ECONOMY – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – CONFERENCE
IT Startups
Can Join Machine Learning
Competition
The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC) is a strategic partner of an initiative for providing technological and financial support to startup companies that develop machine learning-based applications, said here Tuesday Deputy Minister Andreana Atanassova during a conference titled “Artificial Intelligence and I”, held at Sofia Tech Park. The event is organized by the Digital National Alliance, SAS Institute, Deloitte and Vivacom, the MTITC reported.
The start of the SAS Startup Challenge was announced during the forum. The competition allows innovative IT companies to get technological assistance for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. In the course of six months, SAS Institute will provide the companies a secure and standardized platform for developing applications. The proposals will be assessed by a commission, which will include a MTITC representative. The three best innovative products will be promoted.
Atanassova noted that the initiative welcomes young and innovative companies to participate, adding that public-private partnership is one of the best ways to stimulate a given sector. “The State can help, it can support such initiatives. We are witnessing the new industrial revolution, AI is in its focus, but it is defined by people. The technology is meant to serve us and facilitate our lives, not the other way around. It is no coincidence that man must remain at the core of AI’s development,” the Deputy Minister said.