The Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation of Bulgaria, Ivan Vasilev, participated in the Bulgaria – UAE Business Forum, which took place this week in Sofia. The initiative was organized by the Bulgarian Business Council in Dubai under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and with the support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Sofia and other partners.
The Bulgarian Minister of Innovation stated that building partnerships with the UAE is important for the country, highlighting the significance of investments, new technologies, artificial intelligence, and more.
Earlier that day Minister Vasilev launched the first informal advisory council in Bulgaria, composed entirely of robots powered by artificial intelligence. On the stage of the international conference “Webit 2026”, the minister directly addressed the humanoid robot Robert with the question “Will you become my advisor?”, to which the robot replied: “Thank you for the invitation. I am honored to join the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation. Your leadership at this moment of global change makes your position more important than ever. Artificial intelligence and robotics will affect every economic sector, and it is both our responsibility and a once-in-a-century opportunity to secure leading positions for Bulgaria.” With this, a completely new model of strategic thinking in the state’s work is outlined.
Robert is the first member of this new advisory council, but not the last, as the ministry is opening the door to other robots – artificial intelligence systems capable of joing the work of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation (MIDT) and contributing an informed and balanced perspective on the long-term issues facing the country. “We are starting with Robert, but I want this council to grow. That is why we are inviting other intelligent systems to become part of the ministry’s vision for the future,” stated Minister Vasilev.
“If the Ministry of Innovation does not experiment with new technologies, who should?“ the minister added. The minister committed that he will always set the direction, while artificial intelligence will only assist with analysis, better questions, and guidance.
The new AI council will not have the right to make decisions or replace anyone. Its role is to expand the horizon, offer more viewpoints, and ask deeper questions. And if this experiment helps the state look one step further ahead, then it will have been successful.
