11.02.2025
A total of EUR 200 billion will be available for the development of Artificial Intelligence in Europe and Bulgaria should seize this opportunity maximally. This was stated by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov in Paris where he attended the AI Action Summit. The funds were announced by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; they will be raised by public-private partnerships and can be absorbed on a project basis. Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov underscored Bulgarian achievements, viz. the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology – INSAIT, which is the first of this kind in Eastern Europe. The Prime Minister was accompanied in Paris by Prof. Martin Vechev, Scientific Director of the world-class institute, specifically to familiarize the widest possible range of potential partners with the INSAIT’s reliable potential. “Also, it was important that we contribute to the development of Artificial Intelligence with the projects that we launch at our bilateral meetings,” the Prime Minister said further.
“Bulgaria can become one of the leaders in Europe in the AI sector,” Prof. Martin Vechev said. He noted that the INSAIT and other Bulgarian organizations have submitted a project related to the European Commission’s AI Factories Initiative. The AI factories will significantly increase the computing power available for AI development in Europe. They will be interconnected and easy to reach by European start-ups, industries and researchers in this field. Prof. Vechev explained that owing to the INSAIT, Bulgaria has a huge advantage over a number of other countries, as the Institute and its scientific work are at world-class level.
Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said firmly that in the context of AI development, the large-scale discussion is not about whether we are afraid of the AI or see opportunities to that effect. “It is now about increasing competitiveness,” the Prime Minister emphasized. As he said, it is not a coincidence that apart from the EU countries’ leaders, today’s forum in Paris is attended by senior officials from the USA, China, and that India is the co-chair of the event. All countries where AI development becomes an increasing need participate.
Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov devoted special attention to the issue of regulations that are important for safe and principles-based Artificial Intelligence. Energy issues are likewise related to AI development, as the continually increasing computing power requires increased power supply and consequently greater energy connectivity. “These are, in addition, issues related to targeted investment as the competition that is arising between the European Union, between the United States and China involves increasing investment in the AI. We believe that we occupy a deserved place that has been proven by the INSAIT projects,” Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov also stated.
