Five Reasons Why You Should Attend AI Tech Summit
The world is at a turning point where artificial intelligence (AI) and technology lay the foundation for the next industrial revolution. From healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail, AI and technological innovations are transforming existing industrial landscapes and driving waves of innovation that were previously unimaginable. In light of these dynamic changes, the AI Tech Summit has become an indispensable event for every professional seeking to explore the latest solutions in the field of artificial intelligence, regardless of their industry. This event not only provides an opportunity to learn about the latest technological advancements but also offers a platform to hear from inspirational leaders in the industry who will share their experiences and visions with you. Below, we present five key reasons why you shouldn’t miss the AI Tech Summit taking place this September in Skopje. 1. Focus on Ethical Issues and Governance As the concept of artificial intelligence has become a part of our daily lives, there is growing concern about ethical issues and governance in the public sphere. Many believe that this phenomenon will entirely reshape the world as we know it, becoming an indispensable part of our functioning. Consequently, some of the unavoidable questions that each of us asks relate to ethical standards in AI governance: “Will this compromise my privacy? How secure are my data? Can artificial intelligence pose a threat to our existence?” At the AI Tech Summit, you will gain deeper insights into the importance of ethical principles and proper governance in the field of artificial intelligence. It will explore how AI technology can be used while adhering to ethical norms, how we can ensure that its benefits are harnessed for the betterment of society and individuals, and what the greatest ethical challenges in AI technology are. If you want answers to these questions and many others, the AI Tech Summit is the right place for you. 2. Revolution in the Financial Industry The financial industry is one of the sectors that has undergone significant transformations thanks to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. At the AI Tech Summit, you will have a unique opportunity to explore how this sector is being transformed through innovations and technological advancements brought about by artificial intelligence. One of the most striking ways AI influences the financial industry is by improving decision-making processes. AI-based systems analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that would be hard to discern with the human eye. At the AI Tech Summit, you will learn how these systems contribute to faster and more precise decision-making, enhancing the overall operations of financial organizations. Leaders from the AI industry will share their insights and experiences at the summit, providing concrete examples of how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of this sector. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into the revolutionary ways in which artificial intelligence is integrated into the daily operations of financial institutions and systems. 3. Business Optimization Through Data One of the key advantages of artificial intelligence is its capacity to learn from data. At the summit, you will discover how AI technology employs deep learning processes for continuous improvement. In today’s digital age, organizations generate vast amounts of data every day. At the AI Tech Summit, you will learn how this data can be leveraged as a valuable resource for developing innovative strategies and business models. Artificial intelligence enables you to deeply analyze this data, uncover hidden patterns and regularities, and make better-informed decisions based on that analysis. 4. Generative Artificial Intelligence: Innovating Engineering and Manufacturing Design In the fields of engineering and manufacturing, we are constantly searching for new ways to enhance efficiency, optimize processes, and develop innovative products. At the AI Tech Summit, doors are opened to the world of generative artificial intelligence, an aspect of AI technology that brings revolutionary changes to these areas. Through practical examples, you will discover how organizations use generative artificial intelligence to create groundbreaking products and solutions. From machine parts to architectural concepts, generative AI opens new horizons for innovation, enabling faster and more efficient development of new ideas. 5. Co-evolution of Artificial Intelligence and Humans: Partnering for Human Advancement In a world of ubiquitous technology and rapid technological progress, the relationship between artificial intelligence and the human race has become increasingly relevant. At the AI Tech Summit, you will have the opportunity to learn how artificial intelligence can co-evolve with humans to achieve greater progress and improvements in various aspects of society. As technology, including artificial intelligence, becomes increasingly sophisticated, questions arise about how best to harness its power in line with human values and needs. At the AI Tech Summit, you will discover how human creativity and imagination can be combined with the technical capabilities of artificial intelligence. Through this co-evolution, a new paradigm is created where technology supports human efforts in innovation and solving complex problems. Note: Less than 50 tickets remain on sale The AI Tech Summit will take place in North Macedonia, in Skopje, from September 29 to 30, 2023, organized by TBM Group, a leading European company specializing in organizing world-renowned conferences. We are pleased to be a partner of this event as ICT Cortex, providing our members with special discounts for membership and sponsorship packages. By attending the AI Tech Summit, you will have the opportunity to connect with leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence, including professionals from companies such as Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Boston Consulting, and many others. You will learn about the latest trends and applications of technology and contribute to shaping the future with an ethical and responsible approach to AI technology. If you are interested in this event, you can find more information and tickets on the website www.techsummit.ai. Author: Stefan Blecic
Meet Our Member: DigitalBee
