Innovations in Focus: Smart Solutions for Society 5.0

The second Industry and Academia Forum — FTN Forum 2: Smart Solutions for Society 5.0 — was successfully held at the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad. The event was organized by the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia, the Faculty of Technical Sciences at the University of Novi Sad, and the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Serbia and the Japanese Business Alliance.

In his opening remarks, Acting Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia, Dr. Vladimir Udovičić, highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and public institutions in the development of sustainable technological solutions.

“Since its establishment, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia has had a clear mission: to build an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and the application of artificial intelligence in addressing real, everyday challenges. Our work is focused on creating value for citizens, the economy, and institutions. That is why the theme of this year’s forum is not merely a vision of the future for us — it is a call to action, a call to create a society where technology truly serves people, a society that is technologically advanced, economically competitive, and socially inclusive,” Dr. Udovičić stated.

The event brought together representatives from government institutions, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. The central theme of this year’s forum — “Smart Solutions for Society 5.0” — is a concept originating from Japan that integrates digital technologies with social development to improve quality of life and create a sustainable environment for future generations. Through keynote lectures, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, participants explored how the principles of Society 5.0 can be applied in Serbia and the broader region, with a strong emphasis on human-centered technologies and innovation.

The forum program featured three thematic panels addressing key areas of development:

• Smart Cities – developing urban ecosystems powered by data and digital technologies
  
• Smart Factories – transforming production processes through industrial AI, automation, and robotics
  
• Smart Healthcare – applying digital solutions to enhance healthcare services and improve access to care
  

This multidisciplinary approach enabled an exchange of experiences, best practices, and ideas for future collaboration among industry, academia, and the public sector.

The conclusion of FTN Forum 2 reaffirmed the strong momentum and shared interest in jointly shaping technological and social solutions that will support the development of Society 5.0 in Serbia.