GVERIĆ: TOPIC - DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 4 /SRNA/ - Drago Gverić, the director of the Innovation Center Banja Luka, stated that the focus of the seventh Forward Conference is on artificial intelligence tools, as well as several sectors related to small and medium-sized enterprises.

"We want to explore what digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises looks like with the help of artificial intelligence tools," Gverić told reporters in Banja Luka ahead of the opening of the three-day Forward Conference. He emphasized that members of the academic community, students, and pupils at the conference will have the opportunity to see how artificial intelligence can help them acquire knowledge more easily and prepare for lessons. According to him, there is significant interest from local communities eager to learn how to better respond to the increasing demands from citizens. He explained that, as part of the three-day conference, nine workshops and one panel discussion will be held, allowing all participants to gain as much practical knowledge as possible. "The third day is reserved for the youngest participants, whom we are introducing to the digital world, because we believe that future generations will definitely operate solely in a digital environment, without pen and paper," Gverić said. Zoran Bjelajac, Assistant Minister for Scientific and Technological Development of Republika Srpska, stated that the Forward Conference is an important platform for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. "The number of participants speaks to the significance of this conference. It is important for the Ministry that the Innovation Center Banja Luka engages proactively with events and addresses topics that are welcomed by young entrepreneurs and companies already in operation," Bjelajac emphasized. Ivan Pavlović, Assistant Director of the Niš Science and Technology Park, explained that innovators speak a different language than small and medium-sized enterprises, which is why it is crucial to explain how artificial intelligence can assist in everyday life. He noted that, at present, the application of artificial intelligence in companies with human resources and organizational capacities is still limited. "The Science and Technology Park offers to resolve the problem and tries to find a solution by creating a roadmap for the transition to artificial intelligence. We also offer testing of potential products in real-world environments that can provide benefits to end users," Pavlović explained. The Forward Conference is organized by the Innovation Center Banja Luka and the Ministry of Scientific-Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska, with partners including the Republika Srpska Agency for Information and Communication Technologies, the Digital Innovation Hub DIH IDEMO, and the German Agency for International Cooperation GIZ. The media sponsor of the Forward Conference is the Republika Srpska News Agency – SRNA. Launched in 2019, the Forward Conference has since established itself as one of the most prestigious events of its kind in BiH and the region, attracting more than 2,000 participants to date.