As a cluster currently comprising 45 member companies, we continuously work on introducing our community to our members and the latest developments. From now on, you can expect the introduction of one of our members every week, accompanied by the projects they are currently working on. To kick things off, we’d like to introduce you to DigitalBee. DigitalBee was founded in 2019 with a clear mission – to develop competencies crucial for success in the digital age. What’s it all about? Digital skills, emotional intelligence, and creativity – these are the core components that DigitalBee nurtures through its unique proprietary program called “Beyond Coding.” However, this is not just another program; it’s a journey that inspires and shapes children and teenagers, providing them with tools and confidence to face the new challenges of the digital era. Shortly after its inception, DigitalBee was recognized as the premier place for developing the competencies needed for children’s success in the digital age. In 2021, this company became a licensed educational institution, injecting a breath of fresh air into Montenegro’s education system with its creative approach. Offering two adult education programs, “Database Basics” and “Digital Marketing“, DigitalBee is not merely following the trends of digital transformation but is becoming a key driver of those trends. In the following text, we will delve deeper into the journey that DigitalBee has undertaken and discover how they have contributed to the development of education in Montenegro. Transforming Children and Adults into Digital Creators Our interviewees and founders of DigitalBee, Valentina Radulović and Jasna Pejović, proudly state that what sets their company apart is a comprehensive approach to children’s education, which, in their words, is unique in the region: “Our ‘Beyond Coding’ programs are designed so that learning programming takes center stage, while carefully designed additional content exercises emotional intelligence and creative thinking competencies. These courses transform participants into creators in the digital world.” These educational programs are intended for children aged five to sixteen. According to our interviewees, the youngest participants enter the world of programming by developing algorithmic thinking without screens, using age-appropriate robots. On the other hand, older participants learn programming using languages like Scratch, Python, JavaScript, and App Inventor. What makes this program unique is that very serious skills are learned exclusively through play, making classes both interesting and useful experiences for children. Furthermore, DigitalBee offers courses for adults with the aim of improving their skills and acquiring new ones to help them find their career path in the new digital age: “Database Basics’ and ‘Digital Marketing’ programs are designed for adults who want to master competencies that will help them in their jobs, find additional or new engagements, or start and manage their businesses.” Out of over a thousand participants, successful students and innovators have emerged Regarding DigitalBee’s achievements, Jasna and Valentina attribute their greatest successes to the achievements of their participants: “So far, over 1000 children have gone through our ‘Beyond Coding’ programs. Most of them are now successful students and high school students, with a significant number of our participants winning awards in programming and robotics competitions. Many of our participants have told us that the competencies and skills they have acquired in our programs have helped them resolve conflicts with peers or better present their ideas. In our classrooms, friendships are formed that last beyond classes, which in itself represents a special kind of success. All of these are achievements that bring us joy and motivation to approach each new generation with the same dedication and introduce new programs and content. Knowledge empowers us and gives us freedom, and we are here to help our participants acquire important and current competencies.” Furthermore, they added that they are proud of the fact that participants in the adult programs use the acquired skills in their work environments, develop their businesses, or create additional sources of income using the knowledge they have gained. Become a Change Maker: Applications Are Open If you plan to join DigitalBee’s education programs and become part of a community that actively shapes the future in the digital world, now is the right time to apply for one of the open programs. For those interested in adult programs, note that they are held several times a year, allowing you to join when it suits you best. On the other hand, programs designed for children, known as “Beyond Coding,” start at the beginning of the school year – in September and February. This is an opportunity for the youngest to start their journey into the digital world in the right way and master digital technologies instead of the other way around. For all information about educational programs, we recommend visiting their website, where your first step towards the future in the digital world awaits you. Become a part of one of DigitalBee’s education programs and be ready to become a change-maker! Apply now. Author: Stefan Blecic
Join DMZCON 2023, the International Cyber Security Conference taking place in Podgorica this year
DMZCON 2023 is an international conference focused on cyber security and will be held in Montenegro for the first time from September 28th to October 3rd. With over 50 speakers from the field of information security, the conference program offers three parallel tracks with comprehensive reports, roundtable discussions, and technical workshops. The conference is strongly oriented towards business networking and knowledge sharing among renowned experts in the Cyber Security field. DMZCON is known for its distinguished speakers and experts coming from reputable companies and countries worldwide, such as the USA, Finland, India, Poland, Israel, as well as local speakers from Montenegro. The conference website provides a list of confirmed speakers, while the announcement of additional speakers can be expected in the coming weeks. The agenda and details are available on the official conference website. The conference is organized by Montenegrin IT cluster ICT Cortex, DMZ Labs, and RST Cloud with Netokracija as the media sponsor in Croatia. The organizing team invites all interested parties to join this international conference and actively participate in the rich program that awaits all attendees. Moreover with respect to local companies DMZCON organisers decided to extend early bird period until September 1 (for balkan-native companies) offering 1 ticket + 1 gratis.
