Serbia AI Strategy 2025-2030

Overview

The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 (hereinafter, the Strategy) represents a pivotal national policy document aimed at guiding and accelerating the advancement of artificial intelligence within Serbia. Adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia on January 10, 2025, upon the proposal of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, this Strategy builds upon and extends the objectives of its predecessor, the 2019 AI Strategy. It underscores Serbia's commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of AI as a key driver of the fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation. The document emphasizes that AI is an inevitable and unstoppable force, and that only societies embracing change can thrive. Serbia positions itself as a leader in the Southeast European region in AI development and governance, a status further solidified by its presidency of the Global Partnership for AI (GPAI).

The overarching goal of the Strategy is to create a robust ecosystem for AI development and application, fostering innovation, improving public services, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Serbian citizens. It acknowledges the significant global economic impact of AI, with market projections reaching $826 billion by 2030, and anticipates substantial shifts in the workforce due to automation and transformation of jobs. By outlining strategic directions in legislative framework, education, innovation, infrastructure, and public sector application, the Strategy seeks to ensure that Serbia remains competitive and adaptable in the rapidly evolving global technological landscape, aligning its efforts with national programs such as "Skok u budućnost 2027" (Jump into the Future 2027).

Definitions

The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030, as a high-level policy document, does not provide explicit, formal definitions of "Artificial Intelligence" or related technical terms within the provided official excerpts. Instead, it operates on a broad, functional understanding of AI as a set of advanced technologies and methodologies that enable machines to perform cognitive tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, decision-making, perception, and natural language understanding. This implicit definition aligns with the global consensus on AI as a transformative force driving the "fourth industrial revolution" and digital societal evolution.

The document's focus is pragmatic, emphasizing the practical application and societal impact of AI rather than engaging in theoretical definitional exercises. It implicitly refers to AI encompassing various sub-fields like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics, as evidenced by its discussions on AI's role in healthcare, agriculture, public administration, and education. The Strategy's objectives and proposed measures are designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by these diverse AI capabilities, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework for their responsible development and deployment across the Republic of Serbia.

Governance and Institutional Framework

The governance and institutional framework for the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 is primarily spearheaded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation plays a central role, having proposed the Strategy and being tasked with its oversight and the drafting of subsequent legislative acts. This Ministry is instrumental in coordinating efforts across various government bodies, academic institutions, and the private sector to achieve the Strategy's objectives. Furthermore, the Strategy's formulation benefited from the expert opinion and wide consultations with the scientific community and the Government Council for Artificial Intelligence, indicating a multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance.

A cornerstone of Serbia's AI infrastructure is the existing National Platform for Artificial Intelligence, which is slated for further investment and expansion under this new Strategy. This platform, along with additional investments in computational infrastructure, including supercomputers and data centers, forms the technological backbone for AI research, development, and application. The institutional framework is designed to foster an environment conducive to responsible innovation, ensuring that the development and deployment of AI technologies are guided by ethical principles and contribute positively to society. The Strategy explicitly aims to create a comprehensive legal, ethical, and institutional framework, signaling a commitment to robust governance mechanisms that will evolve with the technology itself.

Key Focus Areas

The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 outlines several critical focus areas designed to ensure comprehensive and accelerated AI development. Firstly, a significant emphasis is placed on the legislative framework, with a clear objective to develop new laws and regulations that will govern the ethical, safe, and responsible deployment of AI technologies. This includes addressing areas where AI use is currently unregulated, such as liability and data protection beyond existing personal data laws. This proactive approach aims to establish a predictable and trustworthy environment for AI innovation and application, ensuring legal certainty for developers and users alike.

Secondly, the Strategy prioritizes substantial investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure. In education, it seeks to integrate AI learning across all levels, from primary and secondary schools to higher education (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies), and through informal training programs. This is crucial for building a skilled workforce capable of driving AI development and adoption. For innovation, the Strategy commits to financing the development of new AI-based solutions through national entities like the Fund for Science and the Fund for Innovation Activity. Infrastructure development includes further investments in computational resources, such as supercomputers and the National AI Platform, which are vital for supporting complex AI research and large-scale applications. Lastly, a key focus is on the increased application of AI in the public sector, aiming to enhance the efficiency and quality of public services. Specific examples cited include earlier disease detection, improved healthcare quality, more efficient public administration, increased electricity production, and more effective agricultural output, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging AI for tangible societal benefits.

Implementation Framework

The implementation framework for the Strategy is designed to be multi-faceted, leveraging both financial instruments and institutional coordination to achieve its ambitious goals. A core component involves significant financial support for AI research and development. This will be channeled through established government funding mechanisms, specifically programs managed by the Fund for Science and the Fund for Innovation Activity. These funds are designated to stimulate the creation of novel AI-based solutions, foster collaborative projects between academia and industry, and support startups focused on AI technologies. This financial backing is critical for nurturing a vibrant AI ecosystem and translating research into practical applications that benefit the Serbian economy and society.

