Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has recently become a highly debated topic, with a mix of high expectations and fears about its impact on society. There are those who see AI as a technology that could bring about tremendous progress, especially in the fields of science, medicine, and administration and law, while others worry about the risks it could pose, such as the replacement of human labor and the potential for unethical behavior. In response to these concerns, the European Union has proposed the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), which aims to provide the highest standards in the world to ensure the trust of European citizens in AI. The law will set up proportionate and flexible rules to address the risks associated with AI, and the European Union plans to invest 140 billion euros in the field of AI and digitization over the next seven years.
In Serbia, a dynamic period of development and regulation of AI has recently taken place, with the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Development Strategy and the establishment of the National Platform for Artificial Intelligence.
The Office for Information Technologies and Electronic Administration (ITE) signed agreements on using the first National Platform for Artificial Intelligence (AI Platform) with the Science Technology Park Belgrade, the Science Technology Park Čačak, the Science and Technology Park Novi Sad, and the Science and Technology Park Niš, with the goal of supporting the work on implementing and spreading artificial intelligence in Serbia, supporting scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as ensuring the application of artificial intelligence in the industry.
The goal of the strategy is to use AI for economic growth, employment, and improved quality of life, with specific goals such as the development of AI education and the improvement of public sector services through AI.
There is an increasing interest in using artificial intelligence for resolving legal disputes, conducting legal research, and due diligence. Conducting due diligence often requires legal professionals to review many documents and AI can help legal professionals review documents faster, like tagging documents containing a specific clause in a second. Of course, a human review of the data is still recommended, legal professionals can benefit from minimizing the effort of document review. When it comes to the software analysis for resolving legal cases, it can aid decision-making. It is important to acknowledge that the use of artificial intelligence in this field is limited by various factors, including the unique legal and factual circumstances of each case, and judicial discretion.
The use of artificial intelligence requires cooperation at all levels and a willingness to learn from the experiences of other countries, especially those that are ahead in the development of AI. With the right approach, AI can be used to benefit society and bring about positive change, while avoiding the risks associated with it.