Members of ICT Cortex and the Čini Dobro Foundation donated tablets for the most distinguished students
Milatović emphasized that from the position of the President, he will appeal to relevant institutions and all social actors to create incentives for diligent, exemplary, and dedicated individuals and recognize their potential, thereby building a society on solid foundations President Jakov Milatović hosted a reception at Villa Gorica for distinguished students and the top graduates of high schools for the academic year 2022/2023. As announced by the President’s Office, Milatović stated that the reception will become a tradition, as a clear sign that effort and dedication in the field of education should not go unnoticed and unrecognized by the state. “Do not wait until you grow up to realize the significance of the moment you are in because a spectrum of opportunities lies ahead of you to earn much greater recognition for your talents and creativity than what brought you here today. Always be aware of the value you bring to Montenegro and the world, with your ability to make a difference and influence our common future. Although young, proudly represent the positive values from the tradition of our country and do not forget that unity, solidarity, and trust yield the most noticeable results“, said Milatović. He emphasized that from the position of the President, he will appeal to relevant institutions and all social actors to create incentives for diligent, exemplary, and dedicated individuals and recognize their potential, thereby building a society on solid foundations. “At your age, when you are at the crossroads between the adult world and childhood, I wish for you to remain curious, unwavering in your ambitions, to strive for excellence, and not allow anything to deviate you from the path of realizing your dreams. I do not doubt that in the coming years, you will further improve and work on self-development, and we will have the opportunity to meet again and celebrate your successes. Remain the best and be devoted to Montenegro because it needs you“, said Milatović. As a gift for their achievements, he presented vouchers for tablet devices to the top 62 high school students. “The devices are donated by ICT Cortex – the cluster for information technology, innovation, education, design, and technological development of Montenegro, and its members Čikom, Sky Sat, and Sky Express, as well as the “Čini dobro” Foundation. In addition to tablet donations, all students will have access to approximately 30 premium courses on the Cortex Academy platform, as well as 50 best-selling books in the fields of marketing, design, programming, project management, and technology,” stated the President’s Office. The content has been taken from the website Vijesti.me
“Visit Village” Wins First Prize in Health Tourism Hackathon
The team “Visit Village” has won the main prize at the hackathon dedicated to rural and health tourism, held in collaboration with the Innovation Entrepreneurship Center Technopolis, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, the Science and Technology Park, and ICT Cortex, organized by the Ministry of Health under the theme “Discovering the Potential of Health Tourism in Montenegro.” The University of Singidunum team secured second place, while third place was shared between the WellBeing and ZdravCom teams. Speaking about the significance of organizing this event for the Ministry of Health, which, for the first time in Montenegro, was held in this format with a focus on health tourism, Luka Đukanović, the General Director of the Directorate for Projects (IPA), Innovation, and Health Tourism at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the hackathon provided an opportunity to hear and develop innovative ideas to improve the promotion of Montenegro as an attractive destination for the development of health tourism. “Montenegro truly abounds in natural potentials for the development of health tourism, which have not been fully utilized thus far. One of the key reasons for this is the insufficient collaboration between public administration, the economy, and the scientific research community. As we aim to develop high-level health tourism, we must strengthen this collaboration. The Ministry of Health will continue to work on developing ideas in the field of health tourism and creating a better business environment to motivate the economy to invest more in this area. Of course, the role of the scientific research community is essential for providing scientific confirmation of these potentials and creating innovative services in this field.“ LUKA ĐUKANOVIĆ Expressing the expectation that this event will encourage everyone to make greater efforts and effectively utilize what Montenegro has to offer, Đukanović thanked the Ministry of Health’s partners in organizing the hackathon: ICT Cortex, Technopolis, the UNDP Office in Podgorica, the Innovation Fund, and the Science and Technology Park. Mladen Kandić, HR Manager for Education, stated that the hackathon’s theme was to create innovative software solutions to improve the promotion of services in the field of health tourism, with the goal of positioning Montenegro as an attractive tourist destination in the field of health tourism by identifying organizations providing services in this area, as well as natural resources that can be utilized. He mentioned that 12 teams participated in the hackathon, and the pre-selection jury, based on predetermined criteria, selected five teams that entered the final phase of the competition for a prize fund of 10,000 euros, provided by the Ministry of Health through the project “Strengthening the Health System of Montenegro” in collaboration with UNDP.