Beyond direct funding for projects, the Strategy emphasizes strategic investments in national AI infrastructure. This includes further enhancing the capabilities of the National Platform for Artificial Intelligence and acquiring additional computational resources, such as advanced supercomputers. Such infrastructure is essential for providing researchers, innovators, and public sector entities with the necessary computing power and data storage to develop and deploy sophisticated AI models. The implementation also relies heavily on a collaborative approach, involving continuous consultation with the scientific community and expert guidance from the Government Council for Artificial Intelligence. This ensures that the Strategy's execution remains aligned with the latest technological advancements and addresses the practical needs of stakeholders, while also integrating AI into various sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture to drive modernization and efficiency.

Monitoring and Evaluation

While the provided excerpts of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 do not detail specific, explicit mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, a national policy document of this scope inherently implies a continuous process of oversight to ensure its objectives are met. The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, as the proposing and coordinating body, would logically be responsible for tracking progress against the Strategy's key focus areas and strategic goals. This would involve assessing the impact of investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure, as well as the effectiveness of AI applications in the public sector.

The evaluation process would likely involve periodic reviews and reports, possibly conducted in collaboration with the Government Council for Artificial Intelligence and other relevant stakeholders from academia and industry. These assessments would aim to measure the Strategy's contribution to economic growth, digital transformation, and societal well-being, as well as its alignment with the broader "Skok u budućnost 2027" program. Such monitoring and evaluation would also serve to identify emerging challenges, assess the relevance of existing measures, and inform any necessary adjustments or updates to the Strategy, ensuring its adaptability to the dynamic nature of AI technology and its societal implications over the 2025-2030 period.

Penalties, Liability, and Appeals

As a high-level strategic policy document, the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 does not itself establish specific penalties, detailed liability regimes, or formal appeal mechanisms. Its primary function is to define the strategic direction and foster an environment for AI development, rather than to legislate binding legal obligations or enforcement measures. The Strategy acknowledges that the use of Artificial Intelligence in Serbia is not yet comprehensively legally regulated, except partially in the context of personal data protection, highlighting a gap that needs to be addressed.

Crucially, the Strategy explicitly identifies the development of a comprehensive legal framework for AI as one of its key focus areas. It states that the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation is currently tasked with drafting the first dedicated law regulating Artificial Intelligence. This forthcoming legislation is where detailed provisions regarding compliance requirements, potential penalties for non-compliance, mechanisms for establishing liability in cases of AI-induced harm, and procedures for appeals and redress will be introduced. Therefore, while the Strategy sets the stage for responsible AI governance, the specific legal consequences and protective measures will be articulated in subsequent, more granular legislative acts.

Relationship to Other Instruments

The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 is intricately linked to several other national and international instruments, serving as both a continuation and a foundational document. It explicitly builds upon and succeeds the previous AI strategy adopted in 2019, signifying a sustained and evolving national commitment to AI development. Section 11 (Final Provisions) of the adopted text is explicit on this point: upon the entry into force of this Strategy, the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2020-2025 ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 96/19) ceases to be valid ("Ступањем на снагу ове стратегије престаје да важи..."). The 2019 instrument is therefore formally repealed and replaced, not merely superseded in practice. This new Strategy updates and refines the goals and measures based on the latest advancements in AI and global trends, ensuring Serbia's plans remain current and forward-looking. Its adoption is also noted to align with the broader objectives of the national program "Skok u budućnost 2027" (Jump into the Future 2027), indicating its integration into Serbia's overarching modernization and digital transformation agenda.

Furthermore, the Strategy plays a crucial role in informing and necessitating the development of future legislative instruments. It highlights the current lack of comprehensive legal regulation for AI in Serbia (beyond data protection) and mandates the creation of a new, dedicated legal framework. The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation is tasked with drafting the first law specifically regulating Artificial Intelligence, which will translate the strategic objectives into binding legal norms concerning ethics, safety, liability, and governance. This demonstrates that the Strategy acts as a high-level blueprint that will guide the creation of more detailed and enforceable legal instruments, thereby shaping the future regulatory landscape for AI in Serbia.

International Alignment

The Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 places significant emphasis on international alignment and cooperation, underscoring Serbia's ambition to be a proactive player in global AI governance. A key indicator of this commitment is Serbia's presidency of the Global Partnership for AI (GPAI), an OECD initiative, which it assumed in December 2024. This leadership role positions Serbia at the forefront of international discussions on responsible AI development, ethical guidelines, and cross-border collaboration, reflecting its recognition as a regional leader in managing AI advancement.

By actively participating in and leading international forums like GPAI, Serbia aims to align its national AI policies and practices with global best standards and recommendations. The Strategy's focus on creating a legal, ethical, and institutional framework for AI is inherently influenced by international developments and shared principles for trustworthy AI. This international engagement not only facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices but also fosters opportunities for cross-border research, innovation, and mutual recognition of AI solutions, thereby strengthening Serbia's position within the global digital economy and ensuring its AI ecosystem is globally competitive and ethically sound.

Implementation Timeline

Compliance Checklist

Sources and References