The Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence is Now Operational

• Posted On: January 21, 2026
• Posted By: tilen

The Slovenian Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence (KCUI) brings together key stakeholders from the economy as well as research and educational institutions, with the goal of enabling the efficient and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in Slovenian companies. The consortium is led by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS), while the Faculty of Computer and Information Science of the University of Ljubljana is responsible for professional leadership and coordination of two work packages focused on knowledge transfer.

At the opening event on January 20, 2026, held at the premises of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Minister for Digital Transformation MSc Ksenija Klampfer said: »Artificial intelligence is today essential for the competitiveness of the economy – as it enables faster processes, better decisions, new products, and lower costs. That is why the Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence (KCUI) is important, as it allows companies to adopt AI faster, more safely, and with less risk. It provides companies with access to expert support, proven use cases, knowledge of legislation and security, and development partners for prototypes and pilots. KCUI will thus shorten the path from idea to solution and ensure that AI in Slovenia does not remain a topic of discussion, but becomes a concrete tool for higher productivity, new jobs, and a stronger presence in the international market.«

Bringing artificial intelligence knowledge into practice

»Research in artificial intelligence in Slovenia has a long tradition, dating back to the 1970s, when the first research departments in this field were established within public research organizations. Since then, AI research has been continuously carried out, and the knowledge and results have been systematically integrated into study programs,« said the scientific director of KCUI, Dr. Vida Groznik from UL FRI. She also emphasized that »Slovenia today has a strong and internationally recognized community of artificial intelligence researchers. The key next step is a more effective transfer of this knowledge into the economy and encouraging companies to seek cutting-edge solutions within the domestic research environment. This is precisely one of the central goals of the new competence center.«

Marko Štefančič , director of the KCUI consortium, highlighted that »The Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence brings together one of the broadest consortia of knowledge, industry, and support environments in Slovenia with a clear goal: to ensure that companies begin using artificial intelligence in practice. We are not talking about the future, but about how to safely and effectively integrate AI today into processes, products, and the competitive advantage of companies.«

What will the competence center provide?

The tasks and services of the Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence include:

• Establishing a comprehensive support environment and a single entry point for all stakeholders in the field of artificial intelligence.
• Providing expert support through the collection, transfer, and dissemination of knowledge, training, consulting, and the sharing of best practices.
• Developing and managing knowledge platforms, stakeholder databases, and analytical support for the design and monitoring of policies and measures.
• Connecting and networking stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives.
• International cooperation, promotion of the Slovenian AI ecosystem, and raising awareness of the technological, societal, legal, and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence.
• In-depth professional, educational, and consulting support for the responsible, safe, and effective deployment of artificial intelligence in the economy, public sector, and society.

The consortium includes the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the University of Ljubljana (Faculty of Computer and Information Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Law), the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, the University of Maribor, the University of Primorska, the University of Nova Gorica, and the ASEF Institute for Education and Research.