Moderator – Ana Chirita, Strategic Projects Director at National Association of ICT Companies.

Speakers: Cezara Panait, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova, Victor Sagaidac, Chief Information and Data Officer at Orange Moldova, Veaceslav Cunev, Member of the Board ATIC, Entrepreneur and Startups Founder

Cezara Panait, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova

“AI has tremendous potential to advance societal good, whether in education, work, healthcare, or climate action. We’re now generally just scratching the surface of what this technology can achieve. But it’s crucial to also understand its challenges and risks.
In Romania, we partnered with the Ministry of Environment to implement cloud AI solutions that monitor illegal deforestation. Foresters are required to take photos of logging activities and upload them for verification, but the manual review process was overwhelming for the Ministry. By using AI, we automated the verification, which allowed for faster, more accurate oversight, and prevented manipulation, such as submitting photos of old or unrelated logging. This initiative has resulted in fines of 700,000 euros and has protected a significant number of trees, showcasing how AI can be used effectively to combat illegal deforestation and promote sustainable practices.”

Victor Sagaidac, Chief Information and Data Officer at Orange Moldova

“We are still in the stage where AI acts as a copilot—assisting tasks but not yet autonomous. To really harness its potential, both private companies and governments need to collaborate, ensuring that AI doesn’t just augment the world, but also preserves human agency.

The future of AI depends on cooperation between government, big tech, and civil society. This collaboration is essential to ensure AI is deployed responsibly and ethically, benefiting all sectors of society.”

Veaceslav Cunev, Member of the Board ATIC, Entrepreneur and Startups Founder

“Twenty years ago, the internet took away our right to say, ‘I don’t know,’ and now artificial intelligence has taken away our right to say, ‘I can’t.’ This paradigm is changing education as well. ChatGPT is becoming an indispensable tool for acquiring any kind of knowledge.

Soon, you won’t be competing with artificial intelligence itself, but with people who know how to use it. Not understanding how AI can help you now is a crime against yourself.

Every state must take responsibility for training basic AI models, upon which businesses and startups can build their solutions.

In the near future, AI will become basic infrastructure, just like water, electricity, and sewage systems. We will all have access to and use AI, even without realizing it.”