AI is permeating all areas of our lives and work. Košice ironworks has also created a team of specialists who are dedicated to the development and operation of AI models. In our company, Lubomir Racko is responsible for the work of this team. He manages the day-to-day operations, the selection of the right projects, supervises their implementation, delivery and operation as the director of Data Studio Europe.

On September 11, 2026, Ľubomír Račko was awarded the badge of the Minister of Economy For Work Loyalty at a ceremony on the occasion of the Day of Miners, Metallurgists, Geologists and Oilmen in Banska Stiavnica.

The team he manages is exceptional

According to Lubomír Racko, working with people is a constant challenge. However, it is not the only one: "I operate in an area that is perhaps the most dynamically developing field ever, and therefore requires constant improvement of technical knowledge. In addition, these technologies, due to their maturity, place increased demands on the ability to understand them and transform them into solutions that help our factory stay on the market. And what is the most interesting thing about this job? There are many things that could be mentioned, but I personally think that working with such professionally skilled people as we have in the department brings me new knowledge and knowledge every day. I am sincerely pleased when we are able to pass them on to each other and move forward together."

When you say that you work in a good team, it sounds like a phrase. In the case of Lubomir Racko, however, it is definitely not a phrase: "The fact that I received the award is just the tip of the iceberg. Without the team I manage, it would not be possible if it were not exceptional. Exceptional not only for its technical level, but especially for its mutual interpersonal relationships. We are simply one group and we work together. Therefore, the award that was given to me certainly belongs to the whole team, not just me."

He has been working with "computers" all his life

Lubomir began to enjoy radio electronics already in elementary school. During my studies at high school, the first personal computers such as Atari, Commodore, ZX Spectrum and the like appeared. He began to see them as something that could work for him. The analogue world still prevailed, but new horizons were beginning to open up and he liked it very much. At university, he got into interdisciplinary studies. There it was already about production lines, manipulators, drive control, sensors, signals, robots and all this through digital technology: "That's when I understood what all this was actually good for. Since then, I have seen myself in industry and production, and I have stayed with this dream. Of course, I had to change the technology several times during my career, but it was still in our factory and it was still about "computers". And I hope it will continue to be so, even if... Will they still be just "computers"? Whatever it is, and however this technology develops, I want to continue working with it."

He devotes a third of his free time to his studies

Lubomir Racko also plays an important role in the development of other experts. He passes on his experience to the younger generation at lectures and other educational activities at universities and professional conferences.

Given the field in which he works and the dynamics of his development, his lifelong learning is also a necessity: "Throughout my career, I have had it so intertwined that education has been one of my hobbies. It is therefore difficult to separate the time, whether it is still working or whether it is already a hobby.  Of all the free time I have, I use about one third for studying."

The other two-thirds are divided between hiking, cycling, gardening, science fiction and crime literature: "I am still involved in microelectronics – the design and implementation of small devices with microprocessors, which has remained with me to this day. I'm also an aircraft modeler, so sometimes I build an airplane and fly it recreationally. I am also constantly interested in theoretical physics – I like to follow new discoveries in this field, especially when it comes to matter, energy or the universe as such."

It's already started!

When asked what he would like to achieve at work in the coming years, he replied as follows: "I will say it almost poetically – "it has already begun". I mean, of course, AI and its impact on our lives. I would like to prove that we will be able to live with AI in its other forms, that it will not become a threat to us, but a help. We will probably have to accept that he will probably become our everyday partner in the field of work, and maybe in the near future even a colleague, or even a kind of older brother."

Congratulations from the Vice President

"For more than three decades, Lubomir Racko has helped shape the technologies that support steel production in our steel company, earning the respect of his colleagues with his professionalism, curiosity and willingness to share his knowledge. Whether it's pioneering new digital capabilities, supporting artificial intelligence, or mentoring the next generation of professionals, Lubo constantly represents the best of our company and industry. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition," said Vice President for IT Dusan Stefanovic.

Photo: Jan Kisucky