They must not have been convicted of offences relating to money laundering or terrorist financing or of other offences that could affect their good repute.
  • At least one board member must be resident in the Union.
  • They must also demonstrate that they are able to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfil their duties.
  • They must not be subject to any penalty under commercial law, insolvency law, financial services regulations, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations, anti-fraud regulations or professional liability regulations.

The fulfilment of these conditions must be documented with appropriate evidence and attached to the authorisation application. The supervisory authority will verify whether these conditions are actually met.

CASP

Documents required for the CASP authorisation application

The exact list of documents and information that must be included in the CASP application depends on the type of services that the applicant intends to provide according to Art. 3, Paragraph 1, No. 16 of the MiCA. Therefore, the first step in preparing an application should always be to identify the services you plan to provide and verify the requirements that the MiCA has set for the authorisation of these specific services.

However, based on the requirements set out in the MiCA regulation and the accompanying technical standards, it is possible to define a basic catalogue of documents and information that will need to be completed by an entity preparing to apply for a CASP licence. These will include:

  • Identification data of the applicant.
  • Articles of association or partnership agreement.
  • Programme of activities and type of services planned, as well as the place and manner in which they will be provided.
  • Proof of compliance with the prudential requirements set out in Article 67 of the MiCA (documents confirming the required funds or guarantees, insurance policies if applicable).
  • Description of management principles – organisational structure of the applicant and internal supervision system and decision-making procedures.
  • Proof of good repute and competence of the members of the management body – (Criminal records and CVs as well as information on experience).
  • Description of internal control and risk management procedures (Policies and procedures for identifying, assessing and managing risks, procedures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and a business continuity plan).
  • Technical documentation of ICT systems and security solutions with a non-technical description (Consistent non-technical description and business continuity policy, which includes ICT business continuity plans as well as ICT response and recovery plans).
  • Procedures for segregating crypto assets and customer funds.
  • Complaint handling procedures.
  • Cryptoasset custody policy (Required for custody service plans).
  • Description of trading platform operating rules (if applicable) – Platform rules and procedures and market abuse prevention system.
  • Confirmation of the knowledge and experience of persons providing advice or portfolio management (if we intend to provide crypto-asset advice or crypto-asset portfolio management services) – Documents confirming the competence and experience of advisors necessary to fulfil their duties.
  • Indication of the type of crypto assets to which the crypto asset service relates.
  • Systems and procedures to ensure the availability, authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of data.
  • Outsourcing policy, including policies on contingency plans and exit strategies, taking into account the scale, nature and scope of the crypto asset services provided.

CASP

Summary

Considering the detail and extent of the information and documents that must be attached to the CASP licence application, there is no doubt that this is a process that requires thorough preparation. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for a MICA licence, please contact us to make sure that your application meets all regulatory requirements! We will gladly help you prepare the relevant documentation and ensure compliance with MiCA regulations, as well as other regulations relevant to, among others, financial entities or those in the crypto-asset industry – in particular, GDPR or DORA.

Declassification of documents on the Kennedy assassination – sheds new light on historical events and the impact of technology on historical research

On 19.03.2025 – more than 60 years after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy – the administration of President Donald Trump declassified and made public thousands of pages of documents related to the event. This decision, which fulfils a promise made by Trump back in January, aims to increase transparency and satisfy the long-standing public interest in this case, which has fascinated and intrigued not only Americans but people all over the world for decades.

odtajniono dokumenty zamachu na Kennediego

The scale of the declassification and its significance

An impressive 80,000 pages from 1,123 different documents have been published on the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration website. This is a huge amount of material that covers a wide range of information related to the Kennedy assassination. The declassified documents include notes, interviews, witness statements and other material, some of which has been partially declassified before, while other material is completely new to the public.

The scale of this declassification is unprecedented and represents an important step towards a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding the assassination. These documents have the potential to shed new light on many aspects of the case that have remained unclear or have been the subject of speculation.