Numbers confirm: IT has the potential to become a strategic sector for the development of Montenegro
The potential of the IT industry is receiving increasing public attention, and Montenegro is becoming an important country for IT investments. The actual extent of this potential was demonstrated by the numbers presented at today’s press conference organized by ICT Cortex and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, where the results of an ICT research study were presented. Montenegro is experiencing growth in the ICT sector in terms of the number of companies, employees, as well as revenues and profits. This was shown by the analysis of the IT sector in Montenegro conducted by the consulting firm “CEED Consulting” for the needs of the ICT Cortex cluster, under the auspices of the Reconomy program. One particularly interesting finding from the research is that the export of computer services increased to a record 21% in 2022, compared to only 3% in 2017. “The growth in the number of companies has been influenced by the war in Ukraine. Despite the crisis, the IT sector is experiencing growth in all observed parameters, and the IT industry has also seen revenue growth. The analysis showed that companies are facing a shortage of qualified workforce,” said Jovana Vujačić from the company “CEED Consulting.” Among the 70 surveyed companies, the following interesting data stand out: Nina Drakić, the President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, stated that, in addition to tourism, agriculture, and energy, the IT sector is recognized as a strategic sector. “The IT sector had the highest growth last year, which indicates its potential,” said Drakić. Statistics show that the number of registered companies in the ICT sector has been steadily increasing on an annual basis. In the previous year, 1,497 companies were registered, and from the beginning of this year until April, 313 companies have been registered. “In the last five years, the structure of the ICT sector has changed. Statistics show that the IT sector accounts for 84% of the ICT sector. Compared to other sectors, the ICT sector deserves to be a priority economic branch,” said Nada Rakočević, Secretary of the Committee of Information and Communication Technology Associations within the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. She further highlighted key figures, pointing out a nearly 70% increase in the number of companies and a 44% increase in employment. The ICT Cortex cluster announced that revenues in the ICT industry reached 602.432.407 million euros last year. “Net profit increased by over 100% compared to 2019. With the growth of ICT companies, the number of employees also increased by 30% last year compared to 2021,” said Milena Aković from the ICT Cortex cluster. She emphasized the need to highlight the significance and potential of the IT industry, which should become a strategic sector. Vladan Tabaš, the CEO of Čikom company and the President of the Board of Directors of ICT Cortex, stated that the IT sector is growing rapidly, but the level of digital transformation in society is not satisfactory. “IT has advanced to a great extent, but the digital transformation in Montenegro is slow. We are entering the digital world, and perhaps the turning point was the COVID-19 pandemic. The obstacle is our educational system, which does not provide the necessary workforce. We need skilled professionals, and therefore, we appeal for significant changes in Montenegro’s educational system,” said Tabaš.
Cortex analyzes the ICT industry, achieves record numbers
Based on the ICT analysis and research conducted by CEED Consulting, we can conclude that the ICT sector is one of the fastest-growing, at least in the context of Montenegro. This is evident from the rapid increase in the number of companies involved in this activity, their impressive financial revenues, and the growing interest of people in our community in this field. ICT Cortex, a cluster with a primary focus on education, internationalization, and digital transformation, has analyzed the business performance of the Montenegrin ICT sector. The criteria for ranking success were total revenues, net results, the number of employees, and the number of companies. An important contribution to the analysis was made by the research conducted by the consulting company CEED Consulting. Additionally, BI Consulting, with its portal BInfo.me, was a significant source of data on specific industry codes. ICT Sector in Montenegro This analysis covered 1,049 companies that were part of the Montenegrin ICT sector in 2022 alone. However, to make the analysis comprehensive, the period from 2019 to 2022 was considered, tracking the trends of growth or decline in the three specific groupings of the ICT sector: IT services and products, telecommunications, and trade of IT equipment. Regarding the revenues generated in the ICT field during the previous year, the figures were more than impressive. The total revenue for the ICT sector in 2022 amounted to as much as 602 million euros, which is 23 percent higher than in 2021. The majority of the revenue comes from the telecommunications sector, followed by IT services and products, and trade of IT equipment. Net earnings have also significantly increased over the past four years, with a growth rate of 102 percent compared to 2019. Some of the companies that particularly stood out in terms of revenue in the previous period and made significant contributions to the revenue growth in the Montenegrin ICT sector are M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, One, Kodio, Comtrade, and Coinis. Below, you can see the individual contributions of each of the mentioned areas to the information and communication technology sector. IT Services and Products Regarding the IT sector, we analyzed 725 companies actively operating in the local and international markets. The largest number of these companies are engaged in computer programming and consulting activities in the field of information technology, while specialized areas such as computer game development and software publishing are represented in a smaller number. It is worth noting that this field has seen a significant increase in the number of companies, with a growth rate of 46 percent compared to 2021 and a remarkable 109 percent compared to 2019. Companies in the IT services and products sector have made the most progress in the past four years when considering parameters such as total revenue, net results, and the number of employees. Total revenues increased by 45 percent compared to 2021, net results increased by 87 percent, and compared to 2019, the same parameter increased by an impressive 450 percent. The number of employees adequately follows the revenue growth, as indicated by the fact that over 3,400 workers have been employed in the IT products and services sector, which is 61 percent more than the previous year and a remarkable 161 percent increase compared to four years ago. When looking at the specific specialization, the largest number of companies are engaged in computer programming and IT consulting activities. Some of the companies that achieved the