A day at the heart of innovation, artificial intelligence, and the future of cities, healthcare, science, and business – this is how Vladimir Nedev’s participation in the “CEO for a Day” initiative unfolded. Vladimir is a law student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” The initiative is organized by the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria and H.E. Andrea Ikić-Böhm, Ambassador of Austria to Bulgaria.
As part of the initiative, Vladimir took on the role of CEO of the GATE Institute – the first Centre of Excellence in Bulgaria in the field of big data and artificial intelligence, established jointly by Sofia University and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.
The young future legal professional was welcomed by the institute’s director, Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, who introduced him to the history of GATE – from the visionary idea of three women in science to its establishment as a high-tech research hub with the spirit of a fast-growing startup and the ambition to become a driver of innovation in Bulgaria and Europe.
“For us at GATE, it is extremely important that young people have the opportunity to get close to the real environment of science, innovation, and technological leadership. Vladimir demonstrated curiosity, analytical thinking, and a strong interest in artificial intelligence, data, and regulation – areas that will be decisive for the development of society and business in the coming years. I believe that initiatives like this build a bridge between education, science, and practice and inspire the next generation of leaders,” noted Prof. Sylvia Ilieva.
During his working day, Vladimir immersed himself in the dynamics of GATE’s multidisciplinary team, which develops innovative scientific and applied projects in the fields of “Future Cities,” digital healthcare, and smart governance. He met leading experts and researchers who develop solutions with real societal impact – supporting business, the public sector, and the digital sustainability of society.
Particular interest was drawn by the work on the Digital Twin of Sofia, developed by the “Future Cities” department under the leadership of Prof. Desislava Petrova-Antonova in collaboration with Sofia Municipality. Vladimir became closely acquainted with how artificial intelligence, big data, and 3D modelling are used to analyze air quality, mobility, energy efficiency, and the city’s infrastructure.
A key highlight of the day was also a meeting with Ivo Emanuilov, head of the only Regulatory Experimentation Laboratory in Bulgaria and one of the few in Europe. He joined remotely from Brussels and presented GATE’s role in creating an ethical, secure, and responsible AI ecosystem. Ivo Emanuilov spoke about the institute’s involvement in developing European policies and mechanisms for AI regulation, as well as the need for technologies to evolve in alignment with public interest and ethical principles.
As part of the program, Vladimir also spoke with Ioana Koleva, AI & Data Strategy Manager and Data Protection Officer (DPO), about the key role of data in business and societal development, as well as with Georgi Randelov, Director of Business Development, about opportunities in innovation and technological entrepreneurship.
“One day at the GATE Institute was truly inspiring, giving me the opportunity to observe closely how data can reveal the future of a city, and how information can be used to build sustainable solutions for the development not only of the urban environment but also of society. The meetings with the GATE team opened up for me the world of the Digital Twin of Sofia—a space where noise, temperature, and the dynamics of our surrounding environment are transformed into the basis for precise analyses and important decision-making. I am grateful for the inspiring conversations, the shared experience, and the opportunity to get closer to a vision that turns innovation into reality,” said Vladimir Nedev.
His participation in “CEO for a Day” demonstrated in an impressive way how education, science, technology, and leadership can come together in an inspiring environment that provides a real glimpse into the professions of the future.
The “CEO for a Day” initiative is being held for the second consecutive year and brought together 21 students from prestigious universities with leaders of leading companies and organizations in Bulgaria. The goal is for young people to gain practical experience, mentorship, and direct access to the real business and management environment. Among the mentors in this year’s edition are representatives of leading companies, organizations, and academic institutions, and the GATE Institute is among the active partners investing in the development of the next generation of leaders and innovators.