Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the global economy at an unprecedented speed. Where does Slovakia stand in this process? How prepared are our businesses for this technological revolution and what impact will AI have on their performance and competitiveness? The answers to these key questions are provided by the strategic project of the University of Economics in Bratislava (UEB) called AI-ImpactSK, which is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic.
The project, with the full title “Empirical investigation of the adoption of artificial intelligence and its impact on business performance, market dynamics and policymaking in the Slovak economy”, was launched nine months ago and is now entering a key phase of implementation. Its goal is not only academic analysis, but above all the creation of a solid data base that will help Slovak businesses and economic policymakers make informed and strategic decisions in the era of digitalization.
Why is this project important for Slovakia?
Artificial intelligence is no longer the music of the future – it is part of the processes that determine success in the market. "In order to effectively support innovation and the competitiveness of our economy, we need to know exactly where we are. We lack robust data on the extent to which Slovak companies use AI, what barriers they face, and what are the best practices that bring real results," explains Assoc. Prof. Ing. Nora Grisáková, PhD., leader of the project management and coordination work package. The AI-ImpactSK project was designed precisely to fill this gap.
Project in full swing: Nationwide data collection underway
After months of intensive preparations, the AI-ImpactSK project is in a crucial stage – the implementation of a nation-wide market survey and data collection. A team of experts from the University of Economics in Bratislava is actively reaching out to companies across key sectors of the economy in order to gain unique insights into their experiences with AI implementation.
“The outputs from this phase will provide us with invaluable insight into the real state of artificial intelligence use in Slovakia. This data will be the basis for all further analyses and recommendations,” adds Grisáková.
What will the future bring?
The collected data will undergo in-depth statistical analysis in the coming months, resulting in the segmentation of companies according to the level of AI adoption and the identification of success factors. However, the project does not end with numbers. Its main ambition is to translate the findings into practically usable outputs:
• For companies: Creation of a manual of best practices and guidelines that will help companies make strategic decisions about investments in AI technologies.
• For policymakers: Formulation of specific, data-based recommendations for policymaking that will effectively support digital transformation and the innovation ecosystem in Slovakia.
• For professionals and the general public: Organization of a series of publicly accessible webinars and workshops that will ensure the transfer of the latest knowledge into practice and raise awareness of the importance of AI.
The AI-ImpactSK project positions the University of Economics in Bratislava in the role of a key actor that not only analyzes current trends, but also actively shapes the future of the Slovak economy.