Legal and historical context

The publication of the documents is in accordance with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. This act required the disclosure of all records related to the assassination by 26 October 2017, unless the US president decided otherwise for reasons of national security. Both Trump and Joe Biden before him exercised this right to delay full disclosure of the documents.

The act was a response to growing public interest and numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. It aimed to provide more transparency and allow researchers and the public access to as much information as possible related to this tragic event.

odtajniono dokumenty zamachu na Kennediego

Expectations and scepticism among experts

Although the release of the documents has attracted a lot of attention, many experts remain sceptical about the possibility of revolutionary discoveries. Numerous experts claim that the new documents may complete the picture of the events, but are unlikely to fundamentally change our understanding of the attack.

This scepticism is due to the fact that much of the key information regarding the assassination has already been revealed, and the main lines of the investigation have been thoroughly examined by numerous commissions and independent researchers. Nevertheless, even minor details contained in the newly declassified documents may help to better understand the context and circumstances of this historical event.

Conspiracy theories and controversies

The Kennedy assassination has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories for years. Many people, including some members of the Kennedy family, question the official version of events. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of the assassinated president, has expressed controversial views suggesting the CIA’s involvement in his uncle’s death. Such a position, although not officially confirmed, shows how deeply rooted the doubts about the official version of events are.

Conspiracy theories range from suggestions of mafia involvement, to theories of Cuban agents, to speculation of an internal US government conspiracy. The declassification of the new documents has the potential to confirm or refute some of these theories, but it is equally likely to provide new material for further speculation.

odtajniono dokumenty zamachu na Kennediego

Significance for history and law

The declassification of the documents is of great importance, not only historically but also legally. It shows the importance of the balance between national security and the public’s right to information. The process also emphasises the role of the law in shaping historical narratives and ensuring transparency in government actions.

From a legal perspective, the declassification of these documents sets an important precedent for access to public information. It shows that even in matters of the utmost state importance, there is a possibility and a need to disclose information to the public, even if the process can take many years.

The declassification of such a large number of documents is also of great importance to historical researchers. Historians and analysts will now have access to new sources that can help verify existing theories or formulate new hypotheses about the Kennedy assassination.

ue odtajnianie dokumentów

What is the process of declassifying classified information in the EU?

And what about the declassification of information in the EU? The legal context for the protection of classified information in the European Union is complex and involves a number of regulations at both EU and national level. The key legal act in this area is Council Decision 2013/488/EU, which sets out the principles and minimum security standards for the protection of EU classified information. This information is divided into four categories: TRÈS SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET, SECRET UE/EU SECRET, CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL and RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED, each with a specific level of protection and access restrictions. This decision forms the basis for the protection of classified information in the EU, including the procedures for declassifying documents, which are regulated by various EU institutions, such as the Council of the EU, which has its own procedures for declassifying historical archives.

Regarding access to documents of EU institutions, Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (principle of openness) requires transparency of the EU institutions’ work and access to their documents. The specific provisions governing this access are contained in Regulation (EC) No. 1049/2001, which refers to the documents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. However, there is a clear tension between the principle of transparency and the need to protect classified information. Within this balance, EU institutions must strictly adhere to security rules while ensuring citizens’ access to documents, as long as it does not jeopardise the security or interests of the EU. These regulations are overseen by institutions such as the European Ombudsman and the European Data Protection Supervisor, who monitor compliance with regulations on the protection of classified information.

Although each EU member state has its own regulations on the protection of classified information, they must comply with the general principles set out by the EU, especially in the context of the exchange of information between member states and EU institutions. At the same time, the issue of declassifying documents, especially in the context of political decisions or court rulings, is often a source of controversy.

Recently, EU institutions have been criticised more and more often for excessive classification of information, which can limit transparency and citizens’ access to public information. An example of this is the current debate on declassifying documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

This action has sparked numerous discussions around the world about the role of document declassification in a historical and political context, which also relates to the European Union’s practices in the protection of classified documents.

ai documenty

AI technologies in historical research

Modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), play a key role in analysing and discovering new information contained in documents. Thanks to advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, researchers can quickly search huge collections of documents for key information. AI helps analyse text and identify patterns and relationships that could otherwise escape human researchers.

