Montenegro has the potential to improve public services through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), but for successful implementation, additional investments in knowledge, skills and infrastructure are necessary, the first report on the assessment of public administration readiness for the application of AI has shown.
An assessment of the environment for the use of artificial intelligence in Montenegro (Artificial Intelligence Landscape Assessment - AILA), prepared using the methodology developed by the UNDP's Chief Digital Office, was presented today in Podgorica, organized by the Ministry of Public Administration (MPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
As announced by UNDP in Montenegro, the findings and recommendations of the presented AILA report, which was funded by the European Union (EU), will be the basis for the development and adoption of the first national AI Strategy, which will be adopted by the MPA.
"The AILA report provides a comprehensive analysis of the readiness of Montenegrin institutions for the ethical and strategic application of AI," said the UNDP.
The UN agency stated that the main advantages are basic digital infrastructure and increasing institutional awareness of the importance of innovation in public services.
"The report also points to a number of challenges, including the growing need to improve professional skills, strengthen inter-institutional connectivity, and establish a regulatory framework for the application of AI in public administration," the statement said.
UNDP said that it is recommended that special focus be placed on sectors in which Montenegro has competitive advantages, such as tourism and energy, but also on the field of environmental protection, while simultaneously strengthening the basic capacities and knowledge of public administration officials, as well as the general population.
"The assessment was conducted according to the UNDP methodology, which is applied in more than 30 countries around the world and enables data comparability, progress monitoring and exchange of experiences in the field of AI," the statement said.
The document, as stated by UNDP, includes an analysis of policies, institutional capacities, IT infrastructure, data quality and availability, as well as employee knowledge and skills.
Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj said that the MPA insists on the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, and that he sees this finding as material of exceptional importance for the achievement of development goals.
As he said, the AILA assessment offers a fundamental analysis of the current situation and clear guidelines for further work.
"It helps us understand where we are, what our strengths are, and what challenges lie ahead - from strengthening infrastructure and capacity, to ethical frameworks and data protection," said Dukaj.
He said that Montenegro, as a small country, has limited resources.
"But our strength lies in uniting all potentials, from all social sectors. Only through joint efforts can we harness the transformative potential of AI in a way that will bring concrete benefits to our citizens," said Dukaj.
UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, emphasized that technologies like AI must serve human development and strengthen equal opportunities for all.
"Today, as AI is increasingly used in all aspects of society, we have a unique opportunity to guide its development in line with the values of equality, transparency and sustainability," said Paniklova.
According to her, AI can become a powerful ally in achieving development goals, provided that technology is put at the service of people.
Paniklova pointed out that, through tools like AILA, UNDP supports the Government in steering digital transformation in a direction that empowers people and their achievements, rather than replacing them with automation.
"Support for the process of establishing and implementing AI tools in the public sector and the academic community will also be provided by the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, as emphasized by Executive Director Valentina Radulović at today's event," the statement said.
It is stated that the AILA report comes at a time when AI is at the center of European and global development debates, and Montenegro is working on harmonization with EU legislation in this area.
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