Artificial intelligence specialists are among the most sought-after professionals in Europe, and Serbia is following this growing trend. The highest number of job advertisements in the region are in the field of information technology, despite the significant layoffs seen in this industry last year. This year also marks the certification of the first generation of artificial intelligence managers.
Two of the certified AI managers in Serbia, Miljan Radunović and Miljan Boričić, are among the top 12 professionals in the country with these qualifications. Radunović emphasizes the increasing demand for AI managers, noting that even a hundred such professionals would be too few. “Many companies talk about AI, but few know how to implement it practically. AI isn’t just about technology; its successful application in business requires understanding business processes, laws, and, importantly, knowing how AI can benefit a company,” Radunović explains.
Boričić provides an example of how AI can be used to improve businesses. “AI can be implemented in various forms, such as knowledge bases where employees can get quick answers from a chatbot. This is something that can significantly ease the workload in contact centers,” Boričić says.
However, the rise of AI will inevitably lead to the disappearance of millions of current jobs—around 75 million, in fact. The key to navigating this change is retraining.
Where is AI usage growing?
Predrag Nikolić, Director of the Digital Transformation Center at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, points out that businesses are realizing that digital transformation is not a choice but a necessity. “Through the Digital Transformation Center, we have implemented AI solutions in about 50 cases, with most of them being in the tourism and trade sectors,” Nikolić says.
The impact of AI on the labor market was also a central topic at last week’s summit in Paris, where leaders from Europe, the U.S., and China discussed its future. While Europe is focused on regulating and ensuring the ethical use of AI, the U.S. and China are leading the charge to develop this technology without clear regulations.
Stefan Badža, a member of the Serbian delegation at the AI summit in Paris, shared that, while there was initially a fear of AI, the attitude has shifted. “In recent years, there was significant fear of AI, but now it’s clear that its implementation won’t happen as quickly as anticipated. From the U.S. to smaller countries, everyone is eager to use AI as a driver of development and productivity. The concern, however, is that more advanced nations will pull further ahead of less developed ones,” Badža says.
A significant salary gap is also emerging, with AI specialists in Serbia earning between 60,000 and 110,000 euros annually, according to statistics.
