Serbian software industry experts are emphasizing the importance of embracing cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to meet evolving client demands. They advocate for the government to bolster the digital transformation of the economy through accessible loans and ongoing entrepreneurial education.
Nortal, a company responsible for creating 60-70% of the Estonian government’s digital platforms, is at the forefront of this technological wave. Milan Simić, Nortal’s country manager, explains that they are leveraging the latest technologies. “We were tasked with developing the AI platform Tark amidst a significant technological shift towards generative AI. This required us to swiftly adapt to emerging trends before practical applications for various industries had even materialized. This process taught us a great deal about the challenges we need to address,” Simić stated, as reported by the Digital Serbia Initiative.
Simić highlights the benefits of international experience, which can be leveraged domestically. “Our IT clients predominantly operate in more advanced markets, where the problems and topics we address offer a glimpse into the future, forecasting challenges that will soon be relevant locally. Recently, we digitalized one of the world’s largest steel mills, transitioning their operational processes to the cloud using sensor technology,” Simić noted.
Harness, a startup focused on enhancing software delivery through AI, is another key player in this space. According to software engineer Enver Biševac, the company began implementing innovative machine learning solutions early on to streamline their daily operations. “We initially developed software to meet the needs of our DevOps engineers, but as different software modules gained popularity, clients began expressing interest in our solutions. We soon realized we could help them automate their processes too,” Biševac explained. He underscored that such innovations are crucial for bridging the traditional and IT industries, thus strengthening the economy.
Aleksandar Milinčić, managing director of Vega IT, emphasized the role of the government in this transformative process. “Favorable loan terms and continuous education for entrepreneurs can significantly stimulate digital transformation. However, it’s essential for both parties to work together to create opportunities for partnerships. The traditional economy needs to understand that the IT sector is not just a service provider but can be a vital partner in business development,” Milinčić stressed.
