BULGARIA ENTERED THE TOP NETWORK FOR AI DEVELOPMENT

Bulgaria is the first country in Eastern Europe to join Europe’s most elite artificial intelligence development network ELLIS

Recently, Bulgaria, represented by the Institute for Systems and Artificial Intelligence Research (INSAIT), has been extended a coveted invitation to join the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS). This strategic move marks Bulgaria’s debut as a member of a select group of nations dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation.

The official announcement of this partnership was made by Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, joined by Professor Anastas Gerdzhikov, Rector of St. Sofia University Kliment Ohridski, and Professor Martin Vechev, the visionary behind INSAIT. The collaboration between these prominent entities signifies a significant stride toward enhancing Bulgaria’s influence in the global AI landscape.

Securing an invitation to ELLIS is no small feat. The stringent selection process scrutinized INSAIT’s Bulgarian candidacy for over a year. ELLIS, which stands as Europe’s paramount AI development network, aspires to position the continent as a preeminent force in AI innovation, challenging the supremacy of the United States and China.

Through the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and St. Kliment Ohridski”, the first point of the top network in the region – “ELLIS Unit Sofia” is established.One hallmark of ELLIS is its exclusive membership, which includes only the most distinguished research organizations worldwide that have demonstrated exceptional prowess in AI research. Today, INSAIT joins the ranks of esteemed institutions like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), EPFL (Lausanne), ETH Zurich, Max Planck Institute (Tubingen), Technion (Tel Aviv), TU Munich (Munich), Sorbonata (Paris), and more. This association propels Bulgaria into the upper echelons of AI research, fostering collaborations with global thought leaders.

INSAIT is the first institute of its kind in Eastern Europe. It is a partnership between Sofia University and the Swiss ETH Zurich and EPFL. The Bulgarian state will invest in the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology about 170 million BGN within 10 years.