Network analysis is another application of AI technology that can provide new insights. Social network analysis tools allow the relationships between people, places and events mentioned in documents to be mapped. This can help to uncover previously unknown connections or to confirm existing theories about the people involved in the attack.

Furthermore, advanced data visualisation techniques make it possible to present complex information in a more accessible form, facilitating the analysis of connections, chronology of events and historical context. These innovative methods can help researchers better understand how the different elements related to the Kennedy assassination form a holistic picture of this key event in US history.

In the context of these new documents, technologies, including AI, provide invaluable support to researchers. Thanks to text and network analysis tools, it is possible to quickly reach key information that would be difficult to extract in the traditional way. Artificial intelligence allows for the analysis of huge data sets, which significantly speeds up the process of discovering new facts and drawing conclusions.

ai documenty

The role of new technologies in document analysis

Modern technologies play a key role in the analysis of such large amounts of data. Artificial intelligence and advanced text analysis algorithms can significantly speed up the process of reviewing and categorising information contained in declassified documents.

AI technologies in the service of history help to search thousands of pages faster for key words, phrases or patterns. Network analysis can help to map relationships between different people and events. These tools can also enable advanced data visualisation, making it easier to understand complex connections in documents.

Summary

The declassification of documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy marks an important moment in the history of the United States and global historical research. Although it will take researchers a long time to fully analyse the declassified documents, their very disclosure is an important step towards a fuller understanding of one of the most tragic and controversial events in US history.

Regardless of whether or not they yield groundbreaking discoveries, they will certainly contribute to the ongoing discussion about the role of transparency in a democratic society and the importance of access to information in shaping our understanding of history. At the same time, the use of modern technology in the analysis of these documents shows how contemporary tools can help in the study and interpretation of past events.

Time change and labour law – impact on working hours and wages

Changing the time, both from winter to summer time and from summer to winter time, is of significant importance in the context of labour law. In Poland, the time change is regulated by the Act on Official Time in the Territory of the Republic of Poland and relevant regulations of the Prime Minister. The practical consequences of these changes affect employees, especially those working at night.

zmiana czasu czas letni

Legal basis for time change

Time change in Poland is based on:

  • Act of 10 December 2003 on official time in the territory of the Republic of Poland (Journal of Laws 2004 No. 16 item 144),
  • Regulation of the Prime Minister of 4 March 2022 on the introduction and cancellation of Central European Summer Time in 2022–2026 (Journal of Laws 2022 item 539).

In practice, this means that the clocks are adjusted twice a year:

  • Change from winter to summer time – the hands of the clock are moved forward one hour (from 2:00 to 3:00), so that on that particular day we sleep one hour less.
  • Changing from summer to winter time – the hands are moved back an hour (from 3:00 to 2:00), which results in an hour more sleep 😉

zmiana czasu czas letni

Changing time and working time

Changing time has a direct impact on the working time of people working at night.

Changing from winter to summer time – shorter night shift

During the transition to daylight saving time, employees who work at night theoretically work an hour less. For example, if an employee has a shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., they will actually only work 7 hours because at 2 a.m. the clock will immediately jump to 3 a.m.

Will the employee get paid for this missing hour?

Yes! The Labour Code stipulates that the employee must be paid for this hour in full, even though he or she did not actually work it. This is based on the principle that the employee should not suffer financial loss due to regulations beyond his or her control.

Article 151⁷ of the Labour Code defines night time as the period between 21:00 and 7:00 and states that night work should not exceed 8 hours per day for particularly strenuous or dangerous work. In the context of the change from winter to summer time, the employee is also entitled to remuneration for the unworked hour resulting from the shortening of the night shift, but is not entitled to a night work allowance (for this one unworked hour).

