Skip to main content

Latest

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly and so do the updates here. In this section, you can find the latest information on digital skills and jobs as well as upcoming events.

The News section highlights key updates on digital skills such as new initiatives and projects being rolled out, policy developments on the digital agenda, digital trends, etc. You can also see relevant digital up and re-skilling opportunities or understand how you or your organisation might be impacted.

The Events section showcases upcoming events related to digital skills and jobs, at both EU and national levels. These events may present networking, projects, or funding opportunities that you may find interesting to get involved in.

Keep yourself up to date with the digital transition and its impact.

News

FORECAST: TOP 10 MOST IN-DEMAND DIGITAL SKILLS

By NEWS
FORECAST: TOP 10 MOST IN-DEMAND DIGITAL SKILLS

25.05.2023 |

By 2025, people and machines will work the same number of hours. Automation will displace or modify around 85 million jobs, primarily those dominated by manual and routine repetitive tasks, according to a report by the World Economic Forum.

The need for a massive increase in digital skills has also been confirmed by a global survey conducted by HR company Adecco Group. In the survey, 69% of respondents expressed a desire for additional opportunities for upskilling in this area.

The global talent shortage further emphasizes the increasing importance of enhancing digital skills. The lack of qualified personnel with specific skills affects many industries, from manufacturing to supply chains and accounting.

Based on significant labor market changes and technological advancements, Adecco Group predicts that knowledge in the following ten areas will be most sought after by 2025:

  • Data analysis and cloud services (from architects and developers to data scientists)
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
  • Big Data Science (data analytics on large datasets)
  • Digital marketing and strategy development in this field
  • Process automation
  • Business development
  • Digital transformation
  • Information security (including cybersecurity)
  • Software and application development (UX/UI, blockchain programming)
  • Internet of Things (IoT)

However, the most sought-after skills are a combination of hard and soft skills. Therefore, in addition to technological skills, the list also includes skills such as:

  • Problem-solving
  • Emotional intelligence – the ability to understand oneself and others
  • Entrepreneurship and risk-taking
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Networking
  • Maintaining mental well-being – coping with stress, depression, and anxiety

“More than ever, people need to realize that their own development primarily depends on themselves. Upskilling and reskilling are the responsibility of both companies and employees,” emphasized Dr. Irina Yoncheva, HR Director at Adecco Bulgaria.

Details

Website

https://technews.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

ONLY 23% OF BULGARIANS HAVE DIGITAL SKILLS, KNSB WILL SUPPORT ITS MEMBERS IN ACQUIRING THEM

By NEWS
ONLY 23% OF BULGARIANS HAVE DIGITAL SKILLS, KNSB WILL SUPPORT ITS MEMBERS IN ACQUIRING THEM

23.05.2023 |

The use of rapidly evolving digital tools, applications, and systems is crucial for adapting to the modern demands of the labor market. At the same time, it is a challenge that stands before each of us and the entire society to keep up with technological advancements. In recent years, it has reached such dimensions globally that possessing digital skills has become important in every aspect of our lives.

That is why KNSB is closely monitoring the data on the level of digital skills in Bulgaria. According to Eurostat, our country ranks fourth from the bottom in the EU (behind Italy, Poland, and Romania) in terms of the percentage of the population with basic digital skills – 23.4%, compared to the EU average of 27.5%. Only 7.8% of individuals possess skills beyond the basic level (EU average: 26.5%). In terms of the share of individuals without any digital competencies, we only fare better than Romania (10.13%) – in Bulgaria, their share is 6.2%, while the EU average is 3%. Bulgaria also tops the negative ranking in terms of the share of the population that has not used the internet in the last three months and thus cannot have their digital skills and competencies evaluated – 24.7% compared to the EU average of 11%.

According to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), around 13% of Bulgarians have never used the internet, with the Northwestern region at 16% and the Southwestern region at 7.6%. An analysis of digital skills in 16 economic sectors in the country showed that only 19% of the workforce has digital competence for their respective positions. Against this backdrop, over 90% of job positions require specific types of digital skills.

The challenges of lifelong learning and limited investment in education delay the efforts of the EU to bridge the digital skills gap by 2030, according to representatives and experts from the EU who advocate for urgent support in enhancing skills and requalification for people of all ages. According to an OECD study, education remains low in many countries due to high costs and differences in quality, emphasizing the need for increased public investment in lifelong learning.

In light of all these data highlighting the critically low level of digital skills among Bulgarian citizens and the dramatic mismatch with the needs of the labor market, the government recently approved the possibility of funding digital and other key competencies. For the first time, training programs to acquire a specific level of digital competence will be financed.

With their experience, knowledge, and skills, KNSB (Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria) and the Institute for Social and Syndicate Research and Training will support the Bulgarian workforce in the process of acquiring these essential digital skills. The confederation will provide free training opportunities to all its members as well as anyone interested, across the entire country.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Digital skills

PROJECT “READY FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION”

By NEWS
PROJECT "READY FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION"

23.05.2023 |

An expert team within the project “Ready for Digital Transformation,” implemented by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), has developed eighty-seven standards for digital skills and competencies required for key positions in enterprises across sixteen sectors of the economy, as announced by the Chamber.

The project is funded by the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development” 2014-2020 and aims to enhance specific digital skills of the workforce in sixteen economic activities/sub-activities according to the Classification of Economic Activities 2008.

The development of competency profiles was preceded by analyses of the needs for digital skills in the sixteen sectors included in the project. The analyses revealed that only 19% of employees meet the required level of digital competence for their key positions.

Studies show that 53% of employers seek workers with an advanced level of basic digital competencies, while 14% require a highly specialized level. 31% would accept workers with a moderate level of basic digital competencies, and only 2% with a basic level. Regarding specific digital competencies, 59% of employers require an advanced level, 16% require a highly specialized level, 20% require a moderate level, and 5% require a basic level.

In other words, nearly 70% of the required proficiency levels in the profiles are for “advanced” and “highly specialized” levels of digital competence. This indicates the changing nature of work, the evolving nature of tasks performed in the workplace, and the increasing demands for digital skills in the transition to digitized jobs.

Against this backdrop, 38% of employees in the surveyed economic sectors possess only basic digital competence – minimal digital skills associated with the use of widely applicable standardized software products and digital technologies such as Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, internet use, digital communication platforms, etc. This reflects the quality and outcomes of basic education and vocational training.

Over 40% of the surveyed individuals have some degree of difficulty with digital skills, which inevitably affects the quality of their work, employability, and their ability to successfully transition in the labor market. Around 15% of the surveyed individuals face deepening problems with digital skills, which brings them closer to labor market exclusion, digital isolation, social and digital inequality.

According to the experts engaged in the BCCI project, the requirements for digital competence will continue to increase. The level of digital skills lags behind the pace and dynamics of the rising labor market demands. Mass training in basic digital competencies will somewhat improve the situation but will not meet the real needs of enterprises and employees.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital technology

Digital skills

THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (EIT) PLANS TO TRAIN 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN “DEEP TECH”

By NEWS
THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (EIT) PLANS TO TRAIN 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN "DEEP TECH"

23.05.2023 |

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) plans to train 1 million people in “deep tech” by the end of 2025 through its new program, the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative. European high schools, universities, companies, and other types of organizations, including Bulgarian ones, will be eligible to apply. The initial application process will start in November but will be limited to universities that have already collaborated with EIT through its HEI program. Subsequently, applications will be open to all other interested parties.

Bulgarian schools and universities will be able to apply through the program’s website starting in early 2023, when the program becomes open to institutions that have not previously worked with EIT. The program will initially be funded with €25 million from the EIT budget, but the institute hopes for significant co-financing from other interested parties invited to participate in the initiative.

“Deep tech” is a broad term that is not specifically defined. During the event, Martin Kern, the Director of EIT, described it as “anything that encompasses technology and science.” Several months ago, he provided this definition in an interview with “Kapital” magazine.

With this project, Europe aims to bridge the gap between itself and its technological competitors, namely the United States and China. Similar programs seek to train a large number of individuals from different countries while also fostering cohesion among representatives from various member states and language groups in the union.

Details

Target audience

 

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

REGISTRATION FOR JAVA2DAYS 2023 IS OFFICIALLY OPEN

By For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, Software engineering, Web development, In education, NEWS
REGISTRATION FOR JAVA2DAYS 2023 IS OFFICIALLY OPEN

17.05.2023 |

Registration for Java2Days 2023 is officially open! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the most anticipated Java event of the year, which will take place from 27 to 29 June in the beautiful seaside resort of Albena, located in a picturesque and ecologically clean bay on the Black Sea.

Java2Days 2023 promises to give you a unique and unforgettable experience, bringing together the brightest minds in the Java community for three action-packed days of innovative lectures, hands-on workshops and unparalleled networking opportunities.

By attending Java2Days 2023, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn from world-class speakers, including Java Champions and industry leaders, as they share their insights, experiences, and techniques to help you level up your Java game.
  • Dive into practical, skill-building workshops designed to sharpen your expertise and expand your knowledge of the Java ecosystem.
  • Participate in thought-provoking conversations exploring the future of Java and its impact on the ever-evolving world of technology.
  • Connect with fellow Java enthusiasts, developers, and professionals from around the globe to share ideas and forge lasting relationships.
  • Grab your limited-edition Java2Days 2023 swag and merchandise to show off your Java pride!

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to dive into the world of Java. The event will contribute significantly to your professional development. Secure your place at Java2Days 2023 today by selecting your ticket type here.

Register now and join to Java2Days for an extraordinary experience, where sun, sea, and code come together!

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Digital skills

G-7 CALLS FOR AI REGULATIONS

By AI & ML, For all, Audience, Technology, NEWS
G-7 CALLS FOR AI REGULATIONS

03.05.2023 |

G7 countries should adopt risk-based regulations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This is what the ministers in charge of the digitisation process recommended in a final statement released at the end of their two-day meeting in Takasaki, Reuters reports.

However, it is important that the regulations in question “preserve an open and favourable environment” for the development of technology and are based on democratic values.

Forum participants acknowledged that “the policy tools for achieving a common vision and credible forms of AI may vary among G7 member countries.” However, the agreement sets a milestone in the approach of major countries to AI governance amid privacy concerns and security risks.

“The conclusions of this G7 meeting show that we are definitely not alone in this respect,” said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s executive vice-president in charge of competition policy. She added that the European Union should also reach a political agreement this year on copyright protection for music and visual products created with machine-learning technologies.

Japan, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, has pledged support for the public and industrial deployment of artificial intelligence. Tokyo hopes to get the G7 countries “to agree on flexible and adaptive management,” said Industrial Competitiveness Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

THE MOST IMPORTANT CENTURY IN HUMAN HISTORY

By Web development, Mobile apps, Audience, Blockchain, Technology, Big data, Computing, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, AI & ML, AR & VR, Robotics, Software engineering, NEWS
THE MOST IMPORTANT CENTURY IN HUMAN HISTORY

03.05.2023 |

Could this century be the most important in human history? The 21st century has already proved to be a period of rapid growth. We are on the cusp of developing new technologies that could completely change the way people live – and could contribute to unprecedented levels of existential risk.

See how the decisions we make now could have a major impact on the future of humanity.

Directed by John Mays, AIM Creative Studios, narrated by George Zaydan, music by Andre Ayres.

Bulgarian subtitles available.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Microelectronics

Blockchain

Big Data

IoT

Software Engineering

Virtual Reality

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

TIPS FOR CONFIGURING YOUR OWN COMPUTER

By Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, For all, NEWS
TIPS FOR CONFIGURING YOUR OWN COMPUTER

03.05.2023 |

There are various options for optimizing a desktop computer besides the usual updates. Modern technology allows one to resort to assembling every single element in the box to arrive at the desired device in terms of features, parameters, even appearance. It is advisable to be familiar not only with the hardware configuration, but also with the software configuration in order for everything to function at the desired level.

Why configure a desktop computer yourself?

A large number of parts can be found at affordable prices and even if you have a limited budget, it is possible to carry out the configuration yourself. This way, you will be sure that every single detail or program will be placed and installed solely by you, even if it requires a longer job. Desktop devices can connect to multiple monitors simultaneously, and this way you can check if the video card is strong enough to support a certain resolution. According to different preferences, the computer case can be horizontal or vertical.

Mandatory components and how to choose the right ones?

The most important component modules for computer configuration include:

  • Processor – it is recommended to be compatible with the parameters of the other parts;
  • Motherboard – serves for most processes taking place in the device;
  • Video card – when assembling it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the monitor;
  • RAM – at a higher speed of loading programs and processing specialized information;
  • HDD – in the presence of a large database and files, increase the digital space.
  • If you have a laptop, you can also add an SSD to store more files and other information.

How to properly assemble the configuration?

It is recommended to connect the different components in the box consistently. Assembly, as with most technology products, starts with the internal components. Due to the presence of many connecting components, such as cables and circuit boards, you need to choose a suitable box to store the information and have enough space to avoid affecting the different parts. When combining multiple video cards or fans, choose an appropriate space so that the circuit board is not stressed by the high speeds created by intense operation. The configuration must meet the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Steps in assembling the computer

It is recommended that the components be assembled on a table or desk. The installation instructions should be read and applied carefully. The computer configuration requires a newer operating system, so use at least Windows 10. If additional coolers are added during the assembly process, it is desirable to apply the thermal paste carefully to avoid current interference. All cables and connecting components must be joined with the correct connectors. A complex part such as the motherboard, connect with a fine tool to avoid injury to the pins.

Advantages of self-assembly

The biggest advantage is the ability to freely select all the parts included in the machine. This allows you to select and combine the best for the given activity for which you will use the desktop computer. Subsequently, you will have the opportunity to improve the device and it will not be necessary to comply with the “latest” modifications of the respective company. Technology is constantly renewing itself, especially in the software aspect, so the configurations installed in the models should be flexible. Assembly will provide freedom for future requirements to optimize operations.

Installing the computer

The assembly consists of different details and configurations, depending on the desired result. When connecting to the power supply, pay attention to the number of sockets the power strip has. Some models require a certain voltage, so there is a danger of overheating or short-circuiting. After connecting the enclosure to the monitor and other accessories, pay attention to the placement of the external parts and whether you have enough cooling distance.

Configuration check

When finalizing the computer assembly process, it is imperative to start with a high load to check the durability and reliability of the machine. There is a specific mode of functionality for each component, and the compatibility between them is verified by different processes running under different types of operation. The assembly of the computer is complete when the configuration functions without slowdown, does not overheat and does not overload. Further improvements to the software part are also needed to make the components compatible and no “breakage”, even with USB connection.

