BULGARIA and the fifth industrial revolution. Opportunities for attracting strategic investors to build artificial intelligence factories and data centers.
07.04.2025
The Chairman of the Black Sea Energy Cluster, Eng. Todor Tonev, was invited and attended a round table on the topic: “Bulgaria and the Fifth Industrial Revolution. Opportunities for attracting strategic investors for the construction of artificial intelligence factories and data centers”. The event was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev, and took place on April 7, 2025 in Sofia.
The event was opened by the President, who informed the audience about the huge interest from global corporations in building artificial intelligence gigafactories on the territory of Bulgaria. The process is at the peak of a wave worldwide and our country has a unique chance for development, because we have some prerequisites that make us particularly attractive – such as sufficiently large energy capacities, powerful optical connections, free areas, human potential and, last but not least, a good place to live. The President also emphasized one main weakness, namely the relatively cumbersome administration, which may prove to be too big an obstacle to the development of AI in Bulgaria. Finally, he expressed hope that this first round table would produce a roadmap that would outline the necessary steps, at least in the short term.
The Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Iliana Yotova, presented the European policies in the field of artificial intelligence. She emphasized that the EU was the first in the world to create some regulations regarding the development of AI, because it is obvious, in addition to the great opportunity for new development, and the great threat of AI. Given the rapid development of AI, the need for flexibility in regulations and the need for quick reactions was also emphasized. The Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Mr. Krasimir Yakimov, presented the Prospects for Bulgaria for integration into the EU Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
The role of the state in ensuring the necessary conditions for the construction of artificial intelligence factories was presented by Nevena Lazarova, Deputy Minister of Economy, and Georgi Samandov, Deputy Minister of Energy. One of the most important conditions for the construction of an AI gigafactory is energy security, as these factories need huge and secure energy capacities. According to the transfer studies, suitable areas are near the Kozloduy NPP and the Maritsa Iztok TPP. Mr. Samandov emphasized that Bulgaria’s energy network has a capacity of 20 GW, with current consumption from 4 to 7 GW, which is actually a good advantage.
Borislav Petrov, Executive Director of INSAIT, gave a presentation on “How Bulgaria Can Become a World Leader in the Fifth Industrial Revolution”. He presented the work of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, which is located in Sofia, the first institute in Eastern Europe to offer world-class working conditions, corresponding to those in leading Western universities and institutes. The institute is structured as a special unit of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and was established in partnership with the Swiss ETH Zurich and EPFL, two of the best technological universities in the world. Leading scientists from top American, European and Israeli universities and research laboratories lead and advise the institute. INSAIT’s main focus is on scientific achievements: conducting world-class research, attracting international scientists with outstanding achievements and training the next generation of students and technological leaders. The founder of the institute is Prof. Martin Vechev, who is a world-renowned scientist in the field of computer science and artificial intelligence.
Finally, Dobroslav Dimitrov, Executive Director of BRAITH, presented the role of Bulgarian business and the ecosystem in the implementation of a project to build an artificial intelligence factory. Mr. Dimitrov emphasized the importance of quick action rather than the effort to write down perfect strategies and action plans.
During the open discussion, the mayor of Burgas made a special impression, who emphasized the preparation of Burgas. On the territory of Burgas there are two technological high schools and an innovation hub, where young professionals are trained, there are two huge municipal plots of 1000 decares and 3000 decares respectively, which have the status of an industrial zone, have energy security and are close to a lake or the sea, which is important due to the need for cooling. And last but not least, the mayor emphasized that in Burgas it is possible for a building permit to be issued within a week.
Varna Region was represented by the Black Sea Energy Cluster, and several meetings were held and the possibility of creating an incubator for AI on the territory of the Technical University of Varna was discussed. It should be emphasized that the lack of an industrial zone in Varna is a huge problem for technological development. There is still an opportunity to build it with funds from the operational programs. It is necessary to select kind-hearted people who will drive the process and bring it to a successful end in the foreseeable future.