best results are Epam Systems Montenegro, Domen, Data Design, Čikom, and Logate. Telecommunications In the field of telecommunications, we analyzed 66 companies operating in our market. Over 60 percent of them are registered under the activity code “other telecommunications activities,” while a smaller number are involved in satellite and wireless communications, as well as cable telecommunications. Here, we have a slightly different picture compared to the IT sector. The growth rate of the number of companies over the past four years is only 1.5 percent, indicating that the telecommunications sector is relatively stable, with few changes in the number of firms in the previous period, averaging 64. Companies in the telecommunications sector have traditionally continued to generate impressive revenues. However, these revenues do not show significant fluctuations like those observed in the IT sector. The total revenue of Montenegrin companies engaged in telecommunications activities amounted to 266 million euros, which is nearly six percent higher than in 2019. Net results also did not experience significant growth, with an increase of less than 2 percent compared to 2021 and a decrease of nearly 17 percent compared to four years ago, indicating that the overall profit in this sector was significantly higher in 2019 than it is today. The three traditional telecommunications providers operating in our market, namely M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, and ONE, achieved the best results in this field. Significant results were also achieved by companies such as Telemach, Ericsson AB, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, and Network Communication. The total number of employees in this sector is 1,973, with as much as 65 percent of them employed in the three leading companies in the telecommunications sector (M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, and ONE). This number is nearly 14 percent higher than in 2019. Trade of Computer Equipment Regarding the sector related to the trade of computer equipment, it should be highlighted that the total revenue in 2022 amounted to nearly 121 million euros, which is 33 percent higher than the previous year. Compared to 2019, this represents a 54 percent increase, while net profit for the same period has increased by 107 percent, reaching almost 6 million euros. The majority of companies in this field are primarily engaged in the wholesale trade of computers, computer equipment, and software, while a smaller number focus on the retail trade of telecommunications equipment, audio, and video equipment, as well as the wholesale trade of electronic and telecommunications parts. The number of employees in this sector increased by 16 percent in the previous year, reaching 664, which is a significant advancement, especially
Montenegrin AI Association – MAIA: From Data Science to Practical Applications
Applications Our goal is to raise people’s awareness about artificial intelligence, and we are delighted to have seen a large number of AI enthusiasts at our MeetUps who want to learn, educate themselves, and advance in this field, or to inform themselves about ways in which they can improve their businesses. One of the most significant topics of today that is slowly but surely becoming an essential part of our lives is artificial intelligence. We spoke with representatives of the Montenegrin AI Association – MAIA, now an honorary member of the ICT cluster Cortex, Itana, and Nikola Bulatović, whose organization aims to research, promote, and implement artificial intelligence in everyday life. Artificial intelligence represents an inexhaustible source of possibilities for improving our world, and MAIA focuses on finding ways in which this technology can enhance people’s lives in our community. The members of this organization have established themselves as leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, and their innovative approach enables the creation of a new paradigm in this area. Learn about how MAIA was created, what their views on artificial intelligence are, what challenges they face, what impact artificial intelligence will have on our daily functioning and many other useful pieces of information related to this topic in the following text. From a spontaneous idea to concrete action When asked how they came up with the idea to establish an organization whose focus is on researching and implementing artificial intelligence, Nikola emphasizes that the initiative came about in a fairly spontaneous way: “Given that we are engaged in similar research topics, we came up with the idea of uniting the AI (artificial intelligence) community in Montenegro. Our acquaintances with colleagues who are very successful in artificial intelligence research contributed to this, and we decided to start by gathering a small number of people and founding an NGO whose topic would be the development of this field.“ According to our interlocutors, at the very beginning, they focused on building the AI community. Their Slack group gathered a significant number of members in a very short period, who engaged in artificial intelligence, which also contributed to the inclusion of people from different spheres who began to give numerous ideas and suggestions, which was essentially the goal: to unify the AI community under one roof. Artificial intelligence development: “a kind of magic” that has existed for over 40 years As for the concept of artificial intelligence itself, our interlocutors state that it does not represent “some kind of magic“, but that there are scientific research and methods that can be used to prove whether a particular AI system has provided a solution to a specific question. Artificial intelligence as a science has been developing for decades and is by no means a new field. According to them, the revolutionary advancement of AI is thanks to the long-term accelerated progress of electronic computer chips and computer hardware, as well as working environments with which we can easily experiment with algorithms for processing large amounts of data: “The current breakthrough of artificial intelligence has been built up over the past fifty years. The neural networks we use today were created in the 1990s, but could not be applied in practical applications because we did not have computers on which we could run an artificial intelligence system designed for widespread use. Due to the development of computer technology and the expansion of the large amount of data we generate on a daily basis, it was not until 2010 and later that conditions were created for artificial intelligence to become applicable. Only then do we have the opportunity to program artificial intelligence algorithms without having to use supercomputers. Thanks to all of the above, we now have tools that can process large amounts of information much faster, more efficiently, and meaningfully than we could before. Instead of processing a huge amount of data that someone had to analyze manually or using a computer, we can now replace the entire process with an AI algorithm that will analyze the data and extract useful information from it without the need for