After you finish assembling the computer, like a true PC Builder, it is imperative that you keep the boxes and additional warranty documents. The manufacturers of the process assemblies for all machines have specified a period of optimum activity, subject to compatibility of items. Exceeding the recommended performance can result in both technical and physical failures. The combination between components will allow you to create an optimal workstation suitable for your purposes.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Digital skills

TECHNOVATION 2023

By IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, AR & VR, Audience, Robotics, Technology, Software engineering, Computing, Web development, Telecommunications, Mobile apps, Digital marketing, Blockchain, Media literacy, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, NEWS
TECHNOVATION 2023

03.05.2023 |

ELEVATE. INTEGRATE. ACCELERATE.

 

ABOUT THE EVENT

Following the success of the first edition of Technovation, Manager magazine is preparing the second edition in 2023. This year’s Technovation event will discuss how the sector is developing in Bulgaria and around the world, as well as what investors are looking for and how to enter foreign markets. What kind of relationship will we develop with artificial intelligence? What does the next generation of technology have in store for us? How will the fintech scene evolve? What are some successful examples of creating new business opportunities through innovation?

In 4 discussion panels, leading executives and experts with recognized authority will discuss how technology is improving the business environment.

Audience: C-level reps/decision makers from tech companies as well as other sectors – retail, trade, heavy and light industry, transportation, healthcare; entrepreneurs; investors; consumers with a passion for technology.

Distribution: The event is being recorded and videos from the individual panels will be posted a few days after the event on manager.bg, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

This year’s tech event will look at:

  • How the sector is developing in Bulgaria and around the world, as well as what investors are looking for and how to enter foreign markets?
  • What relationships will we develop with artificial intelligence?
  • What does the next generation of technology have in store for us?
  • How will the fintech scene evolve?
  • What are some successful examples of creating new business opportunities through innovation?

 

PROGRAMME:

  • Panel One: Investments in tech: staying ahead
  • Panel Two: AI era: Hello, I am here
  • Panel Three: Fintech 2023: What’s coming?
  • Panel Four: Flying in the clouds

Details of the topics, panelists and a registration form for free attendance in the room can be found here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software Engineering

Web Development

Big Data

Telecommunications

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

THE BEST TEACHING PRACTICES FOR THE YEAR WERE AWARDED AT THE LARGEST EDUCATIONAL FORUM IN BULGARIA

By Robotics, Audience, Software engineering, Technology, Web development, Computing, Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Blockchain, Digital marketing, Big data, Media literacy, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, In education, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, Basic digital skills, NEWS
THE BEST TEACHING PRACTICES FOR THE YEAR WERE AWARDED AT THE LARGEST EDUCATIONAL FORUM IN BULGARIA

03.05.2023 |

Over 400 teachers, principals and education experts took part in this year’s edition of the educational event “Best Practices in Focus” on 29 and 30 April in Sofia.

Art Therapy Studio to improve students’ emotional competencies; project-based learning to celebrate the holidays of different ethnicities in school and develop tolerance among students; a student portfolio in biology to develop scientific literacy, short-term memory and motivation; and a comprehensive school strategy for environmental education and developing awareness of global challenges related to climate change. These are the educational practices that were rated highest in this year’s Best Practices in Focus competition. For the second year in a row, the competition collects, describes and promotes good examples of the work of teachers in Bulgaria.

The awards were presented on 29 April in Sofia during the largest educational event of the same name, which brought together more than 400 teachers, principals and educational experts to exchange experiences, inspiration, practical workshops and search for new approaches to engage students in the 21st century.

The organizers of the competition and the final event “Good Practices in Focus” are the Foundation “Together in class” and the educational website prepodavame.bg.

The winning practices are reviewed and evaluated by an expert jury of over 40 people. In the selection criteria, they look for practices that are effective, sustainable and improve the well-being of children, promote youth participation and support students’ academic progress.

“We often talk about what is not happening in Bulgarian classrooms, what needs to be changed and fixed. This gives the wrong impression that meaningful and inspiring things are not happening. With Good Practices in Focus, we want to show just how much resource and potential there is in the country’s schools. We have received many good examples that we believe will be useful for teachers in other schools – to find inspiration, to find like-minded people and to look for new opportunities to be even more helpful to their pupils.”

In addition to jury awards, audience awards and additional special awards were presented to some of the partners in the event.

In the program of the event, in addition to the awarding of the best practices, teachers from all over the country had the opportunity to participate in an important discussion on how we provide quality education to all students with the participation of Anelia Andreeva from the National Inspectorate of Education, representatives of the World Bank and education experts. [recording of the discussion coming soon]

After the discussion, the forum participants drew on the experience of Dr. Rima Shore, head of the Bank Street College of Education in New York. She inspired the attendees with a lecture on “Empowering Teachers”, which focused on the power and impact of teacher empowerment [lecture recording coming soon]. She also led two hands-on workshops on strategies for improving student well-being and progress and adapting best practices from elsewhere. The workshops were highly appreciated by teachers and helped many of them to imagine how they could innovate more in their teaching practice.

In addition to the international guest, the teachers at the forum learned experientially through practical workshops prepared by teachers from Sofia, Varna, Staza Zagora, Knezha, S. Bohot, S. Rumyantsevo.

The first day of the event also introduced teachers to over 30 educational organizations and initiatives during a special educational exhibition.

More about the event and a full list of the award winners can be found here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

REGISTRATION FOR THE COMPETITION “DIGITAL INNOVATORS IN EDUCATION” OPENS

By Telecommunications, Web development, Digital marketing, Mobile apps, Media literacy, Blockchain, 5G & WiFi, Big data, Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, In education, AI & ML, For the workforce, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, Audience, Basic digital skills, Technology, Robotics, Computing, Software engineering, NEWS
REGISTRATION FOR THE COMPETITION "DIGITAL INNOVATORS IN EDUCATION" OPENS

03.05.2023 |

Traditionally, the campaign and the award ceremony will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Science

From today, 3 May 2023, the registration for the Digital Innovators in Education Teacher Competition 2023, organised by BAIT for the fourth consecutive year, will open.

The aim of the competition is to reward and encourage best practices in the use of digital content, the connection of schools with business and the preparation for the establishment of STEM centers. The competition is looking for teachers – digital innovators, teaching from 1st to 12th grade.

All teachers, including assistant teachers, teaching students from 1st to 12th grade in all subjects included in the curricula of the Ministry of Education can participate. Any teacher may apply or be nominated* in one or more categories. (*Nominations also require completion of all fields on the application form, as well as supporting evidence.)

Registration in the competition is done by submitting an Application Form.

Deadline for registration: 26.05.2023 by 17:00.

Links to posts, testimonials, comments from students and parents on Facebook, LinkedIn, learning platforms, received via email, test scores, videos, links to materials and videos will be accepted.

The competition will determine award winners in the following 4 categories:

1.Technological Innovation:

  • Application of ICT in the overall learning process – tests, homework, visualization and examples;
  • Additional technological innovations – simulation environments, automation, generation of unique tests with the same degree of difficulty (scoring and individualization), authorship check;
  • Use of special technological tools in extracurricular activities – 3D printers, computer aided design systems /CAD systems/, virtual reality, etc.;
  • Contribution to the learning of the material (comparison of test results with previous years).

2. Quality learning content:

  • Interactive presentation of content: engaging students in the delivery and preparation of the lesson;
  • Learning through fun with a platform based on games and building different worlds that encourages creativity, collaboration and problem solving /games, quizzes and other forms with a competitive element/;
  • Feedback from parents , students and guest speakers;
  • Multiple use by other teachers and/or schools.

3. Practical orientation of information technology teaching:

  • Teacher participation in the Business Teaches NP (by updating knowledge and introducing examples from practice to enhance the practical focus of teaching and/or using practitioners as teaching assistants, guest lecturers). Using practical examples and knowledge of new technologies acquired during training in companies in the teaching process;
  • Other forms of collaboration with business to make classroom learning more practical;
  • Extracurricular forms of cooperation with business – internships, workshops and visits to companies.

4. Contribute to a quality STEM center:

  • Preparing for the use of the STEM center in the learning process;
  • Preparation of attractive and interactive content for after-school activities/clubs;
  • Preparing teachers to successfully use the technology tools in the STEM center;
  • Programs to generate interest in STEM;
  • STEM Skills Formation Programs.

The jury, which includes the members of the Management and Supervisory Boards of BAIT, will award the best applications from 1st to 3rd place in each of the four categories.

The winners will be awarded at an official ceremony at TechnoMagicLand on 27.06.2023.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital technology

Software Engineering

Telecommunications

Web Development

Big Data

Mobile apps

Digital Marketing

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Skills

USE AI PROACTIVELY WHILE RETAINING CONTROL OF DECISION MAKING

By Audience, Technology, AI & ML, For all, For ICT professionals, NEWS
USE AI PROACTIVELY WHILE RETAINING CONTROL OF DECISION MAKING

02.05.2023  |

Let’s make Bulgaria one of those economies in the world that with the help of AI increase their productivity and become more competitive.

This call was made by the Chairman of the Board of BASSCOM and the Board of BRAIT Dobroslav Dimitrov to the CEOs and their teams of Stara Planina Holding. The holding includes key companies, including M+S Hydraulics – hydraulic motors and steering controls, Hydraulic Elements and Systems AD – hydraulic cylinders, Elhim Iskra AD – accumulators, starter and traction batteries, Bulgarian Rose AD – essential oils, Ustrem AD – spare parts production etc.

Dobroslav Dimitrov was invited by the Chairman of AICB Vasil Velev to introduce the holding’s representatives with the new opportunities that artificial intelligence opens for business.

It is a multiplier of skills and productivity, increases capacity and gives an edge to companies that quickly manage to find its application, said Dobroslav Dimitrov. He explained how artificial intelligence works, how it is trained and what we can expect in the very near future from the development of the technology. He did not fail to touch upon important social challenges that we will face very soon – a widening gap between businesses and experts who apply artificial intelligence and those who do not; exacerbating social inequalities in societies and numerous moral dilemmas that this powerful technology poses for humans.

It is crucial that we, the people, retain control over decision-making. Artificial intelligence may have numerous suggestions on how to optimize our business, for example, but we, the owners and managers of the companies, are the ones who have to make the final decisions because we have the whole context conditioned by the human factor, Dobroslav Dimitrov further explained.

“We here in this room can do nothing against some madman in some cave starting to develop a biological weapon using artificial intelligence. But we can make sure that our companies do not suddenly start losing their contracts because other companies somewhere in the world have already implemented artificial intelligence and thanks to that they offer better conditions and lower prices,” Dobroslav Dimitrov said.

He outlined specific areas of application of artificial intelligence in mechanical engineering, ERP systems, database management, etc.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

WORDPRESS. MAT THAT THREW THE INTERNET INTO JAZZ

By 5G & WiFi, Basic digital skills, Software engineering, Web development, For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, Media literacy, NEWS
WORDPRESS. MAT THAT THREW THE INTERNET INTO JAZZ

12.05.2023 |

The story of WordPress is curious and exciting, it is one of those rare series of events that show how beautiful life online can be and what amazing possibilities it creates.

Today, different programming languages, platforms, and libraries are multiplying faster than ever, which is why it’s especially impressive that more than 1/3 of the sites on the Internet today are based… on the same technology. And it’s jazz-related.

WordPress came along at the right time to become the venture that allowed anyone to make their well-designed website easily and without digging deep. The story is particularly interesting, Matt Mullenweg created the platform willy-nilly, insisting on its independence and general accessibility while at the same time… managing to amass a serious fortune. And to remain one of the most positive characters in the times of ubiquitous internet.

Jazzzz

WordPress came along just in time at the moment when the web suddenly became accessible and websites were ready to offer a variety of content. The open source platform has rallied a huge community around it. Thanks to it, today it’s easier than ever to have a well-designed website without being a programmer, designer, or having any experience.

It’s very hard to realize what 1/3 of today’s internet means. Different sources give differing figures, but it is approximately 450 million web pages! With not only the number, but the ratio not stopping growing in recent years, WordPress is adding 2% to its “share” of the web per year, and some say it has even passed the 40% mark!

Today, the project’s main database houses 423,759 lines of code, and because the programmers work on a volunteer basis, 112 years of hours of work have been put into the project so far.

And it all started completely by accident, from the curiosity of a kid.

It’s 2003, and 19-year-old Matt Mullenweg is a freshman at the University of Houston. He decided to start a blog and chose the b2/cafelog platform. He wants to show his classmates the pictures he took on a trip to Washington. The blog was called Photomatt.net, and later became simply Ma.tt.

At that time only 2000 sites were made using b2/cafelog. The platform is far from perfect, Matt needs minor improvements so he can upload his photos. So he’s trying to get in touch with the people who created the project… And today, all of us who use WordPress are very lucky that he’s hitting rock bottom.

The creator of the platform is gone, and Matt decides to seek advice in one of the popular programming forums. “My blog’s software dilemma,” the youngster christens the topic, and explains, “The platform login software I use hasn’t been updated in months, and the main developer has disappeared. I can’t find him anywhere, but I hope he’s at least okay.”

Days pass, only one comment appears below. One Mike Little writes: “If you’re serious about the idea of making a successor to b2, I’d be interested in getting involved.”

Summertime

And then, things just happen. Slowly but surely, their project began to gain a following to become what WordPress is today – the platform that gives everyone the chance to be featured in the online world.

Symbolic or not, the project was officially created on April Fool’s Day, the date becoming WordPress’ birthday.

People don’t stop preferring WordPress until today because in its basic form, you don’t need to know how to code. The system is simple, intuitive, and time-tested. And if you do a little programming, you can develop your project without limits. Of course, there are no perfect solutions, WordPress is not always the best choice. But it’s definitely a myth that it’s only suitable for more modest projects, and today it’s used by BBC America, Bloomberg Professional, TechCrunch and The New Yorker.

But we mentioned jazz… What does it have to do with a platform for websites? It’s a stylish decision by the developers, which WP fans are well aware of, to name each new version of the platform after a favourite jazz artist. The first official version, from January 2004, is named after Miles Davis, and the latest, from November 2022, is named after pianist Mikhail Alperin – Misha. With the release of each new version, the creators of WordPress also release a short playlist of their favorite performances of the selected jazzman.

“Technology is most useful when it brings people together,” says Matt Mullenweg.

