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 the field of Artificial Intelligence, as well as financial experts, investors, experts in patent law and intellectual property, PR experts and journalists, lawyers, specialists in ethics, 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 & Interconnectivity - Smart Cities and more.

One of the objectives of the cluster 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 a collaboration with Sofia Tech Park (Clubs – Groworking). The focus of the regular monthly meetings will be on developing and strengthening systems thinking, problem-solving, analysis, design, research, teamwork and readiness for lifelong learning in areas of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep-Learning.

A collaboration of different AI ecosystems bears many great advantages, the exchange of expert knowledge and the chance to brainstorm new, unique ideas are just two examples. Connecting a broader network together is also a step towards the goal to make AI available, approachable and understandable for all. In order to achieve this, Europe is in need of 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 a number of institutions and organizations, including, 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 Health & Life Sciences Cluster, and United Drone Association in order 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), together 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, and a number of 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 LIBRe Foundation, United Drone Society Association, Biotechnology and Health Cluster Association and Emerging Technology Integration Cluster Association

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 a 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 are participate also Serbia, Sweden, UK and stakeholders from Japan.

We believe that 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.

AI Alliance Bulgaria/Germany

AI Bulgaria and the KI Bundesverband have sought an alliance to drive developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The associations aim to explore the potential for bilateral cooperation in various fields of AI and aim to find solutions for international issues that are of common concern on a European Scale. By teaming up, the opportunities of AI in business and research can be fully ensured, while the challenges can be dealt with collectively.

The project concerns the necessity of direct cooperation between the Bulgarian and German AI-ecosystem consisting of startups, SMEs, VCs and research. In a Data-Driven ecosystem, it is of uttermost importance that cooperation is made possible on every level.