Skopje, 11 June 2026 (MIA) - The Western Balkans has the predisposition, the entrepreneurial spirit and the strategic position to be more than a common user of new technologies. This region can be an active stakeholder in the innovation-based economy that is shaping the future, and the United States is committed to being your partner in that process, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Nicole Varnes told the closing of the conference "Western Balkans Digital Transformation Accelerator," organized by the Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) on June 10-11 in Skopje.

Varnes said decisions to be taken in the region in the coming years will help determine how the AI era will develop, not only for economies but for security and general progress as well.

"The AI revolution is already here. Decisions we are taking today as governments, companies and institutions will determine which countries and businesses will be best positioned to compete, innovate and make progress in the years to come. These decisions will shape our economies, our competitiveness and our security in the future. As we heard yesterday, national security is closely linked to economic prosperity. That is why it is of exceptional importance that we embrace digital transformation and take thoughful and strategic decisions over its direction," said Varnes.

She added that the conference highlighted the importance of credible digital infrastructure in the protection of some of the most critical systems and most sensitive data.

"We also looked at the risks of focusing solely on the cheapest option. What seems to be the most cost-effective choice may prove to be the most expensive risk tomorrow if the technology behind it is not credible and safe. Our capability to shape the future of AI will depend on the strength of partnerships we build between governments and the private sector, as well as between countries in the Western Balkans and the U.S. companies that provide state-of-the-art tech solutions," said Varnes.

The digital future, she added, is not something that will arrive one day, it is built right now, through investing, the partnerships we are building, and the choices we are making on who to bestow our trust on.

Photo: MIA