Prof. Ilieva presented GATE and its role in the development of the artificial intelligence ecosystem in Bulgaria and the region. She highlighted the Institute’s efforts to attract Bulgarian scientists, graduated or working abroad, providing them not only with excellent infrastructure but also with opportunities to work on real challenges and see the societal impact of their work. As a positive experience of GATE in the training and development of young researchers, Prof. Ilieva pointed out the internship program of the Institute, as well as its plans to establish an industry-funded PhD scheme. The other participants in the panel were representatives of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The panellists discussed also issues related to brain drain, funding opportunities for research, co-operation in the region and others.

Romanian Artificial Intelligence Days are an annual event aimed at strengthening the country’s artificial intelligence community and increasing its impact in the international artificial intelligence ecosystem by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and politicians from home and abroad.