The fourth edition of the international forum CreaTech Summit Southeast Europe 2026 has officially opened at the Toplocentrala Regional Centre for Contemporary Arts in Sofia. Themed around creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, the event brings together representatives of the creative industries, business, the technology sector and public institutions from Bulgaria and across Europe. The programme includes discussions on the future of cinema, music, design, video games, animation, copyright and emerging technologies.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Mira Yossifova, Deputy Minister of Culture Zornitza Grekova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency Boyko Takov, Toplocentrala Director Veselin Dimov, producers and television presenters Andrey Arnaudov and Ivan Hristov, and CreaTech Bulgaria Chairwoman Genoveva Christova. Among the participants was also Ahinora, a virtual influencer created by the Bulgarian digital agency BG Content.
“The future belongs to those who combine human creativity with the power of machines,” Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Mira Yossifova said. According to her, real transformation does not occur simply with the emergence of new technologies, but when people rethink the way they work. She noted that while machines can process vast amounts of information in the creative industries, humans remain responsible for providing vision and judgment. In her view, the education system should encourage creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning, while Bulgaria has the potential to develop competitive advantages through its creative talent.
Yossifova stressed that supporting the creative industries is a priority for the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Among the possible measures, she highlighted the establishment of regulatory sandboxes for experimenting with artificial intelligence, practical support for businesses and ongoing dialogue between institutions and the private sector. She emphasized that protecting original works does not hinder innovation but instead provides a foundation for its development.
Artificial intelligence is no longer merely a tool through which art reaches audiences; it can now participate in the creative process itself, Deputy Minister of Culture Zornitza Grekova noted. According to her, this raises fundamental questions about authorship, intellectual property and the protection of human talent. Grekova pointed out that the Ministry of Culture has a responsibility both to encourage innovation and to safeguard copyright and cultural diversity.
Bulgarian companies operating in the creative industries must remain flexible and adapt to the new technological landscape, said Boyko Takov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency. He noted that supporting the sector’s international expansion is among the agency’s priorities, citing the participation of Bulgarian companies in international trade fairs and gaming industry events in China.
Artificial intelligence should not be viewed as an adversary to human creativity, but rather as a tool for expanding its potential, said CreaTech Bulgaria Chairwoman Genoveva Christova. According to her, emerging technologies can help creators and companies from smaller countries such as Bulgaria become more competitive in international markets. She emphasized that while machines can improve efficiency, human imagination and creative vision must continue to guide future development. Hristova encouraged participants to use the forum as an opportunity to establish new contacts, partnerships and collaborative projects.
Ahinora, the virtual influencer created using artificial intelligence by Bulgarian digital agency BG Content, officially declared the forum open. In a prerecorded address, the digital character stated that when human imagination meets technology, ideas can take on new forms. “Behind my digital image are people – their curiosity, their decisions and their courage to try something different,” Ahinora said.
The fourth edition of the international CreaTech Summit South-East Europe brings together more than 45 speakers and participants from Bulgaria and abroad to discuss the future of the creative industries in the age of artificial intelligence. The programme features lectures, panel discussions, workshops, technology demonstrations, virtual reality experiences and a competition for young filmmakers.
One of the main topics is the potential of major international cultural events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, to stimulate tourism, business and urban economic development. Other highlights include the application of artificial intelligence in design, animation and digital content, the development of the video game industry, spatial audio and emerging audio technologies.
The forum also addresses issues of authorship and intellectual property amid the advancement of artificial intelligence, with legal consultations planned for creators and entrepreneurs. Among the innovative projects is a virtual experience showcasing the Bulgarian Antarctic base on Livingston Island, while the closing programme combines an interactive audiovisual installation, dance, laser drawing and artificial intelligence.
4th CreaTech Summit SEE Kicks Off 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-16 10:56:08
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