Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming Europe’s economy and society, with the EU AI Act setting a global benchmark for trustworthy and human-centered innovation. As Europe advances its digital agenda, the Western Balkans are increasingly aligning with these efforts, recognizing AI as a key driver of competitiveness, inclusion, and convergence with the EU.
Across the region, countries are developing national AI and digital strategies, investing in research capacity, and joining European initiatives like Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and COST Actions. With strong ICT sectors and skilled talent, the Western Balkans have growing potential to contribute to Europe’s AI ecosystem.
Yet challenges remain, low R&D investment, fragmented innovation systems, and limited digital infrastructure continue to slow progress. Strengthening regional cooperation, supporting AI skills and education, and engaging the diaspora can help bridge this gap.
Through EU instruments such as the Reform and Growth Facility and Digital Europe Programme, the region can accelerate its digital transformation and ensure that AI serves as a tool for innovation, integration, and inclusive growth across the Western Balkans.
News:
- Integrating the Western Balkans into Europe’s AI and Science Ecosystem
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Showcases National Supercomputing Initiatives at CMBEBIH 2025
- Serbia Adopts Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for the Period 2025–2030
- Leading Global Cybersecurity and AI Fund Visits Montenegro
- Constitutive Session of the Working Group for the Development of Montenegro’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Held
- Albania to Invest €10 Million in AI Startup Thinking Machines Lab
- Albania Appoints World’s First AI-Generated Government Minister
- North Macedonia Launches “Vezilka”, First National Centre for Artificial Intelligence
- New AI Collective Chapter Established in Skopje to Boost National AI Ecosystem
- Training on Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Higher Education at the University of Prishtina
- Focus Group Explores Integration of AI in the Higher Education System in Kosovo
- GÉANT Connect Online reporting about the Kosovo Research and Education Network
- EU Launches new Tools to Support the Implementation of the AI Act
- European Commission has Launched the Apply Artificial Intelligence Alliance
- Montenegro Science and Technology Park (STP MNE) and Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Launch an AI Laboratory
- Montenegro Presents its first AI Readiness Assessment Report for the Public Administration
- EU Expands AI Infrastructure, Boosting Opportunities for North Macedonia and Serbia
Events:
- E-society Conference: Regional Forum for Digital Transformation and AI-era Challenges
- Online Brokerage Event: Artificial Intelligence in Horizon Europe Calls
- Second National AI Conference “AI DIRECTLY: Montenegro in the Age of AI Challenges”
- EC-OECD workshop: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and the Implications for Materials Science
- Digital Europe Programme: Info Day for the 9th Round of the Advanced Digital Skills Call for Proposals
- Region’s First Startup Revolution AI Summit
- Productivity, Innovation and the Use of AI
- AI Technology in Vocational Training (VET)
- POLICY ANSWERS Training on Digital Transformation for Service-Based Companies
Calls:
- Digital Europe: Second Call for Innovation Studies for the Development of Generative AI Models
- Digital Europe: Cybersecure Tools, Technologies and Services Relying on AI
- Digital Europe: Consolidation of the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus)
- Digital Europe: Deployment of Cutting-edge Multi-modal AI-based Solutions in Medical Imaging
- Digital Europe: GenAI for the Public Administrations
- Digital Europe: Second Call for Innovation Studies for the Development of Generative AI Models
- Digital Europe: European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions
- Digital Europe – ELEVATE: European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge 2025
Documents:
- How the EU is Building an AI Ecosystem for Science – Interview with Axel Leisenberg, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
- AI in Local Government, Driving Innovation Bridging Gaps and Shaping the Digital Transition in the Western Balkans and Moldova
- Factsheet – European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science
- AI Innovation Package
- AI Continent Action Plan
- A European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science
- Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025: Digital, Industry and Space
- Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Serbia for the Period 2020-2025
- Advancing the Measurement of Investments in Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles
- Aligning North Macedonia’s AI Policy with the EU: Bridging the Regulatory Gap
- Kosovo Women on the Front Line of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
- e-Government Strategy Kosovo 2023-2027
- Artificial Intelligence Landscape Assessment (AILA) in Montenegro
Institutions and Organisations:
- e-Transformacija
- National Competence Centre for High-Performance Computing (NCC Montenegro)
- The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia
Initiatives:
- e-Kosova
- AI Gigafactory
- EU Artificial Intelligence Act
- Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe (RAISE)
- Montenegrin Artificial Intelligence Association (MAIA)
- INNOFEIT EDIH
- AI Factory Network
- MontEDIH
- InvestAI Initiative
- European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking – EuroHPC JU
- Sarajevo Initiative
- Map of Serbia’s AI Ecosystem
- Artificial Intelligence Association AI NOW!
