As the first and only institute in Bulgaria to achieve this recognition, GATE is now included in an elite club of only 31 i-Space Label centers across Europe, underscoring the commitment to driving innovation in big data and artificial intelligence (AI) while solidifying the institute’s role as a key player in the European data ecosystem. The Silver i-Space Label not only validates the efforts in creating a collaborative environment for innovation but also emphasizes the role in nurturing young talent and fostering projects that have a societal impact.

A high-level panel discussion titled “Europe for Global Leadership in AI and Data – A Policy and Research Perspective” was participated in by the director of GATE, Prof. Sylvia Ilieva. During her address, GATE’s latest initiatives were highlighted, including the development of a regulatory sandbox that facilitates collaboration between regulators and developers. This sandbox is viewed as a crucial step towards shaping effective AI regulations and ensuring ethical practices in the deployment of AI technologies.

Additionally, an insightful presentation on the implementation of the AI Act was delivered by Ivo Emanuilov, Researcher in AI Law, Ethics & Regulation. Valuable perspectives on the regulatory landscape for AI in Europe were provided through his contributions during the session on “Data, AI, and Interoperability: Shaping the Regulatory Sandbox Ecosystem for Innovation.”

An engaging session on Generative AI for Data and Knowledge Engineering was moderated by Prof. Dessislava Petrova-Antonova, Research Lead at GATE, with support from notable projects such as enRichMyData, Dynabic-eu, HUMAINE, and INTEND. The complexities and challenges associated with generative AI were the focus of this session, with key issues like transparency and fairness in AI deployment discussed.

The recognition from BDVA is seen as a foundation for future collaborations and impactful projects that will contribute to sustainable development in Bulgaria and beyond.