Andonovski: AI won’t replace people, but those who use it will replace those who don’t
Skopje, 16 February 2026 (MIA) - Artificial intelligence will not replace people, but those who use it will replace those who don’t, both in the public and private sector. It helps people do their work faster, more efficiently, more accurately, said Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski at a public discussion Monday focused on the State Audit Office’s report on the public sector’s preparation for the implementation of AI.
At the discussion held in Parliament, the Minister stressed that AI is a resource that can significantly boost the efficiency of institutions, but noted that the human factor remains key, especially when it comes to ethical and values-based decisions.
Andonovski said the Ministry of Digital Transformation is already using various AI models, adding that it hasn’t led to job cuts but rather to a faster and more efficient completion of tasks.
According to the Minister, the Government has taken a strategic approach to the development of the technology by including AI in the national strategic documents and establishing a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, financed with state funds and backed by the European Union and the academic community. Andonovski highlighed the creation of a Macedonian language model as a key activity, ensuring greater precision when processing Macedonian texts and contexts.
At the discussion, Auditor General Maksim Acevski presented an audit report for 2019-2024, analyzing the institutions relevant for the development and implementation of AI.
“The key question we pose is whether the public sector is ready to implement AI. The report analyzes the strategic framework, the legal basis, human resources, and the protection of personal data,” Acevski said.
The Audit said around EUR 6.1 million were invested in 48 projects related to the technology, but stressed they weren’t implemented in the public sector.
Acevski assessed that the state should establish a clear registry of projects, invest in modern hardware, and train staff to effectively use the technology.
Photo: MIA
