GATE had the honour of welcoming Carlo Borghini, NATO Assistant Secretary-General for Executive Management, during his official visit to Bulgaria, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. As a NATO DIANA Test Centre for Big Data and AI, GATE was a key part of his itinerary, reinforcing the Institute`s role in supporting NATO’s technological innovation and digital transformation.
During his visit, Mr Borghini led an engaging discussion on the pivotal role of research and innovation in NATO’s future development. He highlighted how NATO serves as a bridge between Allied nations to develop and integrate cutting-edge technologies in a consistent, responsible and secure manner. He also underscored the increasing importance of partnerships with institutions like GATE, private sector companies, and academic organizations. The Assistant Secretary General stressed that NATO’s ability to leverage emerging technologies such as AI and Big Data, depends on close collaboration with research hubs such as GATE.
A key highlight of the visit was Mr. Borghini’s presentation on career opportunities within NATO. He outlined the diverse range of roles available within the Alliance and the 8,200 civilian positions – opportunities for professionals in technology, policy, and international security. He emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce capable of understanding and applying advanced technologies to NATO’s evolving mission.
The visit included a tour of GATE’s innovation labs, where the attendees met with some of the researchers, working at the Institute. The Intelligent Government Team showcased advancements in tackling disinformation and enhancing information resilience through AI-driven analysis tools that enhance policy-making and governance. The Digital Health Team presented their latest work on AI applications in healthcare, focusing on real-time patient monitoring and medical data analytics.
Both teams demonstrated how AI and Big Data can enhance decision-making processes and improve public services.