Page 143 - Izobraževanje v dobi generativne umetne inteligence

Comparative Analysis of AI Regulation in Education Across Western Balkan Countries

Educational institutions may be categorized as either public (state) or private.
Public institutions receive funding primarily from the state budget, utilizing
an input-based funding system. Private institutions do not obtain public fun-
ding. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Vojvodina authorities,
regulates the establishment of educational institutions. The accreditation
process is consistent across all educational levels, requiring higher education
institutions to secure accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation
and Quality Assurance prior to receiving a license from the Ministry.
The educational system consists of Early Childhood Education and Care,
Basic Education (encompassing primary and lower secondary education),
Secondary Education, and Higher Education. Basic education and prepara-
tory preschool programs are obligatory and provided at no cost, whereas
secondary education is offered free of charge but is not mandatory. Access to
higher education is available to all citizens on equal terms.
Serbia is rapidly advancing in AI development and regulation. A new Law
on Artificial Intelligence is being drafted, expected by spring 2025, alongsi-
de a national AI development strategy for 2024–2030. These efforts build on
the existing AI Development Strategy (2020–2025), which aligns with Euro-
pean Commission policies, and aim to promote the safe, sustainable use of
AI across sectors like education, the economy, and public services. Ethical AI
guidelines were introduced in 2023 to address risks and safeguard individual
freedoms. Serbia ranks 57th in the AI Readiness Index and plays a prominent
role in the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI). The country has robust AI infra-
structure, including a National AI Platform, a supercomputer, and an AI rese-
arch institute supporting advancements in various fields. AI-focused events,
such as the Data Science Conference, highlight Serbia’s growing importance
in the global AI ecosystem.34
In 2019, the Serbian government adopted the AI Development Strategy
for the period 2020-2025. Through a dedicated project, the UNDP actively
supports the government’s ambitious agenda in this field, which includes ini-
tiatives such as establishing an Institute for Artificial Intelligence and adop-
ting Ethical Guidelines for responsible AI development. This underscores the
need for continuous dialogue on the opportunities and risks posed by this
rapidly evolving technology.
In order to advance and apply AI technology in public administration, aca-
demic research, and the broader Serbian industry, as well as to support start-

34 https://www.schoenherr.eu/content/ai-regulation-and-development-in-serbia#:
~:text=Serbia's%20AI%20ecosystem&text=The%20National%20AI%20Platform%2C
%20within,access%20to%20advanced%20computing%20resources.

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