200 billion euros will be available for the development of artificial intelligence in Europe and Bulgaria must make the most of this opportunity. This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Paris, where he took part in the Artificial Intelligence Summit.
The funds were announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and they will be raised through public-private partnerships and can be used on a project basis. Prime Minister Zhelyazkov emphasized the achievements of the Bulgarian side through the Institute of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technologies – INSAIT, which is the first of its kind in Eastern Europe.
Prime Minister Zhelyazkov was accompanied in Paris by the scientific director of the world-class institute, Prof. Martin Vechev, precisely in order to familiarize the widest possible range of potential partners with the serious potential of INSAIT. “It was also important to make our contribution to the development of artificial intelligence with the projects that we launch in our bilateral meetings“, the Prime Minister also noted.
“Bulgaria can become one of the leaders in Europe in the field of artificial intelligence“, pointed out Prof. Martin Vechev. He noted that INSAT and other Bulgarian organizations have submitted a project in connection with the European Commission's initiative for “AI factories“. Artificial intelligence factories will significantly increase the computing power available for the development of artificial intelligence in Europe. They will be interconnected and accessible to European start-ups, industry and researchers in the field. Prof. Vechev explained that thanks to INSAIT, Bulgaria has a huge advantage over a number of other countries, as the institute and its research are at a world-class level.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov was categorical that in the context of the development of artificial intelligence, the large-scale conversation is not about whether we are afraid or see opportunities on the topic. “It is now about increasing competitiveness“, the Prime Minister emphasized. According to him, it is no coincidence that today's forum in Paris is attended not only by the leaders of the EU countries, but also by high-ranking representatives from the USA, China, and the co-chair of the event is India. All countries in which the development of artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a necessity are participating.
Prime Minister Zhelyazkov also specifically drew attention to the topic of regulations, which are important for artificial intelligence to be safe and principled. Energy issues are also related to the development of artificial intelligence, as the ever-increasing computing power requires more energy, which also means greater energy connectivity.
“These are also issues related to targeted investments, because the competition that is emerging between the European Union, between the USA and China, means more and more investments in artificial intelligence. We believe that we have our place and this place has been proven by the INSAIT projects“, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov also stated.