site.btaEducation Minister: We Already Live in AI Era

Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev Wednesday said Bulgaria is already living in the era of artificial intelligence and standing on the threshold of deeper and large-scale digital transformations that will shape the world. The development of AI will generate the highest added value and will be a key factor for the country's productivity and socio-economic development, he said at an official presentation of the new class of EXPLORER fellows of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia.

The presentation, held at the Council of Ministers, was attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Sofia University Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev, the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Prof. Maya Stoyanova, INSAIT founder and scientific director Prof. Martin Vechev, INSAIT Executive Director Borislav Petrov, researchers and faculty.

The programme was created jointly with the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics so as to retain in Bulgaria outstanding talent in informatics and mathematics. The fellows receive a monthly fellowship of BGN 2,000, which enables them to focus on their studies at the Faculty and to develop skills through innovative research projects at INSAIT.

"What can we do if we want better prosperity in this era over the coming decades? We need several things. First, we need institutes like INSAIT. We are fortunate to have such an institute, we are lucky that Prof. Martin Vechev decided to establish it and that he did it in the best way. The Bulgarian government supports INSAIT. It is a strategic asset for us, it is included in the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, and we will continue to support it. We must also thank the businesses that support this programme," Valchev said.

He added that, since Bulgaria needs children who study mathematics in depth and more opportunities to retain its top talents, the Education and Science Ministry is launching two new programmes. The first, Future for Talents, will provide funding for teachers who train Bulgaria's Olympiad students and currently run mathematics, informatics and natural sciences schools, with the aim of preparing the next generation of educators. The programme will cover the financing of national and regional schools in these three areas of education.

The second programme, I Choose to Study in Bulgaria, is aimed at laureates of international Olympiads and competitions, as well as straight-A students. It will provide them with scholarships and free education in Bulgaria.

Valchev praised the fellows for choosing Bulgaria, and their parents for supporting the fellows' decision to study in this country. "I am confident that if we support INSAIT, Sofia University, the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and all mathematics high schools more, we will be more competitive in the era of artificial intelligence," the Education  Minister said.