We live in a time when technology is developing faster than ever before, which is why the proper and safe use of artificial intelligence is no longer just an advantage, but is becoming a fundamental skill for citizens and public administration. However, in this dynamic environment of innovation, our resilience, readiness for lifelong learning, and an educational system that can follow and support these changes are equally important. These exact challenges and necessary steps for the future were discussed at the 8th Western Balkans Digital Summit, during a panel dedicated to digital skills and preparing society for the digital age.

The Science and Technology Park of Montenegro was pleased to be part of the panel, where our vision for ecosystem development was presented by the Executive Director, Valentina Radulović, MSc.

Reflecting on the challenges in education, Director Radulović emphasized that digital skills cannot be imparted to today’s generations in the same way as in the past. As many curricula remain static, the entire innovation ecosystem must take on a more active role. Universities are just one piece of the puzzle, and every actor in society must be aware of the new reality. In this context, she specifically highlighted the importance of different models of knowledge acquisition, with a special focus on micro-credentials, which have already become a global standard. Today, she explained, it is not efficient to spend an entire year learning just one programming language. It is much more useful to master smaller parts of different technologies and learn algorithmic thinking, so that these parts can later be successfully assembled into a larger whole. On this path, we must not forget the professors, who also need systemic support to change traditional ways of working. Although things in Montenegro are moving forward, our shared desire is for these changes to be even faster and more comprehensive in the near future.

The other eminent panel participants agreed that adapting to new technologies is inevitable and urgent. Milan Dobrijević, Head of the Group for Analysis and Planning of the Information Society at the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of Serbia, pointed out the incredible speed of development, noting that the artificial intelligence of just six months ago is no longer the same technology we encounter today. Branimir Bukilić, President of the Management Board of ICT Cortex and CEO of Data Design, shared this sentiment, emphasizing that by 2030, skills based on artificial intelligence will become an everyday reality and be all around us. Finally, Mark Vasić, Head of International Regulatory Affairs at Deutsche Telekom, concluded that artificial intelligence skills have today become extremely necessary and irreplaceable in all spheres of business.

At the end of the day, every innovative process comes down entirely to people and how creatively we use available tools to develop new business models and forms of communication. Therefore, it is crucial for every company to create a work environment that attracts the right talent and experts who look forward to working with advanced technologies. It is not enough to merely provide software; it is key to give employees the space, freedom, and conditions to seamlessly create and test their creative ideas. 

Through participation in such events and the active monitoring of global trends, the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro continues to be a place that encourages modern ways of learning and connects all actors in our ecosystem, so that we can jointly build a society truly ready for the digital future.