Sofia has become the new European edtech hub and brought together nearly 200 participants from 15 countries, including representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD, innovators and researchers, to discuss what the education of the future will look like today – in the era of artificial intelligence, digital ecosystems and new social challenges. Empowering European EdTech and Erasmus+ Summit, which took place on November 4 in Sofia, is organized by EdTech Bulgaria in partnership with the Center for Human Resources Development (CHRD) and with the support of the European EdTech Alliance, Telelink Business Services, A1 Bulgaria, Microsoft and Schwarz IT Bulgaria.
“Our system is well organized, but the challenges are in functional literacy and motivation to learn. We need to break the culture of learning. There is no doubt that we are in the era of artificial intelligence, and while we talk about learning with this technology, it is even more important to talk about learning about artificial intelligence,” said Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education and Science, who opened the forum.
According to Antoaneta Angelova-Krasteva, Director of Innovation, Digital Education and International Cooperation at the Directorate-General for EAC at the European Commission, the question is not whether artificial intelligence and digital technologies will change education, as they already do. It is important to ensure that these changes will benefit students, teachers and society.
According to the executive director of the HRDC, Nikolay Spasov, digitalization is not just a technological goal, but a tool for equal access and fairer education.
According to Yanka Takeva, chairwoman of the Bulgarian Teachers’ Union, the emphasis should be on the need for systematic training of teaching staff and a closer connection between secondary and higher education, so that teachers can confidently enter the era of artificial intelligence.
During the forum, a number of projects in which Bulgaria participates were presented, such as: EmpowerED, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by European Schoolnet, which aims to unite national EdTech ecosystems and accelerate the implementation of innovations in education across Europe; TechWell, focused on digital well-being in schools; EdTech Innovators, which develops the entrepreneurial potential of young innovators, as well as various initiatives under UNESCO and Erasmus+, aimed at digital transformation, green education and social inclusion.
The forum was held in an innovative format to provoke real collaboration. In addition to the conference part, participants worked in small thematic groups focused on inclusive education, digital well-being, green practices, and digital sovereignty.
“What happened in Sofia is more than a conversation – it is the beginning of a collective movement. Bulgaria is becoming a bridge between Europe and the new era of learning – one in which technology serves people, and knowledge is shared to connect,” explained Albena Spasova, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of EdTech Bulgaria.
