Serbia no longer lags behind the developed world thanks to a large number of local and foreign technology companies, but also to the strategic decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to continuously encourage the development of the knowledge-based economy and solutions based on artificial intelligence, to encourage the development of robotics and automation, and to support the development of cutting-edge technologies in many other ways
SERBIA JOINS THE RANKS OF THE ‘SMARTEST’
Belgrade ranks third in Europe for the development of artificial intelligence, surpassed only by London and Vienna. In this field, Serbia has prominent representatives in the largest and most respectable organisations around the world, in companies such as Google, DeepMind, YouTube, AWS, IBM, Microsoft and others.
The same applies to the world’s most recognized universities and international organizations. In November 2022, Serbia became a member of the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence and was thus included among the 29 countries that have access to the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence and the opportunity to contribute to the development of technology that will shape the future of the economy, as does today the hyper-topical ChatGPT.
Among the 29 member states of the GPAI, which include the UK, U.S., Israel, Singapore, Germany, Australia, Brazil, India and Japan, Serbia is the first in Southeast Europe to join this initiative and, along with Slovenia, is the leader in the region.
KRAGUJEVAC DATA CENTRE TO GET AN INNOVATION DISTRICT
In addition to the existing two state-of-the-art facilities of the State Data Center, which were built according to the highest technical and security standards, the future Innovation District is emerging in Kragujevac, the first in Serbia and the only one in this part of Europe. The innovation district will cover 56,000 square metres and is designed as an innovative digital centre with entertainment and sports facilities. The centre will be intended for members of the IT community, but will also be open to the public.
The National Centre for Information Security will have a special place, and there will also be separate areas for IT, then a smart city centre for the development of smart energy systems, networking of smart infrastructure, a centre for the promotion of digitalisation, a section for bio-informatics and bioengineering with research space and laboratories, and an educational centre for training students.
The Innovation District will also house the fifth science and technology park in Serbia, meaning more new jobs for engineers, IT workers and for residents of Kragujevac and the surrounding area.
ChatGPT HAS A BRILLIANT FORECAST FOR OUR COUNTRY
ChatGPT, a program that simulates dialogue with the help of artificial intelligence, was launched in late 2022 and was seen by many as “the beginning of the artificial intelligence revolution”. And since it has been a real attraction here for some time, many have already become familiar with its possibilities. The results, it turns out, can be very interesting.
When asked by one of our daily newspapers what Serbians can expect in 2023, ChatGPT was very optimistic.
“In 2023, Serbians will have a vastly improved life,” said ChatGPT.
“The economic situation will stabilise and most people will be able to earn enough money for their basic needs. Infrastructure
will be improved, with stronger and faster networks, which will make everyday life easier. In this regard, digitalisation is in full swing, with an increasing number of services being offered online. The quality of health care will greatly improve, with new and advanced technologies becoming available. Progress will also be seen in education, with a stronger emphasis on innovation and adaptation to new technology. The political system will be reformed, with stronger respect for democratic principles. The judicial system will be improved, with more respect for certain rights. In 2023, the people of Serbia will have the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of a better life.”
SERBIA HAS A 2020-2025 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Serbia from 2020 to 2025 defines three key areas in which artificial intelligence can contribute to the public good and the provision of higher quality services. These are public administration, health and medicine and urban transport, road infrastructure and mobility. As part of public administration reform, progress has been made in establishing user-oriented electronic administration, but the further development of electronic services requires the application of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In the healthcare system, artificial intelligence significantly improves early diagnostics, ensures better availability of all resources and equipment and optimizes their use, and contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. And finally, the application of artificial intelligence can improve traffic planning and flow, enabling the optimisation of traffic signals and real-time traffic management.
WE SHALL SOON BE ABLE TO DETECT RARE DISEASES FASTER
The Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Novi Sad is creating an algorithm that will detect rare diseases, and as it develops it should improve diagnostics for chronic diseases too. In cooperation with the University Clinical Centre of Serbia, the University Children’s Clinic of Tiršova and the Clinical Hospital Centre of Zemun, this Institute is developing a project that should detect rare diseases at an early stage, which is often crucial to combat them.
The Institute’s researchers are currently collecting data and medical expertise, and developing an algorithm to create a rapid and reliable diagnostician. “We are creating an algorithm that will be more stupid than any human, but will be able to process a huge amount of data in a very short time and thus perhaps identify a rare disease. For the first tests, we chose Fabry disease, after that we will also study Hunter syndrome”, says Dr Branka Rakić, leader of the AI in Healthcare and Lifescience research group. Scientists will develop the algorithm for the next year to a year and a half, after which it will be tested in the participating hospitals.
WE SHALL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
By 2030, the development of artificial intelligence will affect more than 15 percent of the growth of GDP, which is why the Government of Serbia, as announced several times, will continue investing in this branch. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić also announced the adoption of guidelines for the ethical use of artificial intelligence so it can be exploited for faster growth of our economy and industry, with greater productivity and competitiveness on the market.
What is encouraging is the fact that today in Serbia the entire government, public administration and local governments, the public sector from healthcare to energy to social protection, uses artificial intelligence, and thanks to this, people can enjoy better services.
BELGRADE SCHOOLCHILDREN SHARE A DESK WITH A ROBOT
What we could only see in science fiction movies until a few years ago is now a reality for the pupils of a Belgrade primary school – they spend their classes and long vacations with a real humanoid robot. This is a ‘child’ of modern technology, and thanks to the artificial intelligence that drives it, it plays an important role in the educational process.
The robot is a valuable teaching tool that allows teachers to greatly improve the quality of their lessons and gain a better insight into the progress of their students.
With the help of this little friend, students can more easily acquire a knowledge of STEM subjects, programming and robotics and become familiar with technology that will be an important tool for their career success tomorrow.
Thanks to the sophisticated technology that drives it, the robot establishes contact with each child, recognizes their emotions and adapts to them, helping them in their schoolwork and selflessly sharing knowledge with them.
DRONES IN AGRICULTURE SAVE TIME AND MONEY
Farmers from Čurug and the surrounding area who attended a promotion of the latest technological achievements were convinced that drones can have many uses in agriculture and that, in addition to better yield and healthier fruit, it can also provide large savings.
When the use of agricultural drones in the cultivation of wheat and barley was held at the end of February, it was emphasised that drones can be used in connection with artificial fertilisers, spraying, irrigation, crop control and terrain mapping.
The main advantage of drones is that there is no trampling of crops. In conditions of heavy rain, when agricultural machinery cannot enter a field, drones can be used at the right time, which leads to savings of fertilisers and better protection of plants. This is especially true for emerging infections, as it allows for immediate treatment.
Spraying one hectare with a drone takes five to seven minutes, depending on the type of treatment. Using a drone, fuel savings can be 100% and there is no pollution of crops with the by-products of burnt fuels. Also, 100% savings are achieved on the depreciation of tractors and attached machinery, and about 60 per cent of the time spent in the field is saved.