Across the entire European Union, the Artificial Intelligence Act establishes standards for fairness, transparency, and accountability, while leaving non-EU countries to regulate the responsible use of AI on their own
The implementation of artificial intelligence is happening at a faster pace than the creation of regulatory frameworks or the adoption of minimum standards for its responsible creation and use. Experts in this field, during the discussion within the framework of the annual conference “e-Society,” highlighted the risks of “regulation after experimentation,” the ethical dilemmas of including artificial intelligence in classrooms and public services, as well as the need for early safeguards to protect justice and inclusion for all citizens. The National Center for Artificial Intelligence “Vezilka” in the Republic of Macedonia was also presented, writes Portalb.mk
As algorithms shape our lives, human rights and integrity are being challenged. Across the entire European Union, the Artificial Intelligence Act establishes standards for fairness, transparency, and accountability, while leaving non-EU countries to regulate the responsible use of AI on their own.
Discussing the risks of post-experimental regulation, the ethical dilemmas of integrating AI into classrooms and public services, and the urgent need for early safeguards to protect privacy and inclusion for all citizens, experts from the region and beyond shared their experiences and suggestions.
Ledia Canga, a cybersecurity risk management expert from the National Cybersecurity Authority of Albania, emphasized that the new challenges of AI are not just trends and technologies, but a milestone for what humans can be in the era of artificial intelligence, but, according to her, there is no AI without people.
She explained that, in this regard, creators and their creations develop together, but that this process can be regulated and that institutions have significant work to do.
“Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, systems are becoming more complex, and the consequences are real. To prioritize human judgment, human integrity must remain constant,” Canga said.
Canga emphasizes that this area requires continuous monitoring, and among other things, she mentioned the institutional steps that Albania is taking in this direction.
According to her, risk is better prevented than discovered.
“What will protect us is not the technology, but the way we regulate it and how we use it,” Canga said. “Artificial intelligence interacts with national institutions, but safeguards move more slowly than interactions with artificial intelligence. Therefore, institutions must balance innovation and responsibility,” Canga stressed.
On the other hand, Anastasija Ilievska, Community Manager at Brainster Next, presented the artificial intelligence project “AI in the Classroom” in the Republic of North Macedonia, which was developed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Brainster to integrate AI into the education system.
Ilievska says that it is important to learn, but also to create.
The goal was to educate high school teachers about the use of artificial intelligence in education, so they could implement it in the classroom and teach students about artificial intelligence, said Ilievska.
She emphasized that rapid changes need to be made among both teachers and students, because as she explained, young people are now quite creative. As an example, she cited the case of some students from Bitola who created an artificial intelligence system that they sold in the United States.
The steps must be very precise and accurate, she pointed out.
Zia Perko Rogelj, Member of the Advisory Council of Youth at the Council of Europe and Board Member of Connect International, said their mission is to bring humanity to digital life.
“Protecting human rights is extremely important, which is why we are trying to tackle discrimination and other negative narratives. Regulation is necessary and must come first to ensure the protection of human rights and young people, and innovation must come second,” said Zia Perko Rogelj.
She also emphasized that young people must have space and be included and heard. For this, she said, governments bear significant responsibility.
How can this regulatory gap be overcome in the Republic of North Macedonia?
For that purpose, Milla Brown, an artificial intelligence policy researcher, presented the findings of her study on aligning North Macedonia’s policies with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
The research showed that the country has a strong cyber system and general data protection, but the legal system is not very comprehensive, and the institutional capacity is not sufficiently equipped, Brown said.
She said, among other things, that if the Republic of North Macedonia wants to join the EU, it must work in this direction. However, according to her, institutional capacities are limited.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a matter of the future, but of the present, she said.
Vezilka, the artificial intelligence center expected to transform the Republic of North Macedonia
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence “Vezilka” has been introduced in North Macedonia, a project that aims to create a state ecosystem for the responsible and safe use of artificial intelligence.
This project, worth a total of approximately 6 million euros, is being implemented with financial support from the European Union through the Horizon Europe program and the EuroHPC initiative, and is co-financed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering (FINKI) as the project leader.
Presenting this center, Professor Igor Miskovski from FINKI explained that this project focuses on and will transform five priority areas: health, green energy, agriculture, language, public administration. Among other things, he mentioned the challenges and opportunities.
North Macedonia is currently in the early stages of adopting artificial intelligence, with limited penetration in the industrial, public and social sectors, said Miskovski.
He emphasized that “Vezilka” has five main strategic goals, namely: Strengthening the national artificial intelligence ecosystem; providing customized artificial intelligence services for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and public institutions; developing and retaining talent in artificial intelligence; enabling strategic cooperation; and supporting the Government.
Vezilka should be remembered as a bearer of responsible and human-oriented artificial intelligence in the Republic of North Macedonia, by bringing intelligent technology closer to citizens and directing it towards significant social changes. In three years from now, I want us to look back and say: This was the moment when everything changed, said Miskovski.
“Vezilka” will serve as a partner unit of the European AI Factory “Faros,” based in Greece, providing Macedonian institutions, researchers, companies, and startups with access to European supercomputers and advanced data spaces. It will operate as a center for training and human capital development, offering educational programs, practical projects, and hands-on training in the field of artificial intelligence.
The 21st edition of the International Conference e-Society.mk, organized by the Metamorphosis Foundation, is taking place today in Skopje. This year, the conference is focused on the theme “Integrity at the Core of Digital Transformation,” examining how rapid technological advancements are reshaping democratic sustainability, human rights, and social trust in an increasingly interconnected world.
Link to the original text: Е-општество: Човечкиот интегритет се соочува со дилеми во ерата на вештачката интелигенција, како да се одговори на новите предизвици и кои се решенијата? – Meta.mk