But how did he and his followers walk the long road to success? How did he manage to become a successful entrepreneur despite becoming popular with open source? What are the WordPress creator’s views on the future of the web and the big questions of today? Read on the Digital Stories website.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Web development

Software engineering

Digital skills

WOMEN WHO SHONE IN THE TECH WORLD

By Software engineering, Web development, Big data, Microelectronics, Audience, For all, Technology, Computing, Telecommunications, Media literacy, 5G & WiFi, IoT, NEWS
WOMEN WHO SHONE IN THE TECH WORLD

02.05.2023 |

Their stories are interesting and inspiring

Some think women don’t understand technology. However, this is far from the case and the proof is in the fact that there are many women professionals who have proven their worth in a wide variety of professions. We present to you a few of the most stunning ladies who have left their name in the history of programming:

Countess Ada Lovelace

Have you heard of her? She’s the daughter of the great poet George Byron. And shocking as it may be, she was the world’s first computer programmer. She was born in London in 1815. As a little girl, Ada loved to curl up in some secluded corner with a pen and a notebook. Her mother feared that her daughter had inherited her father’s literary talent and would carry on his work. Ada, however, was not interested in poetry at all-she was obsessed with the idea of the airplane she was designing.

When she was 17, Ada met mathematician Charles Babbage, who is known as the inventor of the first computer. The girl translated Babbage’s work, Elements of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Interestingly, the translation itself was accompanied by her personal explanations of 52 pages, writes iskamdaznam.

Among other things, she describes the algorithm for calculating Bernoulli’s numbers in order for the computer to understand them. Her calculation sequence can safely be considered the first computer program. Many of the girl’s ideas became the basis for the development of modern programming. In her notes, things like “work cell”, “subroutine”, “loop” are mentioned for the first time in the world.

Grace Hopper

As a child, she was famous for her proverbial curiosity. She remained so. Little Grace dismantled seven alarm clocks – quite puzzling her mother with these actions. Because of her father’s illness, she didn’t want to be another American wife who would be nothing more than a housewife. A decent dowry, however, was not as important as a good education. Therefore, the father chose the latter, which determined his daughter’s fate. The talented Grace Hopper quickly earned her doctorate at Yale. When World War II began, the girl went to serve in the Navy. In 1943, she was transferred to the Artillery Computer Bureau at Harvard University. She was among the first programmers of the Mark I computer. Grace Hopper created the COBOL programming language, which is still current. She first used the term “bug” in her bug report.

Marisa Mayer

Mayer breaks all existing stereotypes about female intelligence by becoming CEO of Yahoo! She was born into a family of an engineer and an artist in 1975 in Wisconsin, USA. After graduating with an MBA from Stanford, she began working at Google, where she became the first female software engineer. Later she worked from one department to another, doing web design, dealing with management, marketing, staff training. As a result, the indefatigable blonde found herself president of the IT product development department.

Marissa Mayer found herself in a difficult situation when she was offered the CEO position at Yahoo because she was pregnant. It is well known that this is not a prerequisite for career development. However, Marissa impressed the board of directors. The company’s management did not doubt for a moment that she was the one to lead Yahoo out of the crisis. After she left Yahoo in 2017, together with her colleague Munoz Torres, she founded Lumi Labs, which is a technology business incubator. The new company is based in Palo Alto, California, and its operations are focused on artificial intelligence and consumer media. She owes her career primarily to her character, which is an incredible “explosive mixture” of pedantry and workaholism.

Read more here.

Details

Website

www.businessnovinite.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital technology

Digital skills

Web development

Software engineering

MAY IN SOFTUNI

By For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, Software engineering, Web development, For all, In education, NEWS
MAY IN SOFTUNI

02.05.2023 |

We are pleased to introduce you to the new modules and courses launching at SoftUni in May.

The programme of each course has been selected and developed with the most sought-after skills by employers in mind. The technologies emphasized in them are in line with the latest trends.

  • On May 2 the advanced training “C++ Advanced” with lecturer Doncho Angelov will start: https://bit.ly/3mZhzVA
  • The new course “Containers and Cloud” with lecturer Martin Gradev will introduce you to best practices for creating containers with Docker: https://bit.ly/3oxLkNr
  • The “MySQL” course with lecturer Nikolay Bankin starts on May 10: https://bit.ly/40AS62v
  • With the training “HTML & CSS” with lecturer Konstantin Dankov you will learn to create modern websites with HTML & CSS: https://bit.ly/3V3BP4R
  • The module “Algorithms with Java” with speaker Nikolay Bankin starts on May 22: https://bit.ly/43VJ96G
  • The module “Algorithms with C#” with lecturer Atanas Atanasov starts on May 22: https://bit.ly/3LnfPPh
  • Microsoft Excel module with lecturer Desislava Topuzakova starts on May 25: https://bit.ly/43VP0ZN
  • Course “Microsoft Excel Fundamentals” with lecturer Desislava Topuzakova starts on May 25: https://bit.ly/3Arbe8g

You can find out more about the courses and modules here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Digital skills

Web development

Programming

SOFTWARE COMPANIES HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN AI-DRIVEN BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

By Audience, Technology, AI & ML, Software engineering, For all, For ICT professionals, NEWS
SOFTWARE COMPANIES HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN AI-DRIVEN BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

02.05.2023 |

If only six months ago we formulated BASCOM’s mission to lead Bulgaria and its economy through the revolution of digital transformation, now we are in a radically different situation – there is the fifth industrial revolution of artificial intelligence. We are literally six months away from cardinal change at all economic, social and societal levels. Software companies will play a key role in the business transformation brought about by artificial intelligence, but the state also needs to wake up urgently. This message was delivered by Dobroslav Dimitrov, Chairman of BASCOM, during the traditional spring meeting of software companies – members of the Association. This time the meeting was held in Blagoevgrad.

The Bulgarian economy is young and this often puts us at a disadvantage compared to economies with long-standing traditions, but now, thanks to the artificial intelligence revolution, we have the chance to be all equal at the starting line. But if we don’t make cardinal changes, both at business and government level, we will become redundant.

Software companies expressed concern about the ongoing political instability in the country, the compromising of the budgetary framework, possible new encroachments on the tax system and the departure from the euro area. Taking over the presidency of the Bulgarian Employers Association for Innovative Technologies (BRAIT), BASCOM will continue its insistent efforts to involve BRAIT in the national tripartite dialogue. The exponential development of artificial intelligence will confront all areas of the Bulgarian economy with a number of completely new challenges that will require an adequate technological response and lightning-fast adaptability if we are to remain competitive.

BASCOM reported progress on key priorities of the Association related to access to talent. Thanks to the united efforts of related associations in the ICT industry, the streamlined procedure for issuing blue cards, which attract highly qualified professionals from third countries outside the EU, is now a reality. Along this line, BASCOM’s ITogether.BG initiative to maintain active communication with Bulgarian IT communities abroad in order to promote Bulgarians as a good destination to live and pursue an IT career continues.

BASCOM’s parallel efforts to develop IT education continue. The Association’s initiative to study the successful models of existing IT schools such as TUES and schools in Burgas, Varna, Stara Zagora, etc. is gaining momentum with the aim of multiplying them in more regions of the country to a minimum of 10 new IT schools.

Regarding another priority of the Association – business development through experience sharing and improving the environment – BASCOM’s Business Tree initiative was successfully launched. In the dynamically changing business environment due to the invasion of artificial intelligence, the Business Tree discussion format will be the platform for sharing up-to-date professional experience at all levels in the software industry, as well as a platform for communication with other sectors of the Bulgarian economy.

The software companies from BASSCOM also held a meeting with students from Blagoevgrad, presenting the different roles in the sector, sharing experiences from business everyday life and the inspiring path of the speakers, the overall attitude and the important competencies and skills that are sought by employers. “Start early, be consistent, spend at least 8 hours a day on programming. In IT you don’t work, you are creators. Learning in this sector is for life. Artificial intelligence is used as an opportunity multiplier and to save time. It requires the programmer to develop a big picture view and not just focus on the code, but on the end product and the specific customer needs that are being addressed.” These were just some of the messages that the software sector sent to young talent.

When and at which stage of education to start working and how to successfully combine the two, how to choose the right role and company for you, what kind of people will be in demand and how companies will develop their strengths, what skills are needed, what are the types of professions in the IT industry, will artificial intelligence replace programmers – these were some of the questions in the discussion. The meeting was held at the American University in Blagoevgrad and was attended by both students and students with specialized IT training, as well as their teachers.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Software engineering

Digital skills

FEWER RESTRICTIONS ON TEACHING WILL LEAD TO HIGHER QUALITY SECONDARY EDUCATION

By For children, Audience, In education, Technology, Telecommunications, Digital marketing, Media literacy, Basic digital skills, Robotics, Software engineering, Web development, Mobile apps, NEWS
FEWER RESTRICTIONS ON TEACHING WILL LEAD TO HIGHER QUALITY SECONDARY EDUCATION

02.05.2023 |

Time to consider differentiated remuneration to retain good teachers in priority subjects

The frameworks set out by the Ministry of Education are the stumbling block in the modern training of young talent. The inability to have the power to implement a newer and genuinely useful approach to training processes. Freedom must be given. The head teacher should be able to assign classes to people from the business who within 4-5 hours can come and teach. This will certainly motivate the students, give them another perspective, and motivate the teachers, which in turn will raise the level and lead to better quality education in the state.

Around this opinion united teachers from the Professional High School of Computer Modeling and Computer Systems – city. Varna and Professional School of Computer Science and Mathematical Analysis “Prof. Minko Balkanski – town of Stara Zagora at the next meeting-discussion organized by BASCOM with IT schools in Bulgaria. At the meetings some of the most successful technology schools present and exchange best practices from their training models in order to study their experience and multiply it in other cities of the country. The moderator of the meeting was Ivan Rusev – part of the BASCOM working group that deals with education issues.

Both schools in Varna and Stara Zagora were established less than three years ago and are already an established centre of attraction for young people from their respective regions. Eng. Vyara Dukova, Director of the Professional High School of Computer Modelling and Computer Systems in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Varna, said that the curriculum is key for any high school. “The main thing we rely on is that in the elective classes children study mathematics. We believe that no engineer or programmer would be successful if they don’t have a good level of math knowledge. The idea of student learning is to achieve lasting knowledge in something, not to go over material that students cannot understand and master. It’s important for us to build a foundation that the business or university will then build on.”

Eng. Dukova is adamant that today’s children are very different in their perceptions and we should find an approach and language to them. “We have tried to build a model where university professors enter the classes at high school level. This was not a successful practice because the university lecturer imparts a knowledge while the student should be taught. Much more examples and work with children at the high school level is needed,” she says.

Kamelia Krumova, Director of PGKNMA “prof. Minko Balkanski” – town of Stara Zagora

The issue of personnel is another big topic that was discussed in the meeting.

“It is very difficult to find teachers who meet the requirements and at the same time to be able to retain them. Often they come to us for a period of time, we put resources into their education and before long the IT industry swallows them up. Teaching is not just a job, it’s a cause and it’s not for everyone,” said Kamelia Krumova, director of Prof. Minko Balkanski” – town of Stara Zagora. Kamelia Krumova added that we have many applications for teachers from people from other sectors, such as banking, who once acquired teaching qualifications and decided to try their hand as teachers years later. There is a need to find a mechanism to support these people, for example to update their knowledge and assess it, because in general there is a mistrust and among these candidates there may be many valuable educators with unrealised potential. As an advice to future technology schools in other cities, Ms. Krumova stressed that it is absolutely important to be able to rely on a core of great teachers in the first place, as well as on the strong support of the local government – the formula for success of the school in the city of Krumova. The main reason for the success of Stara Zagora’s school.

Dobroslav Dimitrov raised the topic of how long it takes teachers to prepare their materials and what a big effort it is. “I myself am the co-founder of a coder training academy, which I have been developing for 10 years and I know how labor-intensive the process is. I can boldly say that since two months we are much more productive thanks to the AI-based tools we implemented. It’s a colossal transition that can solve in a large percentage the problems with content creation or a complete course. Artificial intelligence could help teachers, for example, to come up with specific assignments or coursework for each student in a way that is interesting and personalised to their level of knowledge and understanding. Using these tools, good materials can be prepared and the overall teaching process can be improved. This frees up creative resources that could be directed towards students. The application of artificial intelligence makes sure that the new juniors are at the level of midlevel and this is already happening,” said Dobroslav Dimitrov.

The participants in the discussion were in consensus that at least twice a year IT school principals, together with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and business, need to meet to exchange information and share cases that can find their solution through such discussions. They re-emphasized the importance of having a regular government and a Minister of Education as soon as possible to address all the issues raised.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital technology

Digital skills

Artificial Intelligence

INFINEON WILL TRAIN DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN SOFIA

By OPPORTUNITIES: Training, Bulgarian, Bulgaria, Format of the training, In-person training, Training fee, English, Paid training, Other, Duration of training, Type of training, Language of the training, More than a year, Internship, Country providing the training, OPPORTUNITIES, Other trainings, NEWS
INFINEON WILL TRAIN DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN SOFIA

11.05.2023 |

  German chip manufacturer Infineon is entering into a partnership with the Technical University – Sofia, to train doctoral students through its Austrian subsidiary. This initiative is part of the European IPCEI project in microelectronics, which brings together companies and research organizations from different countries with the ultimate goal of strengthening the technological capacity of the industry in the EU.

The next stage in this collaboration is to expand the training opportunities to include master’s students as well. For Bulgarian students, this represents an opportunity to work on scientific projects in one of the world’s largest chip companies. The aim of IPCEI is to develop the capacity of the entire region, as stated by Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Austria, during the program presentation at the Technical University.

The IPCEI project offers various opportunities for master’s and doctoral students. They can stay at the university in Bulgaria but also receive a monthly stipend for a period of 3 to 4 years, explained Veneta Ivanova from Infineon Austria. There are also internship programs available for students, with the duration ranging from summer-only to 6 to 12 months, depending on the research topic.

According to Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Austria, Bulgaria has strong traditions and know-how in technologies, making it an ideal environment for such investments. She mentioned that Sofia is just an hour and a half away by plane from Vienna, which has also been a significant advantage in choosing the Technical University as a partner in this endeavor. She added that the best innovation ecosystem consists of research organizations, universities, and companies. The closer they collaborate, the faster they can deliver the best possible technologies and products to customers and consumers. Therefore, she emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation not only in Austria but throughout Europe.

Infineon Austria is part of the German company Infineon Technologies, which ranks among the top 20 global chip manufacturers. The group has produced 9.4 billion chips in the past year. The Austrian division had a turnover of 5.2 billion euros and nearly 5,500 employees for the previous year, accounting for approximately 10% of the group’s results.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Microchips

TO BE FILLED: Here should be the title of the news in capital letters. The same title goes in the section above "ADD TITLE".

dd.mm.2023

TO BE FILLED: A brief summary is placed here, followed by the text about the event.

