AI CLUSTER BULGARIA

AI Cluster Bulgaria (www.aicluster.bg ), is a professional non-governmental organization committed to building a sustainable ecosystem in the Artificial Intelligence sector. The Cluster is founded by specialists with years of experience in Artificial Intelligence, as well as financial experts, investors, patents law and intellectual property, PR experts and journalists, lawyers, specialists in ethics, and experts working on national and European projects.

The Cluster's technology profile includes expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data and Data Science and their applications in the areas of Computer Vision, NLP, IoT, AR, VR, Client Modeling, Green AI, Cloud Computing and Networking and interconnectivity - Smart Cities and more.

One of the cluster's objectives is to equip the experts, students and enthusiasts with the ability and skills to analyze, design and develop computer systems and their applications. Therefore, AI Club was founded at the beginning of 2020 in collaboration with Sofia Tech Park (Clubs – Groworking).  The monthly meetings will focus on developing and strengthening systems thinking, problem-solving, analysis, design, research, teamwork and readiness for lifelong learning in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.

A collaboration of different AI ecosystems bears many significant advantages. Two examples are the exchange of expert knowledge and the chance to brainstorm new, unique ideas. Connecting a broader network together is also a step towards making AI available, approachable and understandable for all. To achieve this, Europe requires an ambitious and thorough strategy involving both business and public administration so the ideas and impulses can evolve into pragmatic socio-economic opportunities.

The cluster successfully partners with many institutions and organizations, including the Ministry of EconomicI, BSMEPA, Sofia Municipality, BESCO (Bulgarian Startup Association), Bulgarian Investment Agency, GATE, Medical University-Plovdiv, Trakia University in Stara Zagora, EEN and others. The AI Cluster has built successful collaborations with the Health & Life Sciences Cluster and the United Drone Association to stimulate and create high-value cross-industry projects.

The cluster is a member of the Advisory Board of BRAIT (Bulgarian Employers' Association for Innovation and Technology), with Automotive Cluster, Mechatronics Cluster, BAIT, BASCOM, ICT Cluster and others. AI Cluster participates in the organization of the Pitch2Pitch series of entrepreneurship events in partnership with Premium Coworking Spaces, Impetus Capital, Innovation Capital, some venture funds, business angel organizations and investment programs.

AI Cluster Bulgaria cooperates with related networks and clusters in Europe and abroad, contributing to the experience and access to the AI sector.

The Cluster is the founder of the Bulgarian AI Ecosystem, together with the Libre Foundation, United Drone Society Association, Biotechnology and Health Cluster Association and Emerging Technology Integration Cluster Association.

Cluster Services

• Project development - identification of opportunities and preparation of proposals.

• Development of knowledge and skills (Skills and education) - courses, workshops, offering technological infrastructure for educational purposes

• Access to finance - financial engineering, access to finance, investment and business plans

• Support of units such as Incubators and Accelerators (Incubator/accelerator support) - access to markets, business development, research of consumer attitudes, creation of associations, location selection

• Testing and validation - demonstrations, certifications, product quality

• Provision of technical infrastructure - equipment rental, economical production, supply of technological infrastructure

• Contract research - development and validation of technological concepts

• Strategic R&D - development of solutions, scientific activities

• Ecosystem learning - workshops and seminars for sharing knowledge and experience

• Strategic Development - a study of market opportunities

• Community building - building ecosystems, disseminating knowledge, providing mediation services

• Assessment of digital maturity.

• Providing information on innovations in the field of digital technologies.

• Support for the protection of intellectual property, including awareness-raising

• Measures to promote science among young people, mentoring students and providing unique services for young researchers.

European AI Forum Home - European AI Forum (european-ai-forum.com)

The European AI Forum is an initiative launched in June 2020 on the final day of the Croatian Presidency over the Council of the European Union. Initially planned as a conference that takes place towards the completion of each Council Presidency, the European AI Forum has turned into a network of associations that want to make sure startups and innovators in the Member States have a voice when it comes to building an AI regulatory framework.  

Founded by  CroAI, Hub France IA and KI Bundesverband, our Community has grown to include AI4SI, AI Austria, AI Cluster Bulgaria, NL AI Coalitie, AI Poland and Artificial Intelligence Association of Lithuania.

In our previous forums, we had the pleasure to welcome Mrs. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations, Mr. Cedric O, the French State Secretary for the Digital Economy, Mrs. Dorothee Bär, the German State Secretary for Digitalisation, Mrs. Nicola Beer vice president of the European Parliament, Mrs. Karina Angelieva Deputy Minister

of Education & Science in Bulgaria, Mr. Kilian Gross Head of AI Policy Development & Coordination Unit European Commission, a Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, and Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Karlo Ressler, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence, and Mark Boris Andrijanič, Slovenian's Minister for Digital Transformation, Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio - the European Association for Bioindustries, Jasen Tanev from DigitalNationalAllianceBG and many more.

Borderless AI Initiative

The AI Cluster Bulgaria in collaboration with AI Austria started an initiative for Borderless AI. Both organizations share the belief that Europe has the potential to be a global leader in the innovation of data, which is the basis of future sustainable economic growth and social well-being. So far in the initiative, we also have Serbia, Sweden, the UK and stakeholders from Japan.

Attracting and connecting all AI Clusters across the globe will be a perfect opportunity to exchange best practices and know-how, increase the level of innovations and develop paper recommendations for future policies.