This means that in the case of readiness to work and obstacles beyond the employee’s control, he is entitled to full pay, even though he actually worked 7 and not 8 hours on that day.

This rule is intended to protect the rights of employees and ensure that their working time and remuneration are fairly accounted for in accordance with applicable legal standards.

Daylight saving time change – additional hour of work

When the clocks go forward, the working time of the aforementioned employee on that particular day will increase by one hour, i.e. to 9 hours instead of the standard 8. In this situation, the additional hour

  • Is treated as overtime,
  • Is subject to settlement in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Code – the employee is, in principle, entitled to remuneration with an overtime allowance,
  • However, it can be compensated with time off at a ratio of 1:1 (at the employee’s request) or 1:1.5 (at the employer’s initiative).

In addition, if the extra hour falls during the night, the employee is entitled to a night-time bonus of 20% of the minimum hourly wage.

zmiana czasu czas letni

Employer obligations when changing the time

Changing the time means that employers must observe several key rules:

  1. Adjustment of work schedules – the employer should take into account the time change in work schedules to avoid overtime or staff shortages and ensure minimum rest time required by the Labour Code.
  2. Settling overtime – an extra hour of work when changing to winter time must be adequately paid or compensated with time off.
  3. Informing employees – employees should be aware of the rules regarding remuneration and settlement of working hours during the time change.

Time change and labour law – practical examples

Example 1 – shift worker (summer time to winter time change)

A security guard works the night shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. These hours correspond to the night shift defined by his employer in the internal regulations. At night, the clocks go back from 3:00 to 2:00. The effect? The employee works 9 hours instead of 8. The employer must pay the salary and overtime allowance or grant time off.

Example 2 – monthly-paid employee (change from winter to summer time)

A security guard who is paid a monthly salary should not be affected by the change from winter to summer time in terms of his salary – he will receive the full amount due to him.

Example 3 – hourly-paid employee (change from winter to summer time)

Similarly, a security guard paid by the hour will be paid for the number of hours he was supposed to work in a given month, even if he worked one hour less on a given day due to the summer time change.

Przykład 3 – pracownik wynagradzany stawką godzinową (zmiana czasu zimowego na letni) 

Podobnie pracownik ochrony wynagradzany stawką godzinową – , otrzyma on wynagrodzenie za taką liczbę godzin, jaka przypadała mu do przepracowania w danym miesiącu, nawet jeżeli w danym dniu pracował o jedną godzinę krócej z uwagi na zmianę czasu na letni.  

zmiana czasu czas letni

Which employees require special attention?

  • Art. 178 § 2 of the Labour Code – Employees taking care of a child until the age of 8. It is not possible to employ such an employee without their consent to work overtime, at night, in the working time system referred to in Art. 139, the intermittent working time system, or to delegate them outside their permanent workplace.
  • Art. 1517 § 3 of the Labour Code – persons performing particularly dangerous work at night or work associated with great physical or mental effort – in this case, the working time of such a person may not exceed 8 hours per day. This restriction does not apply to employees managing the workplace on behalf of the employer or to situations requiring rescue operations to be carried out in order to protect life or health, safeguard property, protect the environment or rectify a breakdown.
  • Art. 203 § 1 of the Labour Code – young employee – these persons may not be employed to work overtime or at night. This prohibition is absolute and is not waived by the employee’s consent.
  • Art. 15 of the Act of 27 August 1997 on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons. According to its content, the working time of a disabled person may not exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. The working hours of a disabled person with a severe or moderate degree of disability may not exceed 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. A disabled person may not be employed at night or during overtime. However, according to Article 16 of the Act, a disabled person may work at night if they are employed as a security guard and if, at their request, the doctor carrying out preventive examinations or, failing that, the doctor caring for that person gives their consent.

