A new World Bank report provides a comprehensive roadmap for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Bulgaria’s primary and secondary education systems, highlighting both progress and critical gaps in digital readiness. Conducted between April and June 2025, the study analyzed the country’s EdTech landscape, evaluated AI readiness, and offered actionable recommendations for policymakers to ensure equitable, scalable, and effective adoption of AI tools.
Albena Spassova, Chair of the Board of EdTech Bulgaria, served as a consultant in the development of the report. The analysis highlights key projects and organizations within Bulgaria’s EdTech ecosystem, many of which are members of EdTech Bulgaria.
Dynamic EdTech Growth, Persistent Gaps
The report identifies a thriving but developing EdTech ecosystem in Bulgaria. International platforms such as Khan Academy BG and Ucha.se coexist with local innovations like the Bulgarian-language AI model BgGPT and initiatives such as the INSAIT-led “AI Factory.” Government investments, including the distribution of devices and the introduction of the Digital Backpack to track learning paths, provide a foundation for nationwide AI integration.
Despite these gains, systemic gaps remain. Teacher capacity in AI and digital skills is uneven, and inequities in infrastructure and digital literacy persist, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Moreover, while Bulgaria has articulated ambitious AI policies—such as the National AI Concept (2020–2030) and the AI in Education Action Plan (2025–2029)—practical implementation is limited by fragmented coordination and insufficient long-term funding.
Key Takeaways
- High-Level Strategy, Early Implementation: Bulgaria has developed robust AI strategies, but classroom readiness lags behind policy ambition. While over 70% of teachers report familiarity with AI, training remains inconsistent.
- Dual Adoption Approach: Students and educators use both global tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google platforms) and local solutions, highlighting adaptability but also challenges in scaling and measuring impact.
- Equity and Systemic Gaps: Access disparities, low advanced digital literacy, and curriculum limitations risk widening educational divides if targeted interventions are not sustained.
Strategic Recommendations
To accelerate AI adoption and ensure equitable outcomes, the report presents five key recommendations:
Recommendation 1: Establish a National Governance Framework for AI in Education
- Develop a national AI in Education roadmap with clear objectives and KPIs.
- Create a centralized inter-ministerial Task Force for oversight, alignment with EU AI regulations, and progress monitoring.
- Formalize ethics and data protection standards to guide AI use in schools.
Recommendation 2: Ensure Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
- Secure continuous funding for devices and professional development.
- Expand universal, high-speed connectivity, especially in underserved areas.
- Provide centralized access to advanced AI resources, including computing and learning analytics tools.
Recommendation 3: Launch a National Teacher Training Program in AI
- Deliver career-long AI upskilling via online courses, summer academies, and workshops.
- Integrate AI literacy into pre-service teacher education and certification.
- Empower “AI Champion” teachers to mentor peers and foster a national AI teaching community.
Recommendation 4: Launch an “AI for All” Initiative for Equitable Adoption
- Bridge the digital divide by providing devices, connectivity, and support to marginalized communities.
- Promote accessible AI tools for students with disabilities.
- Engage parents and communities in AI literacy and co-creation of school-level policies.
Recommendation 5: Establish an AI in Education Research Ecosystem
- Catalyze homegrown innovation via school-university-startup collaborations and pilot projects.
- Create an evidence-to-policy feedback loop by rigorously evaluating AI tool impact on learning outcomes.
- Leverage global collaborations and align with international standards from UNESCO and OECD.
Looking Ahead
The report concludes that Bulgaria is in an emergent stage of AI readiness, having moved beyond fragmented pilots into strategic, systemic implementation. To fully realize AI’s transformative potential, the nation must invest in teacher capacity, sustainable infrastructure, equity-focused initiatives, and a research ecosystem that connects innovation with policy.
With these steps, Bulgaria aims to harness AI to improve learning outcomes, support teachers, and ensure that every student—regardless of location or socio-economic status—benefits from the digital transformation of education.
The report can be downloaded for free from this link.