Details

Website

www.digitalalliance.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

DIGITALK CONFERENCE – FOR GAME CHANGERS WITH BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS

By AR & VR, Robotics, Software engineering, Web development, Audience, Mobile apps, Technology, Blockchain, Computing, Big data, Telecommunications, For all, Digital marketing, For the workforce, Cybersecurity, For ICT professionals, AI & ML, NEWS
DIGITALK CONFERENCE - FOR GAME CHANGERS WITH BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS

28.04.2023 |

Sofia Event Center & ONLINE

18 May 2023

 

1 DAY FULL OF VALUABLE CONTENT

40+ SPEAKERS

1000+ VISITORS ON SITE & ONLINE

UNLIMITED ON DEMAND RESOURCES

In its 2023 edition, Digitalk will present people, innovation and technology breakthroughs that will drive humanity and businesses forward. Ambitious companies will not try to build a bridge to the past, but instead, embrace the disruption and use their investments and best ideas to design a new future.

KEY TOPICS

Great reasons to attend

  • Breakthrough business models and ideas
  • Elevating the local ecosystem
  • The rise of purpose-driven investments
  • Transformational power of climate-tech
  • VC changed priorities: The focus of the new cycle
  • The next еra for startups: from growth to profitability 

SPEAKERS

  • Andrew Keen, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Silicon Valley innovation salon FutureCast
  • Danijel Višević , FOUNDING PARTNER, CREATE CLIMATE TECH LEADERS, World Fund
  • Federico Menna , CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER , EIT Digital
  • Maryan Rizinski , MANAGER OF TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS CONSULTING , Bosch Digital Bulgaria
  • Alex Yochev , APPLICATION INNOVATION LEAD, CEMA , Microsoft
  • Radosław Kędzia , VP CEE & NORDIC EUROPE REGION , Huawei

All lectors, Agenda and TICKETS here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Web development

Mobile apps

Telecommunications

Software engineering

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

HOW TALENT IS DEVELOPED – TBS ACADEMY

By Robotics, Software engineering, Web development, Audience, Mobile apps, Technology, Blockchain, Computing, Big data, Telecommunications, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, In education, AI & ML, For the workforce, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, NEWS
HOW TALENT IS DEVELOPED - TBS ACADEMY

28.04.2023 |

The shortage of staff in the IT sector is an undeniable fact. The right way to address it is multi-layered and dynamic, just like the industry itself. “TBS Academy” was established with a clear mission – to offer the best practical and personalized training in the field of IT infrastructure.

Established in 2021, “TBS Academy” has been able to train a total of 40 professionals, 21 of whom are already working in the company, having chosen the department they want to develop in themselves. Completely free of charge, the Academy enables anyone with an interest in the field to not only gain knowledge, but also to get a chance for future career development at TBS after successfully completing the training. At its core are the drive of the teaching team and a clear awareness of a holistic transformation of learners. The academy is gaining popularity, starting with 25 candidates in 2021, a number that has grown significantly to 122 for the last training.

A new, more ambitious stage in the Academy’s history, encouraged by its great success, is its expansion to other Balkan countries following the same model, with TBS offices becoming educational hubs of sorts. Up-to-date, different and practically oriented, the Academy successfully combines ambition and the drive for knowledge with the need for well-trained IT staff.

About the Academy

The training starts with a three-month technology-focused theoretical part that covers the basics of modern IT infrastructure. Upon successful completion of the first stage, it progresses to a paid three-month practical internship, during which trainees get the opportunity to get involved in real company projects on an ongoing basis. For many, the final step is to start a job at TBS that guides them in their overall career development.

After gaining hands-on experience, new experts are encouraged to take a company-sponsored, internationally recognized certification exam. For this purpose, the Academy’s own certification centre, part of the Pearson VUE network, is located in the TBS office in Sofia. It is also available to external candidates. The centre offers certification exams of leading IT companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, Dell, IBM and many others. Nearly 300 certification exams have been conducted in the last year, half of them by TBS employees and the other half by external candidates.

Since human resource is the core of TBS’s progress, creating professionals with the right focus and understanding of market needs is an absolute must. It is crucial to invest in initiatives that support and develop young professionals. Thanks to optimized training content, adequate planning and vast teaching experience, the “TBS Academy” is considered one of the main pillars in the company’s strategic development. Future trainings will build on the knowledge base in line with TBS’s long-term vision and with a focus on current expert needs.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Big data

Telecommunications

AI

Blockchain

BANKING TODAY CONFERENCE – THE EVOLUTION OF BANKING

By Audience, Technology, Software engineering, Web development, Mobile apps, Blockchain, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, NEWS
BANKING TODAY CONFERENCE - THE EVOLUTION OF BANKING

28.04.2023 |

Your bank today is the bank of your future yesterday. The new edition of the Banking Today specialised banking conference will showcase the banks that have entered the new “customer-first” era.

In a high level of discussion, three panels will discuss the new architecture that banks are creating to improve the experience for their customers, as well as the specifics of fintech engines. Representatives from leading financial institutions and regulators in Bulgaria will provide their expertise and professional insight on the macroeconomic changes that will impact the banking and financial market in the country. They will also outline what new business-useful products and services the sector will offer in 2023.

When: 4 May 2023

Where: Inter Expo Center

Highlights of the Banking Today programme:

  • Evolution of banking
  • Fin-tech payments – anywhere, anytime
  • ESG – green gets real
  • Infrastructure for fintech innovation
  • Interest rates and inflation, what to expect from the second half of 2023.
  • 2024 – a key year for the euro and Bulgaria

Audience:

Representatives of the banking and financial industry, business representatives, consultants, CFO managers of large companies, representatives of regulatory frameworks, fintech companies.

More about the program, speakers and REGISTRATION HERE.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

Software engineering

Mobile apps

Blockchain

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

SCHOLARSHIP FUND “GO, STUDY AND COME BACK”

By AR & VR, Robotics, Audience, Software engineering, Technology, Web development, Computing, Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Blockchain, Digital marketing, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, In education, IoT, For ICT professionals, AI & ML, NEWS
SCHOLARSHIP FUND "GO, STUDY AND COME BACK"

28.04.2023 |

The Tuk-Tam “Go, Study and Come Back” Scholarship Fund is launching for the eighth consecutive year and will be the largest ever with a total fund of nearly 100,000 BGN!

The fund is a Tuk-Tam initiative that supports motivated Bulgarians to continue their education with a Master’s degree at a foreign university, and then apply what they learn here – this is how we build a brighter future in Bulgaria.

You can take part in the competition REGARDLESS of the field and country you apply to, as long as you have:

  • Bulgarian citizenship
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree obtained by 31 July 2023
  • Started application process to a Master’s programme at a foreign university
  • At least B2 level of proficiency in the language in which the training will be conducted
  • A clear intention to pursue a career in Bulgaria.

If you are targeting an Engineering (or similar) Master’s degree abroad, you can apply for the 10,000 BGN Specialist Scholarship from Sensata Technologies.

Apply by May 10! More about the fields, as well as all the conditions and the application form, can be found here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Telecommunications

Big data

Mobile apps

Web development

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

EUROPEAN DIGITAL INNOVATION HUB “TRAKIA” OPENED IN PLOVDIV

By Software engineering, Audience, Web development, Technology, Mobile apps, Computing, Blockchain, Telecommunications, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, AR & VR, Robotics, NEWS
EUROPEAN DIGITAL INNOVATION HUB "TRAKIA" OPENED IN PLOVDIV

28.04.2023 |

The European Digital Innovation Hub “Trakia” was officially opened – a joint project between the Union for Business Initiative, the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, the University of Plovdiv “St. Paisii Hilendarski”, the Bulgarian Association for Cybersecurity and the Municipality of Plovdiv.

The European Digital Innovation Hub aims to lead to digital transformation and network security in municipal structures, small and medium-sized enterprises in the south-central region of Bulgaria, as well as to assist the process of attracting foreign and national investments in industries with high added value.

“The role of the European digital innovation hub Trakia is to provide businesses and local administration with innovative digital solutions and integrate them into their daily activities. It provides a free range of services for cyber security, access to finance, education and networking for all interested parties”, explained during the opening the chairman of the Union for Business Initiative and project coordinator Vaska Baklarova.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Electronic Government Georgi Todorov, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Yanko Topalov, the Deputy Mayor Todor Chonov, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Communication and Information Technologies at the BAS Assoc. Velizar Shalamanov, the national coordinator on cyber security for Bulgaria Petar Kirkov and others.

“One of the main priorities of the Cabinet is to improve digital connectivity. A leading condition for this is the development and effective implementation of new technologies. Today we are opening the European Digital Innovation Hub and with this we are demonstrating a step forward”, said the Minister of e-Government, Georgi Todorov.

He added that, according to his team’s research, companies that follow the digital transformation path are more profitable and their market valuation is higher than the industry average.

Deputy Mayor Todor Chonov also welcomed the initiative and reminded that in 2022 Plovdiv Municipality became a full member of the European Digital Innovation Hub “Trakia”.

“As the second largest municipality in Bulgaria, Plovdiv Municipality is obliged to be among the leaders in the development of digital transformation. The municipal administration is gradually and surely changing under the impact of the ever-increasing digitalization. This is a process in which I am sure that our joint work will upgrade the knowledge, skills and competences of municipal employees,” said Chonov.

The event also includes a forum with two discussion panels – European Digital Innovation Hub “Thrace” – a bridge in public-private partnership and Funding opportunities for digital transformation and cybersecurity for business.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Telecommunications

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

SKILLO: MISSION QUALITY IT EDUCATION POSSIBLE

By Software engineering, Technology, Web development, Computing, Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Blockchain, Digital marketing, Big data, Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, For all, AI & ML, In education, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, Basic digital skills, Robotics, Audience, NEWS
SKILLO: MISSION QUALITY IT EDUCATION POSSIBLE

28.04.2023 |

In 1989, the film Dead Poets Society was released, in which a host of well-known actors reflect on the meaning of life, the cost of human achievement and the heights to which the human spirit can reach through education and the search for what is meaningful in life. It is there that Robin Williams impersonates the teacher John Keating and says the following to his students:

„No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.“

“At Skillo, this is one of the pillars that drives and motivates us to work relentlessly to create a quality learning environment for IT people who truly want to develop themselves to move the world and bring quality change to society and themselves.”

And who is Skillo, anyway?

Skillo is a Bulgarian company founded in 2018 by two IT professionals – Petar Milev and Hussein Turkmen. Former colleagues and current friends and business partners, Pesho and Hugh, as everyone calls them, not only share many years of experience as IT professionals in leadership positions, but also united around the mission to create a company with a special cause – building an IT academy, with the belief that Bulgaria has a lot of potential talent and conditions that can make our country the Silicon Valley of Europe, but it takes a qualitative change of the educational environment in which people grow and learn for this to happen. The Academy works both with individual learners and with some of the largest IT companies in our market as corporate clients.

Apart from the IT academy, in the years back they developed another business line that works on recruitment and development of IT professionals through which they have the opportunity to connect professionals in the market with attractive and meaningful job opportunities.

Today we bring you an interview with Hugh, who talks a bit more about Skillo’s IT Academy and in particular how by developing good educators and good IT professionals, we are actually changing the whole industry.

Hugh, tell us briefly about yourself and how your journey as a professional and teacher started?

My start in the IT industry was more than 12 years ago when I started as a Database Developer, but very quickly I realized that software testing was what I was really interested in and I knew I would be good at it. After intense years of learning and lots of practice, I was able to move through various projects and roles where I had the opportunity to both manage teams and interview IT professionals as well as create and build testing processes, environments and be responsible for overall product quality. About 9 years ago was also my first exposure to teaching. Up until that point, I had done in-house training for my colleagues, but it’s very different to train people who are already in the industry and those who are yet to enter the field. So, a friend of mine invited me to teach Software Testing Fundamentals at the school where he was lecturing and I decided to give it a try. It was a big challenge for me, but I knew I could do it because I had a strong interest, and usually when something is interesting and really important to you, you can’t help but do well.

How did you feel in the beginning as a young teacher and what motivated you to develop in this role?

I remember at the beginning I was very excited but also nervous. I had to put in a lot of hours of effort preparing lectures, practicing the actual teaching and delivery of the information, and thinking about how to optimize the content that I would teach to the students so that they would get the most out of the course time. My motivation has always been about two main things: by teaching, you are making a multiplied contribution of your knowledge and skills and secondly, you are a change generator for the future professionals who are now starting their education and development in IT.

Could you explain in a little more detail what it means to multiply your contribution of knowledge and skills?

Imagine a professional who is good at what they do, goes to work accordingly, applies their knowledge and skills and gets paid for it. In such a situation, the contribution is 1:1 – you contribute certain knowledge, you put in effort and you get paid for it. In teaching, however, you are still using the same knowledge that you do your job with, but by teaching people who draw on your knowledge, you multiply the effect of what you achieve. For me, that has always been a tremendous motivator to keep doing teaching, besides of course the fact that I enjoy doing it.

You have built up quite a few faculty members yourself, some of whom are now part of the Skillo teaching staff. Tell us a bit more about the key skills of a good tutor.

Of course, for all lecturers there is one set of classic skills that are a must – for example good presentation skills, freedom to speak in front of an audience, clear diction, structured thought, working within the tight time frame of a lecture, being able to moderate a discussion etc. At the same time, there are more specific skills for being a good IT teacher.
However, before we talk about skills, good teachers are first and foremost good professionals in their field. If they don’t have years of practical experience behind them that allow them to see many different work cases, they won’t have a base from which to share experience and knowledge. Otherwise, on the topic of skills – a key one is for the teacher to be able to explain technical matter in an understandable and accessible way to people who are not technical specialists, giving accessible and easy to understand examples and explanations. This is something I have worked hard to develop myself and I know it takes time. It’s also very important not to leave the trainees with the feeling that you are the knower and they know nothing, because that would inhibit them and shut them down to the learning process.
Another very important thing is that the trainer actively works with the group – both to stimulate those who are active and to motivate those trainees who are quieter and more withdrawn. It is important to find the pace of the group – neither too fast nor too slow. Also to give the participants the opportunity to think and solve cases and problems in which the teacher does not give the ready answer, but moderates the process of searching and discovering the solution to the problem together with the group.

Does the teacher need to adapt to the group of students?

