Bulgaria AI and technological integration strategy

Bulgaria is pursuing a multi-sectoral strategy to integrate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into its national infrastructure. At the Sofia Economic Forum, Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ivan Vasilev outlined goals to transform the country into a European hub for high-value business and startups by 2030. This plan focuses on boosting labor productivity through AI, creating regulatory sandboxes for robotics, and implementing digital identity and wallet systems to streamline administration.

This technological focus has extended into the defense sector. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov has identified artificial intelligence and autonomous systems as critical for modern defense planning and operational superiority. He emphasized the necessity of integrating technology with transatlantic and European security mechanisms to address asymmetric threats in the Black Sea region, such as drone attacks on commercial vessels. To support these security efforts, Bulgaria joined a NATO initiative on October 30, 2026, aimed at countering low-flying threats.