Belgrade Hosts the Global AI Elite: GPAI Summit Successfully Held

The GPAI Summit (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) was successfully held in Belgrade, marking the first edition under the new integrated cooperation framework with the OECD. This prestigious event brought together high-ranking officials, ambassadors, delegates, experts, and leaders in artificial intelligence from around the globe, who worked collectively to advance the global dialogue on the responsible development and deployment of AI.

We are living in an era defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, progressing at an unprecedented pace. While these developments generate widespread enthusiasm, they also raise critical questions: Can AI truly replace human capabilities? How can intellectual property be protected in the age of AI? How essential is it for young people to gain comprehensive knowledge of AI through education?

These and many other pressing topics were at the forefront of discussions during the 2024 GPAI Summit, hosted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia with support from the OECD. The Summit gathered GPAI member countries, leading global AI experts, international organizations, industry leaders, and academia to explore global challenges and solutions related to AI. The goal was to guide the responsible and human-centric development and application of this transformative technology.

Over the course of several panels and sessions, participants addressed key themes, including:

• Building trustworthy and ethical AI systems;
• Leveraging AI for economic and societal benefits;
• Addressing global challenges through international collaboration;
• Empowering emerging economies with AI to drive job creation and economic growth.

The Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IVI), Prof. Dr. Dubravko Ćulibrk, played a significant role as part of the GPAI Summit’s program committee. Key contributions also came from three members of the IVI Advisory Board. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Pavlović and Prof. Dr. Borko Furht participated in the panel “Collaborative Innovation: Partnerships Between Academia, Industry, and Government”, where they underscored the importance of collaborative innovation. The discussion explored how partnerships between academia, industry, and governments act as key drivers of technological advancement and solutions to complex societal challenges.

Prof. Dr. Đorđija Petkoski took part in the panel “Empowering Emerging Markets: The Role of AI in Job Creation and Economic Growth”. This session focused on AI’s potential to empower emerging economies by fostering innovation, improving productivity, and creating new opportunities. Special attention was given to strategies for utilizing AI technologies to build sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Hosting the GPAI Summit in Belgrade represents a significant step forward in strengthening Serbia’s international position on the global AI map. The event highlighted the need for global collaboration to shape AI ecosystems that address societal needs while ensuring ethical and security standards are upheld.

The GPAI Summit in Belgrade showcased Serbia as a hub for global AI discussions, reinforcing the importance of innovation, ethics, and responsibility in advancing technologies that will shape the future of humanity.