Certainly adaptability and a personalised approach are particularly important for a good tutor. Every group I’ve taught over the years has been different from others and there is no one-size-fits-all approach that will always work. It’s important for me to break up the group environment, to be able to achieve a more informal feel where people relax and friendships are made, jokes are shared, work cases are thought about together and experiences are shared. Along these lines, the tutor needs to have a good sense of humour, but also the social intelligence to make sure that the group environment is respectful of everyone and not discriminatory or exclusionary towards any of the students. Now with the current virtual environment we are teaching in it is very important to motivate people to put their cameras down and participate fully in the lecture because the distractions when we are in a digital environment are many and the lecturer sometimes has an unequal battle. However, I always set rules for the group and frame virtual hygiene.

You can read the full interview here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Telecommunications

AI

Digital skills

CAREER SHOW TECH 2023

By Technology, Mobile apps, Computing, Blockchain, Telecommunications, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, In education, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, AR & VR, Robotics, Software engineering, Audience, Web development, NEWS
CAREER SHOW TECH 2023

10.05.2023 |

Career Show Tech 2023 is a specialized online event for career and development in IT! The event is completely free and will take place on 18 and 19 May entirely online.

At Career Show Tech 2023, over 100 employers with open positions for IT professionals are waiting for you to speak directly about the positions that may interest you. You’ll meet representatives from the world’s top companies such as Youtube, Binance, Dyson, KBC Global Services, Accenture, Dynamo Software, Luxoft and many more.

Speakers at the seminar program will be founders of a number of technology companies and senior engineers who will talk about:

  • Artificial intelligence and the future of technology professions
  • Is it worth pursuing a career in cloud technology?
  • Is it possible to work entirely in Web3?
  • How do you create Android apps without being a programmer?

For additional information and to register visit www.careershow.bg.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Blockchain

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

DARE 2 SCALE

By Computing, Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Blockchain, Digital marketing, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For the workforce, IoT, For ICT professionals, AI & ML, AR & VR, Robotics, Audience, Software engineering, Technology, Web development, NEWS
DARE 2 SCALE

28.04.2023 |

The growth program for the most promising companies in Bulgaria!

One of Endeavor’s most successful growth programs – Dare to Scale (D2S) will be held for the fifth consecutive year in Sofia and will last four months – from September to December 2023.

What is Dare to Scale

Dare to Scale is a 4-month accelerator for entrepreneurs who want to scale their already profitable business with the help of expert mentoring and networking. The program aims to support Bulgarian late-stage startups in their quest to become globally competitive, growth-oriented and sustainable enterprises.

Each year, the program partners, together with the Endeavor network, interview shortlisted candidates and select a group of 6-12 ambitious companies to join Dare to Scale.

About the programme

Company founders will have the opportunity to participate in specialized trainings in key areas for the development of any scaling business: organization management, marketing and sales, business planning and recruitment of capital. The program will conclude with the final Demo Day event, during which companies will present their businesses to a panel of established business leaders.

Admissions for the fifth edition of the program are currently underway! Companies based in Bulgaria, with a turnover of over BGN 200 000 for the past year and up to 150 employees can apply.

The deadline for applications is 30 April 2023.

Detailed information here

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Software engineering

Web development

Bid data

Telecommunications

CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS AT IT

By Blockchain, 5G & WiFi, Big data, Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, For all, AI & ML, For children, AR & VR, In education, Audience, Basic digital skills, Technology, Robotics, Computing, Software engineering, Telecommunications, Web development, Digital marketing, Mobile apps, Media literacy, NEWS
CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS AT IT

28.04.2023 |

Are you currently considering your career path after graduation? Have you thought about the dynamic and constantly evolving field of IT? Look no further! Join this upcoming event to learn about the exciting opportunities available as a programmer or designer. Take the first step towards your dream career and discover the opportunities that await you!

When?

04 May at 19:00

Where?

We are waiting for you at the boulevard. “Blvd. “Cherni Vrah” 51, floor 2″ (The entrance is on the back side of the building, from Boris Nikolov – Mokata Str.)

What is the event?

The event will take the form of a discussion, with a short presentation. The best teachers from IT STEP ACADEMY ( in the field of “Programming” and “Design”) will participate in it. You will have the opportunity to get to know their stories and get inspiration from their experience.

The event will be held in two parts (in two different rooms), and you will be able to choose where you want to attend and which is the most curious and useful for you.

Confirm your attendance by registering here.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for kids

Digital technology

Digital skills

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Telecommunications

IT ACADEMY AND COMPANY-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

By In education, For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, Software engineering, Web development, For all, NEWS
IT ACADEMY AND COMPANY-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

28.04.2023 |

SKILLO is a specialized training center for software technologies!

The team trains professionals to upgrade their skills and beginners who are just starting out. They also connect top professionals with attractive work projects and opportunities.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

“We at Skillo are IT professionals with many years of experience who believe that IT staff development is one of the most important processes for the software industry in Bulgaria. This needs to be a continuous process in order for the Bulgarian HR market to be globally competitive. We created a software testing training centre because we know we can provide the best training in this area. Quality Assurance is a relatively new and rapidly growing area that IT companies are investing in, which in turn is leading to an increase in demand for software testing personnel.

We are IT professionals with a sense of responsibility, duty and years of experience in the industry and the IT industry in Bulgaria. As the education system in the country fails to meet all the needs of the business, we felt obliged to create this training center to help develop the sector and the economy by creating and developing staff. This is the main motive that drives us to successfully develop the software testing training center. During the period of our existence, we have helped many people to start a career in IT or to develop themselves. The good results of our trainings make us develop and improve every day, giving the best to our trainees.

We maintain a high quality of our trainings because we have highly qualified teachers with years of experience in the field and in-depth practical knowledge of the field. We have 3 training rooms in Sofia, which provide all the necessary conditions for the professional and enjoyable conduct of your desired training. We conduct the classes in small groups to create the feeling of teamwork and friendly atmosphere while you learn.”

Read BESCO’s interview with the SKILLO manager here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital skills for public administration

Digital technology

Software engineering

Digital skills

TOP REASONS TO STUDY JAVA IN 2023

By In education, For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, Software engineering, Web development, For all, NEWS
TOP REASONS TO STUDY JAVA IN 2023

27.04.2023 |

Java is one of the most used and sought after programming languages globally. If you have an interest in software engineering and want to learn how to program, the language will undoubtedly be useful to you. SoftUni’s Programming Basics with Java beginners course is coming soon and will help you take your first steps with ease, so don’t hesitate to sign up.

And if you’re still on the fence about whether this is the language for you, today’s article will talk about Java in more detail, and why it’s worth choosing as your first language.

Briefly about Java

Java is a high-level language designed for object-oriented programming that has proven to be one of the most accessible and easy to learn languages if you are a complete beginner. It’s a versatile language that will allow you to work on a wide range of projects, regardless of the platform they’re designed for. That’s because Java is based on the “Write Once, Run Anywhere” principle.

In order to ensure that this is the case and that programs written in Java can be run on different platforms, the source code is not compiled to machine code, but to so-called byte code. This byte code is executed by what is known as the JVM or Java Virtual Machine. This provides portability, scalability and, most importantly, flexibility for projects developed with Java.

Java is a typical back-end language. In other words, if you study it, you’ll focus on developing server-side logic – what happens behind the scenes when users interact with the so-called front-end. Knowing this, what opportunities do you think proficiency in the language creates?

What doors does the language open?

The portability and flexibility of projects created with Java make the language one of the most preferred by developers, and sought after by employers. If you open one of the major IT job search platforms in Bulgaria, at any given time, you will see that Java ranks among the top languages. At the time of writing, there are over 300 positions with the language.

In 2020, the Flyaps team created a great infographic demonstrating which industries and which companies rely heavily on language. I’m leaving you with a link to the full Java infographic, but one thing becomes clear at a glance. It’s the favorite language of big companies in serious industries, companies like Amazon, AT&T, and J.P. Morgan.

Read the reasons to learn it and additional information here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Software engineering

RAILS GIRLS SOFIA 15

By For the workforce, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, Web development, Mobile apps, For all, In education, NEWS
RAILS GIRLS SOFIA 15

27.04.2023 |

12-13 May 2023

Rails Girls Sofia for the fifteenth time!

Rails Girls is a free two-day workshop aimed at ladies with zero or minimal experience in programming and technology.

The main goal is to show that programming is a fun, interesting, exciting and very useful skill that can be used in many different ways. You will have the opportunity to create your first web application, in an enjoyable atmosphere and under the guidance of experienced instructors. More about the event ↓

The event requires (free) registration in advance.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

Web development

Mobile apps

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND PROGRAMMING FESTIVAL

By In education, Audience, Technology, Basic digital skills, For all, For children, NEWS
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND PROGRAMMING FESTIVAL

27.04.2023 |

Take part in the first edition of the Telerik School Academy digital technology and programming festival.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

  • An exhibition of 100+ digital projects developed by students who study at the academy schools
  • Inspiring stories from interesting personalities
  • Meeting our alumni and faculty from around the country
  • Games, prizes and other surprises

PROGRAMME:

  • 10:00 – 10:20 – Opening
  • 10:20 – 13:00 – Project Exhibition
  • 13:30 – 15:00 – Inspiring stories
  • 15:00 – 16:00 – Closing

The event is free of charge and pre-registration is required. Register here – https://bit.ly/3K2rLFw

The festival is organized by Telerik School Academy, with the support of Sofia Tech Park, America for Bulgaria Foundation, Lidl and aims to inspire and reward the efforts of all digital creators from their schools.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital skills for children

Digital technology

Digital skills

SOFTUNI’S AI SUMMIT 2023

By For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, AI & ML, NEWS
SOFTUNI'S AI SUMMIT 2023

27.04.2023 |

Watch SoftUni’s AI Summit 2023 conference online for free on April 29 and April 30, 2023 from 10:00am to 5:00pm with a diverse lineup of AI experts.

Programme – 29.04.2023.

  • 10:00 – 10:30 – Introduction, Yordan Darakchiev
  • 10:45 – 11:45 – Going Far with Open-Source Tools in NLP, Krum Arnaudov
  • 12:00 – 13:00 – ChatGPT and how to become lazier, Alexander Atanasov
  • 13:30 – 14:30 – Data is the most important hyperparameter, Lyuben Syarov
  • 14:45 – 15:45 Classification models for Bulgarian language (analysis of evaluations and attitudes in reviews), Atanas Atanasov
  • 16:00 – 17:00 – Unlocking Hidden Potentials: Object Affordances and How AI Detects Them, Denis Zahariev

Programme – 30.04.2023.

  • 10:00 – 10:30 – Introduction, Yordan Darakchiev
  • 10:45 – 11:45 – From data to product (through the magnifying glass of MLOps), Mihail Bakhchevanov
  • 12:00 – 13:00 – Transducers and natural language modelling, Ivan Stefanov
  • 13:30 – 14:30 – Super-resolution via neural networks, Viktor Belchev
  • 14:45 – 15:45 – Stable Diffusion: Painting the Picture with Text, Yordan Darakchiev
  • 16:00 – 17:00 – A Bird’s Eye View of Reinforcement Learning, Hristo Buyukliev

For more information and registration click here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

BESCO: IT’S TIME TO ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT OUTSIDE SOFIA

By Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, For all, AI & ML, For the workforce, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, Audience, Basic digital skills, Technology, Robotics, Computing, Software engineering, Telecommunications, Web development, Digital marketing, Mobile apps, Media literacy, Blockchain, 5G & WiFi, Big data, NEWS
BESCO: IT'S TIME TO ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT OUTSIDE SOFIA

26.04.2023 |

Svetozar Georgiev, Chairman of the Board of BESCO – Bulgarian Entrepreneurs Association, Dobromir Ivanov, Executive Director of BESCO, in “Business Start”

The Investment Promotion Act in Bulgaria is not adequate to what our neighbouring countries are doing. Neighbouring countries are doing better than us because the way they define the classes of investors and the way state aid is given – what the state actually supports to make deals happen – are fundamentally different. We now have draft laws in place that should change the situation. We propose amendments to the law to focus on medium- and high-tech companies that are outside Sofia and, as a consequence, to change the way in which the relevant classes of investors are defined. This was commented by Svetozar Georgiev, Chairman of the Board of BESCO – Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association, and Dobromir Ivanov, Executive Director of BESCO, in the TV show “Business Start” with host Hristo Nikolov.

Sofia is now considered a more developed region and especially when it comes to high-tech businesses, there is even cannibalism between companies in the capital and it is very important to develop the regions outside Sofia, the participants explain.

“In Sofia, the competition for staff is so great that at the moment of the arrival of a technology giant to extract more engineers to work for it, it is not clear whether this would help the ecosystem in the city at all…When a competition is too intense and we have a closed market, as in Sofia, we already become uncompetitive at the regional level because the cost of labor becomes too high.”

According to the interlocutors, it is very important to change the size of the budget with which we attract investors. At the moment, the budget of our Investment Agency is about BGN 9 million. By comparison, Serbia entered into a deal with 300 million euros a few weeks ago.

“Accordingly, we do not meet the basic requirements when an investor looks at the region to be able to be competitive with what other countries around us are offering.”

According to the interlocutors, urgent changes are needed in the education system and a key priority in the field is the creation of a standard for the quality of teachers’ work.

“Educational institutions, schools and universities need to be clear about what kind of product they produce in the end…At the moment the system is extremely formal, there are no quality criteria and we are lagging spectacularly behind Europe and the rest of the world.”

Commenting on the results of the parliamentary elections, the interlocutors stressed that the expectations of the business and the people are related to having a regular government that does its job. The state has been in a caretaker mode for two years, the caretaker government is not a body that can legitimise the important issues and the long-term commitments that need to be made and we need to get out of this mode.

Society is fragmented, but this is not just a Bulgarian phenomenon. Only – as in business, we cannot wait for all factors and conjuncture to line up perfectly to start doing work, it cannot be done, we have to work with what we have. Our plea to politicians is to stop trying for an ideal scenario as it will not happen. During this time, key aspects of Bulgaria’s way forward are actually questionable or to be postponed, or even neglected – like our membership in the euro area, in Schengen, the Recovery and Sustainability Plan is delayed too much, and to this we can add many institutions with expired mandates.

“We are a parliamentary republic, it has to be governed that way and the political parties that are in parliament – in whatever configuration they are – have to work”, the interlocutors point out.

The whole conversation can be seen in the video here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

POLICY IN THE BAR – HUMAN CLOUD

By For ICT professionals, AR & VR, Audience, Robotics, Technology, Software engineering, Computing, Web development, Telecommunications, Mobile apps, Digital marketing, Blockchain, Media literacy, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, NEWS
POLICY IN THE BAR - HUMAN CLOUD

26.04.2023 |

Policy in the Bar is a BESCO networking event that brings together people from the entrepreneurial ecosystem in an informal setting over a beer. These include a variety of business owners, investors, policy makers and journalists. The meetings are in a friendly atmosphere and are aimed at networking and discussing ideas that can improve Bulgaria’s economic model.

