Croatia and Slovenia: A Central Hub for AI in the Region

The collaboration between Croatia and Slovenia presents a wealth of knowledge, innovative people, and companies utilizing new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The application of AI in business was the focus of a conference organized by Infobip, the Slovenian-Croatian business club SLO CRO, and the Slovenian embassy in Zagreb. The goal of the event was to facilitate knowledge exchange and experiences related to implementing AI in companies, with the aim of improving business processes and outcomes.

The conference brought together approximately one hundred participants from both countries, mainly representing companies and associations involved in AI. Aleksandar Raić from Infobip emphasized the importance of working together on AI solutions, stating that the two countries could potentially become a central hub for AI in the region. He mentioned that AI is already widely used in large companies, including at Infobip, where they have a significant number of customers using their AI solutions and are actively working on multiple AI projects. Raić also highlighted the relevance of AI-powered assistants or bots that can communicate like humans, suggesting that such technologies could help companies streamline their operations and free up time for more creative pursuits.

The attendees discussed various applications of AI in different areas, with a focus on customer services such as call centers. Companies like Infobip have introduced knowledge management systems powered by AI to assist employees in their day-to-day tasks. Saša Muminović, President of the SLO CRO business club, underscored the growing interest in AI among businesses and the potential for AI-driven solutions to become standard practice in the future. The Slovenian ambassador in Zagreb emphasized knowledge transfer and collaboration between Croatia and Slovenia as crucial for developing their respective AI capabilities.

While there are challenges associated with integrating new technologies into existing infrastructure and high costs involved with implementation, speakers such as State Secretary Hrvoje Bujanovic highlighted significant opportunities for automation and increased competitiveness for companies through responsible use of technology.

Overall, closer collaboration between Croatia and Slovenia offers immense potential benefits due to their shared technological expertise and innovative capabilities. As they continue to embrace new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), policymakers should prioritize supporting responsible use while fostering innovation sharing within these nations.