Summary

The change of time has significant consequences in the context of labour law, and its impact varies depending on whether it is a question of switching to summer or winter time. Key conclusions:

  • An employee working the night shift during the change of time from winter to summer receives remuneration for the hour not worked, but does not receive a night shift allowance for it.
  • An employee whose shift falls during the change from summer to winter time will work an extra hour, which constitutes overtime.
  • The employer is obliged to settle working time accordingly and to inform employees about the settlement rules.
  • It is worth keeping an eye on legislative changes, as there are increasing calls for the abolition of the time change in the European Union.

DORA: Register of ICT Contract Information – the Polish Financial Supervision Authority will soon give the ‘I’m checking’ signal

One of the important responsibilities that the DORA regulation imposes on financial entities is to maintain and submit to the Polish Financial Supervision Authority a register of information on ICT contracts (ROI).

This register is more than a list of contracts with ICT suppliers. Its purpose is to create a database of key information for ICT risk management. The ROI is intended to map the relationships between the financial entity and its suppliers, providing supervisory bodies with full insight and control over these relationships.

The deadline for preparing and submitting the first ROI to the KNF is approaching. According to the KNF, the first ROI reports will be submitted in April 2025 (the exact date will be announced at the beginning of April).

DORA: Rejestr informacji o umowach ICT

Scope of responsibilities and key challenges

In order to prepare the ROI, financial entities will have to collect a range of information, including:

  • Information on specific ICT contracts, including basic information such as the parties, the type of services, the dates of conclusion and validity, as well as more detailed information on the contract value, notice periods, place of service provision or data storage.
  • LEI numbers of ICT suppliers and subcontractors.
  • For contracts that support critical or important functions, comprehensive information about the supply chain is necessary.

For many financial institutions, the key challenge is obtaining data for the ROI register. This information is often not centrally collected, which requires the involvement of various organisational units and external ICT providers, which can delay the process.

DORA: Rejestr informacji o umowach ICT

Formal requirements, validation and changing guidelines

Collecting data is only the first step. The next challenge is to correctly fill in the ROI register in accordance with the requirements of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).

The reporting obligation will be fulfilled via the KNF reporting system, using dedicated ROI forms. The register must meet certain standards – incorrect data format, missing required fields or incorrect file name can result in rejection, which means urgent correction and resubmission.

The changing regulatory environment is an additional challenge. Taxonomies, forms and instructions are constantly updated, so financial institutions must follow KNF and EBA guidelines to comply with the latest requirements and avoid problems when submitting the register.

DORA: Rejestr informacji o umowach ICT

Consolidation of data in capital groups

For capital groups, the consolidation of the ROI register is an additional challenge. A financial entity required to maintain a consolidated ROI must include not only its own contracts with ICT suppliers, but also similar information from its subsidiaries (if they are subject to DORA).

For financial entities, this means the need to:

Verify whether and to what extent their ROI is subject to consolidation,

✔ If they are required to consolidate, obtain data from subsidiaries in time to verify it and enter it in the register.

Standardising the way data is reported by individual entities is key to avoiding inconsistencies in the consolidated ROI register.

DORA: Rejestr informacji o umowach ICT

How to prepare?

Due to the complexity of the process of preparing a correct ROI, in my opinion, the key to the success of the entire undertaking is the implementation of an internal process for preparing the register, which should include:

  1. careful familiarisation with the definitions in DORA and implementing acts, as well as the interpretation of KNF guidelines;
  2. for capital groups: identify the entities covered by the register – determine which entities within the financial group are subject to the reporting obligation;
  3. collect and complete data in the appropriate forms – identify missing information and contact suppliers to obtain it.
  4. comply with formats and taxonomy
  5. Regularly monitoring regulatory changes – keeping track of updates from the KNF and EBA to ensure that the organisation is working on the correct forms and in accordance with current guidelines.

o summarise…

The ICT Contract Information Register is a key obligation for financial entities covered by DORA, and its preparation requires time, special care and precision. Failure to comply with the PFSA’s requirements may result in the report being rejected and, in extreme cases, severe sanctions.

Financial institutions should work intensively on their records and also monitor updates provided by the PFSA and EBA, as changing guidelines may force additional adjustments in reporting.

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