GigsRemote will also be at the event to share more human cloud services of the future. GigsRemote is an innovative platform connecting freelancers from Eastern Europe with businesses in need of high quality talent to deliver their projects. The company acts as an impresario for freelancers, finding the best projects according to their experience and desire for professional growth. GigsRemote enables companies to implement their dual IT project implementation strategy, leveraging a core of key personnel within the company and hiring specialized external specialists.

The model is optimized for all involved, presenting the company with a cost- and time-effective alternative to the traditional model of recruiting through staffing agencies or hiring employees.

Come and meet us so that together we can build the future of Bulgaria!

More about the event here.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Digital skills

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

THE SECRETS OF A STRONG CYBERSECURITY TEAM

By Audience, Technology, Cybersecurity, For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, NEWS
THE SECRETS OF A STRONG CYBERSECURITY TEAM

26.04.2023 |

With the rapid digitalisation of business, the importance of cyber security has increased dramatically for companies of all sizes and across all sectors. Its complexity and specific requirements make it imperative for organizations to build security teams in-house or obtain it as a service from managed security service providers (MSSPs).

A good cyber security team is not just a group of people but a complex mix of technology, processes and a range of people with different expertise. The human factor is paramount in the return on investment of cyber security, because cyber security is about people, not technology. Even the best technology will not work efficiently if it is not set up properly by an expert who knows what they are doing.

THE PLANNING

PLAN FIRST, HIRE LATER

You might think that a starting point for building a cyber security team would be to hire a technical system administrator to oversee security systems or a cyber security generalist who understands cyber security compliance and governance. However, the better approach is to define a cyber security strategy based on your corporate needs and objectives before you hire the team that can execute this strategy.

The planning can be done internally or with the support of external consultants but always keep in mind: The strategy should always come before the first hire takes place.

SELF-ASSESS

Do a self-assessment to determine your business goals related to technology, digital assets, known technology, and so forth.

PRIORITIZE

Start with your immediate needs, but keep in mind what your organization might plan in the future to make sure that your cyber security strategy doesn’t just fit the present but also the future.

DEFINE

Define a robust cyber security strategy with the required roles, responsibilities, expertise and service levels you expect from your cyber security team. This includes defining:

  • missing architectural requirements,
  • operational requirements,
  • non-operational skillsets,
  • industry compliance requirements.

Ensuring all of the above enables you to set up a better organizational structure and technical infrastructure that can scale as your business grows. It also creates a more cost-efficient and functional team that can evolve over time.

UNDERSTAND YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

With demand for cyber security experts at an all-time high, your first steps are crucial:

  1. Think strategically about your short- and long-term goals, vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
  2. Assess honestly how well your existing team operates.
  3. Evaluate your economic context

DEFINE YOUR SECURITY SERVICES

  • Identify the market demand for your services – explore current and future market trends, regulations (e.g., the introduction of GDPR in 2018 increased the demand for security compliance checks)
  • Think of what will distinguish you from your competitors on the market – it could be niche services, your industry competence, the way you offer your services, etc.
  • Focus on core cyber security skills
  • Establish a clear vision of how your services will look like
  • Describe your delivery outcomes and the added value to the customer
  • Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the balance between security, usability and functionality

Read the strategies for building a great security team and more useful information –  here

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Cybersecurity

CAREER SHOW TECH 2023

By Robotics, Software engineering, Audience, Web development, Technology, Mobile apps, Computing, Blockchain, Telecommunications, Big data, Digital marketing, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, AR & VR, NEWS
CAREER SHOW TECH 2023

26.04.2023 |

Are you ready to conquer the tech-universe? On 18 and 19 May, you can launch your career to new heights with Career Show Tech – the online event for IT professionals! Meet 100+ leading IT employers, hear fascinating talks on high tech and the latest IT trends!

If you’re looking for a new career field, this online event will give you professional networking and job opportunities in different areas of the tech industry such as:

  • Software Development
  • Cloud Engineering
  • Quality Assurance
  • DevOps & SysAdmin
  • AI & Machine Learning

What to expect?

  • Two days career expo
  • Completely online
  • 15-minute video meetings with top employers in IT
  • Inspiring speakers from YouTube, Binance, Brandwatch and more.
  • Program with exciting topics

Everything in one platform, one click away!

It’s free, it’s fun and it can change your life!

From the comfort of your couch or a nearby coffee shop, join the event, even if only for a short time!

  • To hear world leaders from the technology industry for free
  • To talk directly to companies, skipping all the formalities
  • To connect with employers who are often hard to reach
  • To keep an eye on your watch, even if you’re not actively job seeking

Registration and additional information here!

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Telecommunications

IoT

Big Data

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL IT PERSONALITIES IN BULGARIA

By Robotics, Audience, Software engineering, Technology, Web development, Computing, Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Blockchain, Digital marketing, Big data, 5G & WiFi, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, AR & VR, NEWS
TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITIES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BULGARIA

26.04.2023 |

“Top 100 Most Influential IT Personalities in Bulgaria” is Career Show’s annual index honoring individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the IT industry in Bulgaria and serve as examples of best practices and high professionalism!

Good achievements deserve recognition!

The index “Top 100 Most Influential IT Personalities in Bulgaria” was created in order to reward IT professionals for their dedicated work and the efforts they put into the development of the IT industry in Bulgaria!

The winners are representatives of the following groups👇👇👇

  • CEO of a technology company
  • IT startup founders
  • Team leaders
  • IT Innovators / Influencers
  • IT professionals
  • Speakers
  • Trainers

See the IT personalities who inspire and serve as examples of best practices and high professionalism in the field here.

Methodology

The public voting list includes all nominations submitted during the nomination period (20-31.03.2023) as well as those nominated during the late nomination period (03-18.04.2023).

Career Show are contacting nominees with details of their nomination and next steps.

Through the public vote, everyone has the opportunity to select up to 10 people from the list that they consider to be exemplary in the field of information technology in Bulgaria.

Public voting period: 03-18.04.2023

The top 100 index is based on the votes received.

In the event of a tie, the person with the most nominations takes precedence.

The results are published in alphabetical order after the close of public voting.

For more details click here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Big data

IoT

Telecommunications

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

DIGITAL SME LAUNCHES “PRESENT YOUR BUSINESS”

By Software engineering, Web development, Audience, Mobile apps, Technology, Blockchain, Computing, Big data, Telecommunications, Microelectronics, Cybersecurity, For all, IoT, For the workforce, AI & ML, For ICT professionals, Basic digital skills, Robotics, NEWS
DIGITAL SME LAUNCHES “PRESENT YOUR BUSINESS”

26.04.2023 |

A series of networking opportunities to boost Europe’s digital sovereignty 

  • “Present Your Business” highlights and showcases Europe-led innovation
  • The series of events offers a platform for digital enablers to team up and scale their businesses
  • The kick-off event will take place on 3rd of May 2023, online, featuring presentation of multiple technological solutions

The “Present Your Business” series is a platform designed to highlight the potential of European SMEs and start-ups as innovation’s drivers.

To unlock the potential of innovative companies, this series of events promotes the matching of digital solutions, fostering their competitiveness. The series will create synergies and develop digital solutions thereby nurturing an effective framework on how to adequately boost European digital sovereignty.

The initiative will be the space where innovators can present their digital solutions and partner up with fellow SMEs and start-ups to enable digital transformation of their business model. This event series will give the floor every month to five selected companies, displaying their businesses in ten minutes maximum each.

The European digital market is rapidly evolving, and SMEs are the de facto champions of innovation. Digital transformation of business is a priority of the EU´s Digital Decade. The Digital Decade objective for 2030 concerning technological uptake is for at least 75% of companies to use cloud, AI or Big Data.

Within this objective, the EU wants to ensure that more than 90% of SMEs have at least a basic level of digital intensity. With these goals in mind, “Present Your Business” is an excellent opportunity to showcase the potential of digital SMEs and start-ups and create a collaborative environment among them, unlocking opportunities to foster SMEs’ digital intensity and maximizing Europe´s innovation capacity.

“We are excited to launch the “Present Your Business” events’ series, which will bring together innovative SMEs from across Europe. By creating a platform where SMEs can collaborate, our ambition is to unlock the full potential of the digital solutions available in the European market. ”Present Your Business” will foster opportunities for SMEs and start-ups to partner up and maximise the benefits of the digital solutions available in the European market to drive Europe towards the twin transition” said DIGITAL SME’s Secretary-General Sebastiano Toffaletti.

The first session of “Present Your Business” will take place on 3 May 2023, from 14:30 to 15:30 CEST, following an online format.

Registration is now open for companies wishing to present their businesses, as well as for participants at this link

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software engineering

Big Data

Digital skills

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

WHICH TECH JOBS ARE MOST AT RISK FROM CHATGPT?

By Audience, Technology, Digital marketing, AI & ML, Software engineering, Web development, For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, NEWS
WHICH TECH JOBS ARE MOST AT RISK FROM CHATGPT?

26.04.2023 |

As if there weren’t enough fears about layoffs in the tech industry, suddenly ChatGPT is added to the list of things workers have to worry about. The artificial intelligence-based chatbot is permeating more and more of the workplace as technology evolves at a rapid pace, CNBC reports.

Since the beginning of this year, the tech industry has already cut 5% more jobs than it did in all of 2022, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The rate of layoffs is on pace to surpass the job losses of 2001, the worst year for the tech sector job market due to the dotcom crash.

As layoffs continue to increase, workers not only fear being laid off, they fear being replaced entirely. A recent Goldman Sachs report found that 300 million jobs worldwide are affected by AI and automation.

ChatGPT and AI should not cause fear among employees because these tools will help people and companies work more efficiently,” according to Sultan Saidov, co-founder and president of Beamery, a global human capital management software-as-a-service company that has its own GPT, or generative pre-training transformer, called TalentGPT.

“It is already estimated that 300 million jobs will be affected by AI and automation,” says Saidov. “The question is: does that mean these people will switch or lose their jobs? I think in many cases it will change rather than be lost.”

ChatGPT is a kind of GPT tool that uses learning models to generate human responses, and Saidov says GPT technology can help workers do more than just make calls. Especially in the tech industry, certain jobs will be affected more than others.

Creative artists and designers need to acquire AI skills

Saidov points to creatives in the tech industry, such as designers, video game makers, photographers, and those who create digital images, as those whose jobs are unlikely to be completely eradicated. This will help those roles create more and get their work done faster, he said.

If you look back at the industrial revolution, when automation suddenly came to agriculture, did that mean fewer people would be doing certain jobs in agriculture?” said Saidov. “Definitely, because you wouldn’t need as many people in the field, but it just means the same number of people going to different jobs.”

Just like similar trends in history, creative jobs will be in demand following the widespread incorporation of generative AI and other AI technologies in the workplace.

“With video game creators, if the number of games made globally doesn’t change from year to year, you’re probably going to need fewer game designers,” Saidov said. “But if you can create more as a company, then this technology will just increase the number of games you’ll be able to make.”

Software developers and engineers will be affected

It’s not fair to say that GPT will completely eliminate jobs like developers and engineers,” says Sameer Penakalapathy, CEO of Ceipal, an AI-powered talent acquisition platform.

But while those jobs will still exist, their tasks and responsibilities will likely be diminished by GPT and generative AI.

An important distinction needs to be made between GPT specifically and generative AI more broadly when it comes to the job market, according to Penakalapathy. A GPT is a mathematical or statistical model designed to study patterns and provide results. But other forms of generative AI can go further, reconstructing different outcomes based on patterns and learning and almost mirroring the human brain, he says.

As an example, he gives that if you look at software developers, engineers and testers, GPT can generate code in a matter of seconds, giving software users and customers exactly what they need without relaying needs, adaptations and adjustments to the development team. GPT can do the work of a coder or tester instantly, instead of the days or weeks it might take a human to generate the same thing, he says.

Generative AI can impact software engineers more broadly, and devops (development and operations) engineers in particular, Penakalapathy says – from developing code to deploying, conducting maintenance and making updates in software development. In this broader set of tasks, generative AI can mimic what an engineer would do through the development cycle.

While development and engineering roles are quickly adapting to these tools in the workplace, Penakalapathy says it will be impossible for the tools to completely replace humans. More likely, we’ll see a reduction in the number of developers and engineers needed to create a piece of software.

Whether it’s a piece of code you’re writing, whether you’re testing how users interact with your software, or whether you’re designing software and choosing certain colors from a color palette, you’re always going to need someone, a human, to help in the process,” Penakalapathy said.

Those working with knowledge can benefit from ChatGPT

Although GPT and AI will have a strong impact on more roles than others, the inclusion of these tools will affect every knowledge worker, commonly referred to as anyone who uses or processes information in their job, according to Michael Chui, a partner at McKinsey Global Institute.

These technologies make it possible to create first drafts very quickly, of all sorts of different things, whether it’s writing, generating computer code, creating images, video and music,” Chui said. “You can imagine that almost any knowledge professional could benefit from this technology, and certainly the technology provides speed with those kinds of capabilities.”

A recent study by OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, found that approximately 80% of the U.S. workforce could use at least 10% of their work tasks affected by the introduction of learning models into GPT technology, while approximately 19% of workers could see 50% of their tasks affected.

Chewie says that workers today can’t remember a time when they didn’t have tools like Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word, so somehow we can predict that workers in the future won’t be able to imagine a world of work without AI and GPT tools.

For further information click here.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

5G

WEBIT SUMMER EDITION – A FUTURE TO SHARE

By Software engineering, Blockchain, Audience, Big data, Technology, Microelectronics, Computing, For all, 5G & WiFi, In education, Cybersecurity, For the workforce, IoT, For ICT professionals, AI & ML, AR & VR, Robotics, NEWS
WEBIT SUMMER EDITION - A FUTURE TO SHARE

26.04.2023 |

Webit Impact Forum is on June 28 at the National Palace of Culture and focuses on the high-tech changes that are taking place in the world around us

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a reality and is beginning to transform many industries and professions. Some people worry that AI will replace their jobs, but it is more likely that AI will change the nature of work, creating new opportunities. But one of the most important questions is what will the consequences be for our society?

The opportunities that AI offers and how we can use these technologies to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges will be discussed at the Webit Impact Forum.

The latest trends and developments in areas such as:

  • the future of work
  • FinTech
  • digital media
  • the metaverse
  • e-commerce
  • healthcare and longevity
  • energy
  • blockchain
  • defence and cyber security

You’ll have the opportunity to hear some of the brightest minds in the industry present new ideas and opportunities, while providing tips for adapting to the rapidly changing world around us.