human intervention“, said Nikola. The concept of AI is not so complicated, as Itana explains, emphasizing that the entire concept of artificial intelligence can be defined simply as the science of data: “People who are typically engaged in this activity will simply say “data science“, which means the science of data, machine learning, or some other form of learning. The fact is that the mention of artificial intelligence opens up a variety of different debates. We can view this phenomenon as an umbrella, under which fall machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, recommendation systems, and all other areas that can contribute with their data.” Focus on education and application of artificial intelligence In addition to wanting to gather people with similar interests and contribute to the development of the aforementioned phenomenon, Itana and Nikola particularly emphasize that in the near future, they will focus on organizing educational programs, MeetUps, and conferences that will be accessible and, as they believe, beneficial to the wider community. Additionally, one of the focuses of their future activities will also be on scientific research with specific projects as their topic: “None of us is an expert who knows everything absolutely, but we are here to learn from each other, which was ultimately one of our main goals. Of course, new focuses are added for the next period, such as expanding our community, organizing events of various types, research, and so on. Also, one of our priorities, which we cannot currently realize, but hope to achieve in a few years, is scientific research on concrete projects, where our engineers and scientists can work on practical applications. Primarily, we would like it to be in Montenegro, meaning that we would like to implement some of the AI solutions that would improve life in our community. Precisely because most of us come from the world of science, we would like to apply the knowledge
The first ICT Cortex Football Tournament
In Podgorica, on February 25th, the first ICT Cortex Football Tournament was held in collaboration with the IT company First Line Software. The main goal of the tournament, in which five teams participated – Coinis, Studio Bild, Data Design, Telemont, and First Line Software – was to promote healthy lifestyles and connect the IT community more informally. The teams gathered around 40 players, and the tournament format involved playing one match against each other group to determine the winner based on performance. To respect the rules and provide professional refereeing, a pair of official Football Association of Montenegro referees were engaged on the field. After several relatively evenly matched matches, the best teams stood out. The first ICT Cortex football tournament winner was the Bild Studio team, with Telemont and Coinis taking second and third place, respectively. While member companies were engaged in a tense battle on the field, support was present from colleagues from competing and organizing companies and our youngest members at this tournament. Some segments that can characterize the recently held tournament are the more positive energy that characterized the teams themselves, a lot of laughter, and a profound competitive spirit that set new standards when organizing the next Cortex Football Tournament. For those who ran out of energy, Red Bull supported this event. This tournament is the first of its kind when it comes to ICT Cortex, and we would like to thank First Line Software and the “Čini dobro” Foundation for supporting the competition and contributing to its complete realization. This is just the first in a series of gatherings that we plan to organize, and we invite you to follow us on social media, where we will regularly inform you about our future activities.
ICT Cortex and The Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce are organizing a meetup on the topic of innovation laws
ICT Cortex meetup Vol 8 will be organized on the 25th of May in hotel CUE at 18h, with the purpose to resolve doubts related to the legislative framework that encourages innovation activity: the Law on Innovation and the Law on Incentives for the Development of Research and Innovation. Incentives and measures arising from innovation legislative framework related to subjects of innovation activity: companies (regardless of the sector in which they operate), startups, spin-offs, researches institutions, centers of excellence, and higher education institutions that perform innovative activities, inventors, innovators, freelancers, and other natural persons, which together represent an important segment in the development of the innovation ecosystem of Montenegro and they are a generator of the Montenegrin economy development and society in general. In an organization with the Chamber of Commerce, the cluster aims to bring together all participants of the innovative ecosystem: representatives of public administration, the academic sector, businesses, corporations, SMEs, startups, and the ICT community, but also all stakeholders who want to get answers to the question how to achieve the benefits offered by the application of the mentioned laws: redirection of profit tax to innovative projects, exemption from paying part of the tax for startups and freelancers, exemption from the real estate tax, creation of spin-off companies, etc. The organizers of the meetup announce a quality and interesting discussion that aims to launch an “innovation wheel” that will be based on the application of these laws. The interested auditorium will have the opportunity to receive answers to questions from eminent experts in this field:
The “StepUp with Cortex” project successfully finalized
The “StepUp with Cortex” project, which the ICT Cortex cluster implemented in cooperation with the Capital City of Podgorica, with the support of the Kingdom of Norway through the “Norway for you – Montenegro” project, was closed by marking the final event of the project on November 14, 2022. In the period from March to November of this year, five training programs were implemented, a total of 10 trainers were engaged, and about 100 employees from 12 companies underwent training; employees from the ICT Cortex executive office also successfully completed agile project management training; recommendations were made for improving the business environment for IT companies at the level of the Capital City. The following companies participated in this project: Alicorn, Amplitudo, Archimede, Bild studio, Codepixel, Codeus, Data Design, DigitalBee, Fleka, Logate, Omnitech, and Oykos Development. The final event of the project was attended by training participants, representatives of companies – project users, trainers, and lecturers, as well as representatives of the Capital City and ICT Cortex. The cooperation of the Capital City and ICT Cortex on this project is another confirmation of joint action aimed at improving the overall business environment and creating an innovative ecosystem for IT companies at the level of the Capital City, where conditions are created for the development of innovative products and their placement on international markets.
