Presenting Hungary’s AI strategy at the University of Debrecen, László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, said Hungary intends to harness the possibilities inherent in technological change and maximize the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The strategy was prepared with the involvement of over 250 member organizations of Hungary’s AI Coalition and over a thousand experts identified focus areas and highlighted projects. Palkovics said Hungarian society and the economy need to be prepared on the basis of the strategy because “this technology is already here and we should try to use it”.

The minister highlighted Hungary’s participation in the development of self-driving vehicles, saying that the country has already achieved much in this area, including the construction of a test track, launching educational-research programs and setting up a research hub.

Among the areas that “simplify our everyday life”, he cited administrative tasks taken over by robot-like AI technology in post offices, government offices and bank customer services. AI is already also being used, for instance, to control irrigation in agriculture, he added. Palkovics said AI is expected to add 11-14 percent to Hungary’s GNP by 2030.

(MTI)