The Webit Impact Forum is for anyone looking to adapt to the new world of humans and machines co-existing. The event is open to anyone who wants to be at the forefront of innovation and learn how to use technology to better the world.

Alongside the main stage conference, Webit is hosting a special investor-only event, InvestX, which will focus on the CEE region in 2023.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the Webit Impact Forum on 28 June at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. Registration to purchase tickets is open on the Webit website.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Robotics

Blockchain

Bid data

GOOGLE REVEALED WHAT SUPERCOMPUTERS THEY ARE USING FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

By Audience, Technology, AI & ML, Software engineering, Big data, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, NEWS
GOOGLE REVEALED WHAT SUPERCOMPUTERS THEY ARE USING FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

26.04.2023 |

Google has released new details about the supercomputers it uses to train its artificial intelligence models. The tech company announced that the systems are both faster and more energy efficient than comparable systems from Nvidia Corp.

The company designs its own custom chip called the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). It uses these chips for more than 90% of the company’s work in training artificial intelligence – the process of feeding data through models – to make them useful in tasks such as answering queries with human text or generating images.

TPU is now in its fourth generation. On Tuesday, Google published a research paper describing how it connected more than 4,000 chips in a supercomputer using its own custom-designed optical switches to help connect individual machines.

Improving these connections has become a key point of competition between companies building AI supercomputers as the so-called big language models that power technologies such as Google’s Bard or OpenAI’s ChatGPT have grown in size, meaning they are too big to store on a single chip.

Instead, the models are split between thousands of chips, which then have to work together for weeks or more to train the model. Google’s PaLM – the largest publicly revealed language model to date – was trained by splitting it across two supercomputers with 4,000 chips over 50 days.

Google said its supercomputers make it easier to reconfigure the connections between the chips on the fly, helping to avoid performance-boosting tuning issues.

“Circuit switching makes it easier to route around faulty components,” wrote Google contributor Norm Jupy and Google Distinguished Engineer David Patterson in a blog post about the system. “This flexibility even allows us to change the topology of the supercomputer link to speed up the performance of the ML (machine learning) model.”

Although Google is only now releasing details of its supercomputer, it has been online at the company since 2020 in a data center in Oklahoma. Google said the startup Midjourney has used the system to train its model, which generates crisp images after being given a few words of text.

In the document, Google says that for systems of comparable size, its chips are up to 1.7 times faster and 1.9 times more power efficient than a system based on Nvidia’s A100 chip, which came to market around the same time as the fourth-generation TPU.

An Nvidia spokesman declined to comment.

Google said it wasn’t comparing its fourth-generation to Nvidia’s current flagship H100 chip because the H100 came to market after Google’s chip and is made with newer technology.

The tech company has hinted that it is working on a new TPU that will compete with Nvidia’s H100, but did not provide details, with Jupy telling Reuters that Google has a “robust line of future chips”.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Bid data

Software engineering

WHICH TECHNOLOGIES ARE THE FUTURE OF CYBERSECURITY

By Cybersecurity, AI & ML, Basic digital skills, Robotics, Software engineering, Blockchain, Big data, Microelectronics, Audience, For all, Technology, For ICT professionals, Computing, NEWS
WHICH TECHNOLOGIES ARE THE FUTURE OF CYBERSECURITY

25.04.2023 |

The struggle for supremacy between defenders and hackers involves the use of artificial intelligence, behavioural analysis and blockchain

Hackers and cyber defense experts are battling for supremacy using the latest technologies. Who will prevail depends on a deeper understanding of these innovations and their successful integration into cybersecurity. “”Capital”” has selected six technologies that are the future of cybersecurity.

Artificial intelligence and machine self-learning

Artificial intelligence is the trendiest buzz phrase of late and has huge applications in the cybersecurity sphere. In a sense, it also works somewhat like two-factor authentication. It works by confirming the user’s identity based on various parameters. AI is helpful if we add different layers of information and authentication to these parameters for the technology to analyze. Separately, AI is at the heart of building automated security systems, language processing, facial recognition and automatically stopping cyber attacks. At the same time, AI has been used by hackers to develop malware and automated breaches. AI is used by them to build fake images, profiles and videos that show things that never happened. Malicious actors can use machine self-learning for breakthroughs by providing incorrect data that confuses computer systems. Meanwhile, on the other side are cybersecurity professionals who use machine self-learning to examine information such as logins, transactions and communications in real time to identify potential threats.

Behavioural analysis

In the age of social sharing, analysing user behaviour online has been used to target internet ads to the right audience. But behavioral analysis is also increasingly applicable to the development of advanced cybersecurity technologies. Through this technology, certain patterns in system and network activities can be identified to prevent future threats. With the help of huge volumes of unfiltered data, professionals can use behavior-based tools, algorithms, and machine self-learning to determine what is normal behavior for everyday users and what is not. Such may be the increased transfer of data from a particular user device that signals a possible cybersecurity issue. Behavioral analytics has mostly been used in network activity, but its application in consumer devices is growing.

Built-in hardware authentication

Having a PIN and a password has long been insufficient to provide reliable protection for any device. Technologies such as embedded authenticators to confirm user identity are increasingly common. One of the most active in this area is Intel with its vPro chips, which are integrated into the hardware itself and use several authentication methods. This type of technology is particularly useful in the era of IoT devices, the number of which is steadily growing and so is the need for hardware authentication. According to a study by consultancy ABI Research, shipments of hardware authentication tools will reach 5.3 billion units by 2024.

Quantum computers

Although we’re still talking about them in the future tense, quantum computers can perform certain types of calculations far more efficiently than classical computers. For this reason, they pose a significant threat to current cryptographic security systems. Quantum computing has the potential to unlock secrets ranging from users’ personal finances to the defence strategy of entire countries. Thus, in time, hackers and states will be able to break current cryptographic protocols. For this reason, there is also a need for cybersecurity with quantum computers. The big players in the sector, such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM and Intel, are developing their own quantum computers, and their practical application is expected in at least a decade.

Blockchain cybersecurity

There is no doubt that blockchain can change the way we use the internet. By creating a decentralized system, the technology can provide a more secure and efficient way to manage digital information. It works based on recognition between the two parties to a transaction. By creating a record that cannot be altered and is fully encrypted, blockchain helps prevent fraud and malicious activity. Privacy issues can also be addressed in blockchain by anonymizing personal data and using permissions to prevent access.

Zero Trust model

As its name states (zero trust), this type of cybersecurity is based on the idea that the network is already compromised. Zero Trust says that any component of a computer or network system cannot be trusted, including the people who run it. Therefore, measures must be put in place to make systems and their components work properly, usually in a model with continuous checks and authentication. Which includes analysis of business-critical data and the flow of that information and automated monitoring.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Blockchain

Big data

Software engineering

HOW TO MODERNISE YOUR CYBER RECOVERY STRATEGY IN FIVE STEPS

By Technology, Cybersecurity, For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, Audience, NEWS
HOW TO MODERNISE YOUR CYBER RECOVERY STRATEGY IN FIVE STEPS

25.04.2023 |

Across industries and among organisations of all sizes, cyber attacks are multiplying. Cyber Security Ventures estimates that a cyber or ransomware malware attack occurs every 11 seconds. Attacks are almost continuous, and the associated economic costs are enormous. According to a report on the subject, cyberattacks are expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015.

As businesses become increasingly aware of the cybersecurity risks that threaten their critical operations, IT security has become a particularly important part of corporate digital strategy. However, many organizations lack confidence in their data protection solutions. Dell Technologies’ 2022 Global Data Protection Index reports that cyberattacks accounted for 48% of all breach attempts last year (up from 37% in 2021), ranking first among all other causes of data breaches.

The survey also reveals that 85% of organizations using multiple vendors for data protection see a benefit from reducing their number of vendors. Furthermore, it reveals that organizations using a single vendor for data protection incurred 34% less in costs to recover from cyberattacks or other cyber incidents than those using multiple vendors. To create a more cyber-resilient approach to data protection, companies can modernize and automate their recovery and business continuity strategies and leverage the latest intelligent tools to detect and protect against cyber threats.

Here are five components of a proven and modern cyber recovery strategy:

1. Automated data warehouses

Cyber resilience cannot be achieved without one key component – the data repository for recovery from cyber attacks. It offers multiple layers of protection, providing resilience against cyber attacks even from an insider threat. It creates an additional copy of critical data away from the attack surface by physically isolating it in one secure part of the data center and requiring separate security credentials and multi-factor authentication for access. Additional precautions include automated network partitioning and isolation and the removal of management interfaces that could be compromised. If a cyberattack occurs, you can quickly identify a clean copy of your data, restore your critical systems and get your business back up and running.

Data repositories are used to great effect among public and private sector organisations. These companies often use them to securely store updated copies of their most critical data and applications. If a ransomware or data destruction attack affects data and applications in core production environments, threat actors still cannot access the contents of the data warehouse. After the attack, as part of the incident response and recovery process, clean copies of data and applications stored in the data warehouse are used to restore the production environment.

2. Data isolation and management

Similarly, providing an isolated data center environment that is physically separated from corporate and backup networks and restricted to users other than those with appropriate access permissions represents another method of providing an impenetrable cyber recovery strategy. By isolating critical data, identifying suspicious activity, and expediting data recovery, enterprises can more easily achieve cyber resiliency with this approach.

3. Intelligent analysis and tools

In addition, machine learning and full content indexing with powerful analytics within repository safety represent effective threat detection tools. This also includes automated integrity checks to determine if data has been impacted by malware and tools to aid remediation if necessary.

4. Recovery and Remediation

If an incident has indeed occurred, remediation consists of workflows and tools that perform dynamic data recovery to bring business-critical systems back online quickly and with confidence. This includes a comprehensive data protection methodology, as well as performing damage assessments and computer forensics to provide the organization with an assured and most reliable path to restore business-critical systems.

5. Solution planning and design

Finally, expert guidance and services can help organizations determine which business-critical systems need protection and can create dependency maps for related applications and services, as well as the infrastructure needed to recover them. For example, Zero Trust is a cybersecurity model that changes the way organizations approach security from relying solely on perimeter protection to a proactive strategy that only allows pre-approved activities across ecosystems and data highways. It allows organizations to better align their cybersecurity strategies across the data center, cloud and perimeter. Such processes also generate remediation requirements and design alternatives while identifying the technologies to analyze, host and protect data along with a business case and deployment schedule.

Cyber resilience requires a layered approach to cybersecurity. In addition to advanced threat protection and security training for employees, a strong cyber recovery strategy can strengthen cyber resiliency by protecting backup systems from failure and enabling rapid recovery of business-critical systems, applications and operations after an attack. In short, Cyber Resiliency is a strategy that incorporates people, processes and technology into a holistic framework that protects an entire business, organization or entity. This strategy allows businesses to prepare for and recover quickly from disruptions caused by cyber attacks.

Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery solutions enable cyber resilience by protecting and isolating critical data from ransomware and other cyber threats. This Dell solution uses machine learning to identify suspicious activity and enable recovery of known good data and resume normal business operations quickly and with confidence.

PowerProtect Cyber Recovery protects data and provides recovery across on-premises and multiple cloud environments including AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform.

Further information here.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Cybersecurity

VENTURE CAPITAL IS (STILL) IN LOVE WITH THE FINTECH INDUSTRY

By Software engineering, Mobile apps, Big data, Audience, For all, Technology, For the workforce, Computing, For ICT professionals, Telecommunications, 5G & WiFi, IoT, AI & ML, Basic digital skills, NEWS
VENTURE CAPITAL IS (STILL) IN LOVE WITH THE FINTECH INDUSTRY

24.04.2023 |

Even with significantly lower valuations than the market, venture investors continue to focus on fintech.

You will be hard pressed to find a large venture capital fund, no matter in the world or in Bulgaria, that is not interested in financial technology companies. Interest is actually an understatement – over the past decade, many funds have put fintech companies at the very center of their strategies and poured in generous investments at generous valuations. This has led to a glut in the market in some respects – for example, the sheer number of portfolios that are likely to go through a consolidation phase or simply bankrupt many of them.

Venture capital interest in fintech companies is still there, but it is much more specialised. Investment is still generous because promising companies need significant financial resources to enter the industry. Valuations, on the other hand, have experienced a dramatic correction, in many cases down more than 50%. Now a correction is expected because the market has driven down the value of almost all companies by equal weight, without taking into account that some are simply better and more valuable than others.

All these features are important given the two different situations for venture capital funds around the world and in Bulgaria. While globally the most important news for funds is central banks raising interest rates – the end of so-called free money, in Bulgaria venture capital is mostly backed by public funds, and many have little time to invest their remaining money under mandate. This does not mean that Bulgarian funds are not interested in what is happening in international markets, but it does mean that they have less fear about whether there will be more money to invest after the end of their current mandates.

“Fintech in general is an industry with a big market because it was created by previous players like banks and insurers. The market is already there, it’s huge and what fintech companies are doing is disrupting or improving models”

Alexander Terziiski

The reason for the interest in the fintech industry

“Fintech is still one of the verticals that has the highest volume of investments and the most advanced readiness for underwriting,” says Alexander Terziyski, partner at venture capital fund NV3 (the third NEVEQ fund). According to him, there are several reasons for venture capital interest in fintech. The first and most important factor is that companies in the sector are automatically in a long-established market of enormous size.

“Fintech in general is an industry with a large market because it was created by previous players like banks and insurers. The market is already there, it’s huge and what fintech companies are doing is disrupting or improving models. They enter it much more easily because they are simply attacking existing markets. Nobody is creating something new, but they are providing an innovative solution to an existing problem,” says Terziiski.

This foundation leads to the logical corollary – fintech companies can grow extremely fast because they don’t have to create a market out of nothing. According to Terziiski, many companies grow even just because the overall market grows, i.e. the wave lifts all boats. “Given the point we are at, it makes a lot of sense to pour money into fintech companies,” he adds.

Another reason for funds’ interest in the fintech industry is that it is full of good founders and teams, many of whom come from the traditional financial sector and have seen up close what can be optimized. For funds, teams are a particularly important part of their decision whether to invest in a company, and when it comes to idea-level startups, the team is basically the entire company.