Study visit: Bosnia and Herzegovina
The period behind us was marked by a study visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ICT Cortex team together with representatives of the companies Amplitudo, Bild Studio, Čikom, and Simes Inženjering and accelerator Digital Den was in Sarajevo and Mostar from 6-9. December. Within four days of a condensed schedule, we visited leading IT companies and innovative organizations in Sarajevo and Mostar, the companies Atlantbh, Authority Partners, Bosnia, and Herzegovina Futures Foundation, Fondacija Mozaik, Isatis, Klika, NSoft, Ministry of Programming, Mistral, PING Software & Services, Symphony, Verlab, and Zira. Our hosts in Sarajevo were representatives of the Bit Alliance association, while in Mostar it was the Science and Technology Park Intera, where B2B meetings with IT companies from Mostar were organized. This study visit was an ideal opportunity to connect and exchange the knowledge of the representatives of our delegation with the most important actors in the ICT market of BiH.
The ICT Cortex cluster received a special award from the Union of Employers
At the solemn ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Union of Employers, the ICT Cortex cluster received a special recognition for the activities carried out in 2022: Recognition for a business policy that connects socially responsible business and information and communication technologies, and applies them in regular practice. The award was presented to Marketing Director Tanja Dukić, who thanked the Union of Employers for the award and expressed her satisfaction that the cluster’s contribution to the community was recognized through numerous projects, of which the Cortex Academy and the First Podgorica ICT Week stood out. “Established with the aim of being a leader in the digital transformation of the economy and public administration, as well as improving the framework and ecosystem that is necessary for the provision of digital innovations in industry and education, the Montenegrin cluster ICT Cortex has, in less than two years of operation, gathered 34 renowned IT companies that have recognized the importance and need for the existence of this organization for the digital development of Montenegro. We managed to connect with the academic and public sector, launch numerous projects, including the largest education program in the field of ICT education, the Cortex Academy, organize the first ICT week, realize several projects in the field of internationalization, and establish a foundation through which we will continue to give back to the community. in which we operate.” In her presentation, Tanja approached the idea of the “Čini dobro” Foundation, which gathers Montenegrin companies known for their socially responsible business for years. “Through the Foundation, united, we invest in healthy and progressive ideas, create opportunities for education, rely on green initiatives, and support the development of digital services. The“Čini dobro” foundation is open for new members of socially responsible companies, and I hereby invite you to join us, to do good together! ”
Vladan Tabaš is the new president of the Board of Directors of ICT cluster Cortex
The management board of the Montenegrin ICT cluster Cortex, at the session held on 10th of November 2022, unanimously decided that Vladan Tabaš, executive director of the Čikom company, should be the head of this administrative body of the cluster. The newly elected president of the Management Board of the cluster, which gathers renowned Montenegrin IT companies, expressed his satisfaction with the trust shown by the Management Board and reflected on the period and achievements of the cluster so far. “In the first year of work on the Montenegrin IT scene, Cortex has laid recognizable foundations and built on them in the field of association and strengthening of the IT community, education at various levels, internationalization and promotion of digital standards and digital transformation. It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be trusted to be the head of the Cortex Board of Directors, and I hope that with my work and experience, together with the other members of the Board of Directors, I will help the executive team and all members of Cortex to continue on well-prepared paths. Our ambitions have been great since the start, but our strength is also great and is a guarantee of the success of the vision that is our guiding principle – a digitally transformed Montenegro with a strong IT sector capable not only of providing services on the local market but also of being appreciated in the international framework. ” – said Vladan Tabaš. Sanja Gardašević, executive director of the company Alicorn, performed the role of president of the Management Board of the Cortex ICT cluster, from the establishment of the cluster until the appointment of a new president, who will continue to be a member of the Management Board of the cluster, together with: Nenad Novović, Ivica Tatar, Dejan Petković, Aleksandr Bošković, and Nikolom Ljumović. Founded to be a leader in the digital transformation of the economy and public administration, as well as improving the framework and ecosystem necessary for providing digital innovations in industry and education, the Montenegrin ICT Cortex cluster has gathered 34 renowned IT companies over the past two years that have recognized the importance and need for the existence of this organization for the digital development of Montenegro. He managed to connect the academic and public sectors and launched numerous programs, including the largest program in the field of ICT education, the Cortex Academy, implemented several projects in the field of internationalization, and founded the “Čini dobro” foundation.
