Mapping CEE strategies on AI
CEE Digital Coalition, an umbrella organization of think tanks with a focus on technologies and digitization, published a report on AI strategies within the CEE region and provided recommendations on boosting regional cooperation. SAPIE participated in this initiative and covered the current state of AI adoption in Slovakia.
The report, CEE AI Challengers 2025, examines the role of AI in shaping the economic and technological future of Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights the region's potential to become a digital hub within the European Union, despite lagging behind Western Europe in digital transformation and advanced technology adoption. Key challenges include limited use of cloud computing, big data, and high-performance computing, as well as a shortage of specialists in fields like robotics and cybersecurity.
On the contrary, CEE countries outperform Western Europe in ICT company density and employment share, with exports of ICT services growing significantly. However, investment in research and development remains significantly low, with Slovenia leading the region at 2.11% of GDP, while Romania lags at 0.46%.
The report suggests possible actions to support cooperation on AI among CEE countries. These actions include:
Create a CEE AI Alliance: a joint regional strategy, harmonized regulations, and a stronger joint position within the EU - level policymaking.
Build a regional AI supercluster: connect existing HPC centers and create a shared CEE AI Data Hub as part of the InvestAI initiative.
Support AI adoption in business: launch an AI voucher program, establish sector-specific AI centers, and introduce tax incentives, especially for SMEs.
Invest in talent and skills: set up a CEE AI Academy, promote re-skilling, simplify visa procedures for global AI talent, and fund joint research hubs.
Bring AI into public administration: automate public services, use AI chatbots, and open up public datasets to boost service quality and reduce bureaucracy.
Strengthen cybersecurity through AI: create a CEE AI Cyber Security Hub, use AI to protect critical infrastructure, and collaborate with NATO and the EU.
Ensure access to funding: launch a regional AI fund, attract partnerships with global tech leaders (e.g., Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA), and offer tax breaks for investors.
Adapt regulatory frameworks: establish a regional AI regulatory coordination office, create simplified compliance guidelines, and set up AI regulatory sandboxes.
Improve data accessibility: develop a regional data-sharing infrastructure, implement standardized text and data-mining protocols, and build open public data pools.
Unify standards and certification: coordinate participation in international standard bodies (ISO, NIST) and implement shared testing and certification for AI systems.
CEE nations are uniquely positioned to lead Europe's tech competitiveness by embracing AI-driven innovation and leveraging their agility and growing IT industries.
