site.btaEducation Minister to Unveil Google Forum in Sofia

Caretaker Minister of Education and Science Galin Tsokov will take part in the opening of a large-scale forum of Google in Sofia on Thursday morning, his ministry said in a press release. To participate in the forum is Google DeepMind Research Vice President Slav Petrov as well as world experts, business leaders, and innovators, who will discuss the effective use of AI-based technologies in education, the public sector, and business.

At the forum, the tech giant is expected to announce a large-scale donation for research in Bulgaria as part of the company's strategic partnership with the country's Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) with the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia.

This is the first such event of Google in Bulgaria dedicated to the latest trends in cloud technologies.

Back in January, Minister Tsokov met with Google's regional managers for Europe, Africa and the Middle East in London within BETT 2024, the world's largest exhibition in the field of education. They agreed on the launch of a pilot project between the Ministry of Education and Science and Google in more than 200 Bulgarian schools. These educational institutions will be able to use the tech giant's latest tools in education, including those based on artificial intelligence. It was agreed that the process could start as early as April, and schools will be selected based on activity.

During the meeting the functionalities of some of the tools were presented. Google explained that since 2015 they have been using artificial intelligence functionalities that users often do not even suspect. Now, however, new solutions are being developed aimed at facilitating and supporting the daily work of teachers. Analysis shows that the tools they have provided schools with so far save teachers an average of ten hours a week, or more than one working day. With the features that these 200 Bulgarian schools will have access to, the time saved will be even greater.