Programme: Programme "Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation"

The project GATE is a strategic initiative to create an CoE in Bulgaria, specializing in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The center aims to establish itself as a national and European leader in digital transformation by providing infrastructure and expertise for research in areas such as smart cities, digital health, smart industry and intelligent government. In the sustainability phase, the emphasis is on consolidating scientific results and applying them in the economy and society. The funding will be aimed at providing a modern research infrastructure, at strengthening the capacity of the team, and expanding it through attracting leading scientists and young talents, at growing the young researchers and at attracting additional investments. Research activities will also be implemented in the Future cities (3D city models and urban digital twins, simulations and visualizations), Intelligent government (detection of fake news), Digital health, Smart industry, Data spaces, explainable AI and Federated Machine Learning.
The project will stimulate the implementation of innovations in cooperation with businesses, government, city administration and academia in the four key areas that will have high added economic and social benefits.  The funding will allow not only the development of advanced technological solutions, but also the provisioning of sustainable scientific capacity, which will contribute to the development of innovation and technological progress in Bulgaria. The Centre will also play a key role in reducing regional imbalances, will be a driver for the smart transformation of the society, and will contribute to the achievement of strategic goals related to Smart Specialization and the Green Deal.
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" will implement the project through the Institute "Big Data for a Smart Society" (GATE Institute), which is a main unit of Sofia University under Art. 26b, paragraph 1 of the Law on Higher Education.