Ivan Vasilev has appointed an advisor who never sleeps and does not lobby
During “WEBIT 2026” in Sofia, Minister Vasilev personally asked the humanoid robot Robert: “Will you become my advisor?” Live from the stage of the technology conference, the first informal advisory council in Bulgaria, composed entirely of artificial intelligence, was launched
The Bulgarian Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ivan Vasilev launched the first informal advisory council in Bulgaria, composed entirely of robots powered by artificial intelligence. On the stage of the international conference “Webit 2026”, the minister directly addressed the humanoid robot Robert with the question “Will you become my advisor?”, to which the robot replied: “Thank you for the invitation. I am honored to join the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation. Your leadership at this moment of global change makes your position more important than ever. Artificial intelligence and robotics will affect every economic sector, and it is both our responsibility and a once-in-a-century opportunity to secure leading positions for Bulgaria.” With this, a completely new model of strategic thinking in the state’s work is outlined.
Robert is the first member of this new advisory council, but not the last, as the ministry is opening the door to other robots – artificial intelligence systems capable of joing the work of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation (MIDT) and contributing an informed and balanced perspective on the long-term issues facing the country. “We are starting with Robert, but I want this council to grow. That is why we are inviting other intelligent systems to become part of the ministry’s vision for the future,” stated Minister Vasilev.
The council is not intended to replace the ministry’s expert directorates, where people work. However, for the first time, Ministry is engaging in long-term strategic thinking with a “voice” that never gets tired, does not lobby for anyone, and has no reason to remain silent on uncomfortable questions.
“If the Ministry of Innovation does not experiment with new technologies, who should? And this will happen responsibly and intelligently, at the speed of business, not bureaucracy,” the minister added. He was categorical and reassured skeptics that he understands where the boundary lies and that final responsibility will remain human. “I am not looking for robots to govern the state. I am looking for technologies that help us think more clearly and more impartially,” he added.
The minister committed that he will always set the direction, while artificial intelligence will only assist with analysis, better questions, and guidance. Vasilev also established a principle that directly addresses the most common fear regarding such projects – the protection of personal data. Citizens’ data will not be used without protection and anonymization, because technological progress has no value without trust.
The new AI council will not have the right to make decisions or replace anyone. Its role is to expand the horizon, offer more viewpoints, and ask deeper questions. And if this experiment helps the state look one step further ahead, then it will have been successful.
At the international technology event “WEBIT 2026” at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, entrepreneurs, executives of leading companies and startups, representatives of institutions, the academic community, investors, and scientists are in attendance. Within the framework of the conference, topics related to digital transformation and the modernization of key economic sectors are being discussed. Opportunities for growth, investment, and competitiveness in the age of AI transformation are in the center of the dialog.
