BRUSSELS – Bulgaria is well-equipped to begin developing artificial intelligence (AI) models tailored for individual businesses to enhance efficiency. This assertion was made by Eva Maydel, a member of the European Parliament representing the European People’s Party and co-rapporteur for the AI Legislative Act, in an interview with BTA.
The regulation, which aims to create standardized rules for artificial intelligence, was approved by the European Parliament in March of last year. Its goal is to ensure safety and uphold fundamental rights while fostering innovation. Following a final review and approval by the European Council, the regulation officially took effect on August 1 of this year. Although it is now in force, companies within the European Union (EU) have until August 2026 to prepare fully, as it will be applicable 24 months post-approval, when high-risk AI system requirements will be enforced, Maydel noted.
Maydel highlighted that Bulgarian companies, startups, and research institutions have considerable opportunities to use this law as a springboard for growth and innovation.
She elaborated on the AI factories being established across the EU. “One such factory is located in Sofia. Virtually any business can utilize the AI factory and the INSAIT institute to create a model tailored to specific business processes, utilizing the necessary data,” Maydel stated.
She mentioned that the requirements for developing artificial intelligence in less risky domains are less stringent. High-risk systems include those used for disease diagnosis, automotive autopilot systems, and biometric identification, which might be implicated in criminal activities. These systems must undergo rigorous testing, ensure transparency, and include human oversight before they can enter the EU market.
Maydel pointed out that the key challenge in implementing the AI Legislative Act is how well companies prepared to develop AI in high-risk fields adapt to the law.
She reported that many companies are requesting a delay in the enforcement of certain aspects of this legislation.
Maydel criticized the European Commission for its handling of the law’s presentation to businesses. “The EC has not provided adequate and timely guidance on compliance with this law, leading to significant frustration. There are growing concerns that this legislation might stifle AI development in Europe, while the original intention was to foster a trustworthy environment for AI,” she remarked.
Additionally, Maydel addressed the economic implications and challenges, emphasizing the influence of artificial intelligence on critical thinking and education. She observed that, currently, applications like ChatGPT do not pose the greatest threats; rather, the risks arising from children’s uncontrolled use of social networks and generative AI are considerably higher, she concluded. (26.11.2025)
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