The Deputy Prime Minister Donchev: Courage and innovation are the key to the economic progress of Bulgaria and Europe

At the opening panel of the high-level "Innovations as the Cornerstone of the Competitiveness of the EU and CEE" within the Green Transition forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev expressed the need for courage and impetus for development to achieve the desired economic progression in Bulgaria and Europe. According to Donchev, fear is not a refuge, and only with the courage to leave our comfort zone can we move towards the progress we want.

Regarding artificial intelligence, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that our main competitors - the USA and China - are investing all the efforts and finances they have to develop increasingly new and more sophisticated models. Donchev stated that regulation is also important, but we need to be faster and more adequate, as artificial intelligence is one of the factors that will generate the competitiveness of the economies that use it. He emphasized the need for retraining of personnel who will be affected by the use of AI to avoid disruptions in the labor market.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the key role of attracting private funds, whose capacity and financial package for the development of unique startups are enormous. On the topic of the defense industry and green policies, Donchev emphasized the need for balance and a clear direction for action for representatives of the two industries.