Read more here.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Artificial intelligence

HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COULD RESHAPE THE VIDEO GAME SECTOR

By Audience, Technology, AI & ML, AR & VR, For all, For the workforce, For ICT professionals, NEWS
HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COULD RESHAPE THE VIDEO GAME SECTOR

24.04.2023 |

Game creation is particularly labour-intensive – and particularly ripe for automation

Displaying brightly coloured objects around a screen at high speed is not what computer CPUs are designed for. And so arcade machine manufacturers invented the graphics processing unit (GPU), a set of circuits for processing video game visuals alongside the work done by the central processing unit. The GPU’s ability to speed up complex tasks has since found wider applications: video editing, cryptocurrency mining and, more recently, artificial intelligence (AI) learning.

AI is now changing the industry that helped create it. Any part of entertainment can be affected by generative AI, which learns the creation of text, images, audio or video to achieve new results from the same. But the games business will change the most, says venture capital (VC) firm Andreessen Horowitz. The interactivity of games demands that they be filled with labor-intensive designed content: think 30 square miles of landscape or 60 hours of music in the cowboy adventure Red Dead Redemption 2. Bringing in artificial intelligence assistants to produce it can dramatically shrink timelines and budgets.

The new AI tricks

Game developers showed off their latest AI tricks at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last month. Ubisoft, the French developer of blockbusters like Assassin’s Creed, unveiled Ghostwriter, a tool that generates dialogue for in-game characters. Roblox, an American platform for DIY games, released one that draws material from text commands, like “stained glass” and an auto-completion assistant for programmers. A few weeks earlier, Straight4 Studios previewed a new driving game, gtr Revival, with custom racing commentary provided by AI.

The AI represents “an explosion of possibilities,” according to Steve Collins, tech head at King, which made Candy Crush Saga, a hit mobile game. King, which last year bought artificial intelligence firm Peltarion, uses AI to measure the difficulty of levels. “It’s like having a million players at your disposal,” Collins says. This year, Electronic Arts, another big game maker, and Google were granted patents to use AI in game testing. Unity, a game development “engine,” plans a marketplace for developers to trade AI tools. Danny Lange, Unity’s head of AI, hopes this will “put developers of all resource levels on a more equal playing field”.

Easier game creation

Creating a game is now easier than it used to be – nearly 13 thousand titles were published on the Steam platform last year, almost double the number from 2017. Games may soon resemble the music and video industry, where most new content on Spotify or YouTube is user-generated. One game studio executive predicts that small businesses will be the quickest to figure out what new genres are made possible by AI. Last month, Raja Koduri, an Intel executive, left the chipmaker to found an AI gaming startup.

Don’t forget the big studios. If they manage to release half a dozen high-quality titles a year instead of two, it could weaken the blockbuster-focused nature of their business, says Josh Chapman of Konvoy, a venture capital firm focused on games. A world with more choices also favors those with big marketing budgets. And the giants may have better answers to the growing copyright questions surrounding AI. If generative models need to be trained on data that the developer has rights to, those with large back catalogs will be in a better position than startups. Trent Caniuga, an artist who has worked on games like Fortnite, said last month that several clients have updated their contracts to ban AI-generated art.

If lawyers don’t step in, unions might. The studios diplomatically refer to AI assistants as “co-pilots,” not human replacements. But workers aren’t taking any chances. The Writers Guild of America, whose members include game writers, said in March that “plagiarism is a feature of the AI process.” Hollywood is threatening strikes. Upset creators may also press pause in the games business.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Video Game Development

Virtual Reality

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN BULGARIAN AND AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ARE AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL

By For ICT professionals, AI & ML, AR & VR, Robotics, Software engineering, Audience, Web development, Technology, Mobile apps, Computing, Big data, Telecommunications, Microelectronics, 5G & WiFi, For all, Cybersecurity, For the workforce, IoT, NEWS
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN BULGARIAN AND AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ARE AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL

24.04.2023 |

As far as high-tech industries are concerned, the US and Bulgaria are not at opposite ends of the world, but are very close countries. We have a very fast pace of development of the software sector in Bulgaria, and our country has the image of a quality software destination. All of this, together with the perfect relations between the American Chamber of Commerce and the high-tech associations in Bulgaria, are very good prerequisites for even better cooperation.

This message was expressed by Dobroslav Dimitrov, Chairman of the Board of BASCOM and BRAIT, and Victor Bilyanski, member of the Board of BASCOM during the Explore U.S. Tech Webinar. It was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham Bulgaria) together with the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (EAPME) and in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies (BASCOM).

Referring to the experience of his company ScaleFocus, Victor Bilyanski noted some best practices for working in the US market. According to him, in order to succeed in the US, it is important to first solve a specific customer problem and build trust. “However, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe that can be applied to all types of businesses. Each business brings its own specifics. It is also important at what stage of development the company providing the product or service is itself. For start-ups, it is usually a little more difficult because it is not clear whether they can generate enough added value for their potential customers, whether they have references and whether they can be sustainable over time. For companies that are fully localised in Bulgaria it is even harder because they have to be much better than their competitors in the US, noted Victor Bilyanski.

However, the distance in processes is shortening significantly with the artificial intelligence boom we have seen recently. According to Dobroslav Dimitrov, the penetration of artificial intelligence at all levels in the business processes of companies enables an equal start in their development and strengthens the opportunities for partnership and quality exchange of experience.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

Cybersecurity

Software engineering

Web development

Mobile apps

Virtual Reality

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE -THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS UNVEILED

By For ICT professionals, Audience, Technology, AI & ML, For all, For the workforce, NEWS
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE -THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS UNVEILED

24.04.2023 |

With artificial intelligence, any IT company can increase its productivity by 2 to 5 times in the next year. A few days ago, the first event of BASCOM’s Business Tree series took place, which is part of a series of hands-on events where leaders from the technology sector come together to share about the issues and challenges they face.

Marina Shiderov, member of BASCOM’s Board of Directors, and Dobroslav Dimitrov, Chairman of BASCOM’s Board of Directors, CEO and co-founder of one of the largest gaming companies, talk in detail in “Our Day”.

“The initiative is BASCOM’s new practical format for a series of events where leaders from the technology sector meet and talk about all the challenges they face. The idea is for a different format that has real added value through content,” Marina Shiderov points out.

She adds that the topic of artificial intelligence is extremely hot because it gives a new perspective to the IT sector. It’s important for business leaders to have a vision to realign their companies.

“Artificial intelligence is not the topic right now, it is the only topic. Whatever epithets I use, I won’t exaggerate how serious the situation really is. Change will most rapidly come to the IT sector, and accordingly it must react most quickly. But otherwise it concerns all sectors and all professions,” says Dobroslav Dimitrov.

He adds that this technology is available to everyone. ChatGPT alone currently has over 100 million users worldwide. Millions of developers working with these tools are upgrading and if companies don’t keep up with this, they could become highly redundant.

Is it the end of developers’ time? This question is absolutely valid for all professions related to intellectual labor.

“It’s not artificial intelligence we have to worry about, it’s natural intelligence. Because some people who embrace these technologies and start using them will become 10 times more efficient than other people who don’t use them, and will take their jobs accordingly,” says Dobroslav Dimitrov.

Marina Siderov explained that all IT leaders now have a lot of power in their hands because this unlocks a very beautiful and new world.

At the centre of all technology is the human being, but it matters whether they want to be there. If people are going to ignore this change and live without it, they will become highly redundant. Those who use it will be many times better off than those who do not, summarises Dobroslav Dimitrov.

Running AI requires a huge responsibility and has a serious moral aspect. Everybody is now into the IT sector because it is a fundamental and critical sector for the economy.

Dobroslav Dimitrov commented that the super-profits tax is a tax on “super economic stupidity”. The basis of any business is to invest years and work even at a loss and at some point make a profit. To have a high value-added economy means not seizing that value when it appears. And an excess profits tax will hit high value-added industries. This is extremely dangerous for the future of Bulgaria.

“We hold enormous power in our hands right now, but it depends on how we use it. My colleagues and I in the IT sector have a big responsibility on how we are going to deal with this in the most ethical way possible and apply this power in creating good things,” Marina Shiderov added.

More details can be heard in the audio file here.

Details

Website

www.digitalalliance.bg 

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Artificial Intelligence

INNOVATION ACADEMY 2023

By Mobile apps, Telecommunications, Microelectronics, 5G & WiFi, In education, Cybersecurity, IoT, AI & ML, AR & VR, Basic digital skills, Robotics, Audience, Software engineering, Technology, Web development, Computing, NEWS
INNOVATION ACADEMY 2023

19.04.2023 |

For the tenth year in a row, Innovation Starter’s “Innovation Academy” will be held on June 2nd and 3rd in Sofia Tech Park. The project is dedicated to the development of entrepreneurial skills of students and the financing of their first business ideas. The event will have the character of a hackathon, during which students will present their ideas to an expert jury including investors, lecturers and innovators from different fields.

One of the projects of the participants will receive funding in the amount of 20 thousand BGN, and the winner will receive other prizes, including those with an educational focus. The first three teams will have the opportunity to visit the European institutions in Brussels. An additional 20 thousand BGN from the prize fund will be distributed to other participants at the discretion of the jury.

Anyone wishing to participate in the hackathon must apply by submitting a registration form by the end of May with their team name. Teams eligible to apply must consist of 2 to 5 people, and each participant must be a student.

If approved to participate, the teams will be assigned mentors who will not only advise the participants, but also determine the twenty teams that will reach the finals. In practice, if the mentor considers that the team’s idea is not clear enough or is impractical, the team may not proceed to the third and final phase. At the final stage, a panel of ten academics and ten business experts will determine the winners and the ranking of the competition.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills in education

Digital technology

Digital skills

THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN 2023

By Media literacy, Blockchain, 5G & WiFi, Big data, Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, For all, AI & ML, For the workforce, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, Basic digital skills, Technology, Robotics, Computing, Software engineering, Telecommunications, Web development, Digital marketing, Mobile apps, NEWS
THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN 2023

05.01.2023 |

 The new year of 2023 has already arrived and we all expect new and better opportunities for personal development and career growth to open up before us. While we have sent a turbulent year filled with challenges, fears of crises and recession, in 2023 we look ahead and strongly hope for greater stability and predictability both economically and in the job market.

To remain competitive in 2023, as in every year before, we need to not only maintain our soft and hard skills, but also upgrade with new knowledge in different areas.

In connection with the new expectations of employers in the rapidly evolving business environment, we share part of an article on the website Karieri.bg, as it details everything we will need for a successful career in 2023.

According to Karieri.bg’s analysis, a balance of knowledge related to various technological platforms, artificial intelligence, software and good digital literacy will be needed for a rapid development. General digital literacy is listed as a top priority for recruiters. It’s everywhere and everyone has some knowledge of it. These days, most professions use a lot of tech tools and employers want to know that their employees will be able to handle them. Digital literacy is defined as a soft skill as it is less related to one specific platform and more to the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies, writes Dilyana Krasimirova in the analysis.

For employers, it is important that employees and job applicants have four key qualities to demonstrate their digital skills:

  • knowledge of existing and most used technologies or platforms;
  • the ability to communicate clearly in an online environment;
  • the ability to present ideas online;
  • managing teams using technology tools.

We can define digital literacy as a person’s ability to use IT and digital technology to find, evaluate, create and communicate information, according to the Karieri.bg article. Most employers consider a candidate to have these qualities if they can conduct thorough online research, which they can then analyze and evaluate, be able to create a range of different digital documents and use digital communication systems effectively.

The full text of the article can be found here.

Details

Target audience

Digital skills for all

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

Digital technology

Digital skills

IT HIRING SLOWING DOWN?

By Cybersecurity, Microelectronics, IoT, For all, AI & ML, For the workforce, AR & VR, For ICT professionals, Audience, Basic digital skills, Technology, Robotics, Computing, Software engineering, Telecommunications, Web development, Digital marketing, Mobile apps, Media literacy, Blockchain, 5G & WiFi, Big data, NEWS
IT Hiring Slowing down?

10.03.2023 |

 After years of global economic growth led by the technology sector, the first signs of a slowdown in the rise of IT companies appeared in 2022. Post-COVID syndromes related to digitalization of businesses and work from home created new opportunities for technology corporations, leading to a significant increase in demand for specialists. Now that economic growth has slowed significantly and inflation has not yet been tamed, the management of most IT companies are cautious about cost management, and this approach extends to the hiring of new personnel, as seen from the new and higher requirements for employees.

A number of international companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, have cut a significant portion of their staff at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 due to the changed economic and business environment. After the COVID measures were lifted, many employers approached their home office policies more strictly and asked their employees to return to the office. This led to an inevitable decline in demand for some software solutions and services offered by technology giants. Additionally, it is important to note that inflationary levels have firmly tied the pockets of ordinary consumers, further contributing to the decline in IT sector revenues. These factors have led to the need to reduce costs in corporations, with the realization that there is no longer a need for all of the employees hired during the rapid growth of recent years.

Against the backdrop of the global threat of economic downturn and subsequent layoffs in the tech sector in Bulgaria, HR experts have not observed unusual layoffs. However, hiring in the technology sphere is visibly changing, with various studies showing that new jobs have decreased at double-digit rates in recent months. The data indicates that the hiring decline is mainly for lower-level positions requiring less work experience. It is also noted that more companies are looking to hire people on a project basis, without wanting to commit to permanent employment contracts, driven by the desire to limit their expenses.

According to Nikolay Nikolov from the Bulgarian Association for People Management and the Bulgarian Confederation of Employers, who is also a partner at “Horizons Bulgaria”, by spring it will be clear what the effect will be for the country – whether the labor market in the IT sector here will follow that in the USA and Western Europe or, on the contrary, Western companies will prefer to rely on even lower costs in Bulgaria. We cannot ignore the fact that salaries in Bulgaria are still below the levels in Western Europe and the USA, which could be interpreted as good news for the labor market here. Expectations are also positive from Nadezhda Vasileva, Managing Director of “Adecco Bulgaria”, as reported by Capital newsletter. According to her, there is always a delay in hiring at the beginning of the year, but with its lower costs, Bulgaria remains attractive and is more likely to attract foreign businesses than to lose them. Whatever the mid-term forecast for the development of the IT sector and hiring new employees in our country may be, one thing is certain – to continue our sustainable development in technology companies, we need to constantly invest in knowledge and quickly retrain to keep up with the dynamic changes in the technological world.

Details

Website

Target audience

Digital skills for the workforce

Digital skills for ICT professionals

 

Digital technology

Events

InfoSec SEE 2023 CYBERSECURITY CONFERENCE

By EVENTS
InfoSec SEE 2023 CYBERSECURITY CONFERENCE

20.04.2023 |

The largest and most emblematic cybersecurity conference in the Balkans, InfoSec SEE, will be held for the 15th consecutive time in Bulgaria. The organizers from COMPUTER 2000 Bulgaria have prepared a comprehensive and diverse two-day program.