The “StepUp with Cortex” project of ICT Cortex and the Capital City of Podgorica improved the competitiveness of 12 small IT companies
ICT Cortex, in cooperation with the Capital city of Podgorica, realized the project “StepUp with Cortex”, which was supported by the Kingdom of Norway through the project “Norway for you – Montenegro”. The “StepUp with Cortex” project, which the ICT Cortex cluster implemented in cooperation with the Capital City of Podgorica, with the support of the Kingdom of Norway through the “Norway for you – Montenegro” project, in the period from March to November of this year, was aimed at improving and education of employees from 12 member companies, to improve competitiveness through the upgrading of institutional, administrative and organizational capacities and business skills of employees. The following companies participated in this project: Alicorn, Amplitudo, Archimede, Bild studio, Codepixel, Codeus, Data Design, DigitalBee, Fleka, Logate, Omnitech, and Oykos Development. The final event of the project was organized yesterday, which was attended by training participants, representatives of companies – project beneficiaries, trainers, and lecturers, as well as representatives of the Capital City and ICT Cortex. Chief Project Officer,, Ferida Mandić, emphasized the importance of this project. “The “StepUp with Cortex” project, in the period from March to November of this year, was aimed at the training and education of employees from 12 member companies, to improve competitiveness through upgrading the institutional, administrative, and organizational capacities and business skills of employees.” pointed out Mandić and added that the results of the training were very successful. “Five education programs were implemented, a total of 10 trainers were engaged; about 100 employees from 12 companies underwent training; employees from the ICT Cortex executive office also completed agile project management training; recommendations were made to improve the business environment for IT companies at the level of the Capital City.” Director of the Center for Information System of the Capital City, Džemal Lekić, pointed out that the administration of the Capital City is dedicated to the improvement of the sector of micro, small and medium enterprises, which is one of the key factors for accelerated economic development. “The ICT sector in the capital is recognized as one of the most important sectors for the future economic development of Podgorica because it supports all other sectors of the economy. In recent years, the administration of the Capital City has recognized digitization as one of the priorities in the development of Montenegrin society in terms of processes that can affect the improvement of the quality and standard of life of citizens. The goal is for ICT to become a strong sector of the economy that could become Montenegro’s leading export activity. Through the cooperation of the actors in the ICT community, there will be an increase in the number of employees, primarily professional staff, so the development and application of ICT are of crucial importance for economic development”, stressed Lekić. The project manager of the UNOPS office in Montenegro, Armen Čekić, pointed out that he was particularly glad that the ICT sector recognized the benefits of human resource development. “The development of human resources is the most important for the development of a company, and for the growth of the economy, which also entails the development of technology. So it should be continuously developed. I also hope that the others will follow this approach to their further development”, Čekić concluded. Trainer and NLP coach at NLP Network, Danka Ćetković, expressed her gratitude for the idea of such a project and emphasized that she is very proud of her students. “We hung out and worked together for three months, and at first it wasn’t easy, but over time we realized that the hidden goal was to connect, that we are not competing with each other, but supporting each other. The topics we covered were everyday ones that everyone needs. Especially in the IT sector, because the focus is on professional knowledge, and technological knowledge, to be the best programmers, and designers. That’s how it should be because the ICT industry is the bright spot of our economy. However, for it to be able to deliver everything that is expected, someone must also think about people. Who will develop all that, master it… Because it is an industry that changes very quickly, is very flexible, and prioritizes efficiency, short deadlines, and innovation. So we have to support people, work on their development, communication and negotiation skills, to overcome their fears, nervousness and the like”, described Ćetković. At the very end, participants were presented with certificates and certificates of completed training, where they shared their impressions from the training. A lot of interaction, group work, and exercises, as they said, facilitated the learning process and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, and they recommend this type of education to people from different spheres because it is of great benefit to everyone. The cooperation of the Capital City and ICT Cortex on this project is another confirmation of joint action aimed at improving the overall business environment and creating an innovative ecosystem for IT companies at the level of the Capital City, where conditions are created for the development of innovative products and their placement on international markets.
