Radev meets Google: $1 million for Sofia AI institute INSAIT

Prime Minister Rumen Radev met Google representatives on Thursday. According to BNT, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Aleksandar Pulev and Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev also attended. The talks covered closer cooperation in high technology, investment in digital infrastructure, digitalisation, competitiveness, cybersecurity and possible joint projects in the space industry.

Google announced a new $1 million grant to the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at Sofia University. The funding, combining direct support with Google Cloud computing credits, is meant to back work on a next generation of AI models. Priorities include AI for science and mathematics, robotics, Earth observation and technological sovereignty. Google has supported INSAIT since its founding in 2022, bringing its total backing to more than $7 million. “Our government is highly ambitious when it comes to achieving digital transformation,” Radev said, calling the country's human potential its greatest asset. Google Cloud Vice President Marianne Janik said the company greatly valued its cooperation with the Bulgarian government.