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The International Scientific Conference 'Economic Transformations in the Global World' has started with a focus on artificial intelligence
20 June 2025
Prof. Dr. Anton Grozdanov
The International Scientific Conference 'Economic Transformations in the Global World' started today at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. The forum, organized by the Faculty of Social Economic and Computer Sciences, brings together scientists, lecturers, doctoral and university students from Bulgaria, Europe, Asia and Africa within a two-day academic programme dedicated to current processes in management, economics, digital transformation and psychology.
The conference was opened by Prof. Dr. Anton Grozdanov - Dean of the Faculty of Social Economic and Computer Sciences. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eleonora Tankova - Deputy Rector for Institutional Cooperation and Development of Varna Free University welcomed the participants and guests. She emphasized the importance of international scientific partnership and the role of the university as an open academic space for ideas, innovations and scientific dialogue.
The opening highlight of the forum was the plenary report of Prof. Dr. Teodora Bakardzhieva on the topic 'Artificial Intelligence – the New Reality in Universities, Science and Business: How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Rules of the Game'. In her speech, she outlined the new challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence poses to the academic and professional environment. According to Prof. Bakardzhieva, AI is not just a technological tool, but a catalyst for cultural and institutional change, which changes the roles, processes and boundaries in higher education, scientific research and management models. She emphasized the need for new regulations, critical literacy and interdisciplinary strategies with which universities can adequately respond to the speed and depth of these transformations.
The conference continues with reports and discussions on three main areas – management transformations in conditions of uncertainty, international competitiveness of the economy and digital processes and artificial intelligence. Participants in the programme are representatives of universities and scientific institutions from Poland, Finland, China, Lebanon, Nigeria, Israel and Cameroon, as well as from key Bulgarian higher education institutions.
In parallel, the conference 'Applied Psychology and Social Practice' is being held, organized by the Department of Psychology, within which nearly 40 scientific reports will be presented and key topics in the fields of education, clinical practice, and security will be examined.
