site.btaBill Backed by CC-DB Introduces Targeted Funding for AI Use

A bill drafted by the Yes, Bulgaria party, a member of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition, and supported by the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) parliamentary group provides for targeted funding for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The bill on the use and development of artificial intelligence in Bulgaria was presented at Sofia's Peroto Club in the presence of the media and representatives of the non-governmental sector on Tuesday.

Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov said the bill will be submitted to the National Assembly at the beginning of next week. Bozhanov, who is among the bill's authors, argued that it is important that in times of such dynamic transformation, Bulgaria has the appropriate regulatory framework for how these technologies will be used for the benefit of society and at the same time will limit the risks from them. According to him, one of the main goals is to increase the competitiveness of the economy, and the State must support all sectors.

Attracting more investment in this sector, where Bulgaria is strong, training employees to work with artificial intelligence, harnessing technology to increase the efficiency of the administration, and “moving to a much more automated mode” are among the tasks of the bill. 

The bill also focuses on the creation of a national coordinator and a body for the ethical use of AI. The national coordinator will lead the development of a national strategy and participate in the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation and international expert groups, explained Bozhanov. "With this bill, we are not proposing restrictions on business, but we are creating a simplified interpretation of the more controversial interpretations of the EU act, thus making Bulgaria a more attractive place for investment in this type of technology," said Bozhanov. 

To encourage the use of AI, targeted funding in the form of vouchers is planned under the law on small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as training in the use of AI, which could be provided through programmes run by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the implementation of European projects, and information campaigns. "We must not only be consumers of these technologies, but Bulgarian businesses must also produce them, and conditions for attracting scientists must be improved," said Bozhanov.