Drafted by the Bulgarian Party, a member of the Democratic Bulgarian Union, and the Continuation Change – A bill supported by the Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) parliamentary group provides target funding for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The bill on the use and development of artificial intelligence in Bulgaria was announced at the Perot Club in Sofia on Tuesday in front of representatives from the media and non-government sector.
Yes, Bulgaria's co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov said the bill will be introduced to Parliament early next week. Bozanov, one of the authors of the bill, argued that in this age of dynamic transformation, it is important that Bulgaria have an appropriate regulatory framework for how these technologies are used for the benefit of society. He said one of the main goals is to make the economy more competitive, with the state having to support all sectors.
Bulgaria attracts more investment in this powerful sector, trains employees to work with artificial intelligence, leveraging technology to increase management efficiency, and “moving to a much more automated mode” is one of the bill's tasks.
The bill also focuses on the creation of national coordinators and agencies for the ethical use of AI. The national coordinator will lead the development of the national strategy and will join the National Tripartite Cooperation Council and the International Group of Experts, Bozanov explained. “With this bill, we are not proposing restrictions on businesses, but we are creating a simplified interpretation of the more controversial interpretation of EU law, making Bulgaria a more attractive place for investment in this type of technology,” Bozanov said.
Targeted funding in the form of vouchers is planned under the Small Business Act to encourage the use of AI. Training in the use of AI may also be provided through programs implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the implementation of European Projects, and information campaigns. “We are not only consumers of these technologies, but we also have to produce them, and we have to improve the conditions that attract scientists,” Bozanov said.
