CONFERENCE “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ERA”

In the International Center of UniCredit Bulbank in Sofia, the conference “Artificial Intelligence: Тhe new industrial era” was held during the General Assembly of Confindustria Bulgaria. At the event, initiated by the Group of Young Entrepreneurs of Confindustria Bulgaria, the significant opportunities for Italian companies in Bulgaria, through the integration of artificial intelligence in their production processes, were discussed.

Among the prominent participants were the Ambassador of Italy in Sofia H.E. Mrs. GiusepinaZzara, the Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva, the chairman of Confindustria Bulgaria, Roberto Santorelli, the chairman of the Group of Young Entrepreneurs of Confindustria Bulgaria, Andrea Contò and the chairman of Confindustria Eastern Europe Maria Luisa Meroni.

The conference highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence as a game changer capable of revolutionizing entire industries. To harness its potential, joint efforts with experts in the field and visionary action guided by fundamental principles are essential.

The European Commission’s Coordination Plan on Artificial Intelligence, launched in 2018, requires each member state to develop a national strategy on artificial intelligence. The proactive approach of Italy was mentioned, which in 2019 appointed a group of 30 experts who presented 82 proposals for a national strategy.Similarly, Bulgaria approved its national AI strategy on 16 December 2020, focusing on research capacity, promoting trust in AI and creating a regulatory framework. The establishment of the Institute of Computer Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Technologies (INSAIT) in 2022 marked a significant milestone for Bulgaria, as it became the first of its kind in Southeastern Europe.

Minister Stoycheva, an expert and teacher in the field of innovation, emphasized that companies that are members of Confindustria Bulgaria can apply for support under the “Innovations and Competitiveness in Enterprises” program. This support covers the implementation of already developed high-tech solutions and the successful application of artificial intelligence in various industrial sectors.