On 27 October 2025, the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”hosted the Bulgarian Open Public Event of the Erasmus+ project “Navigating AI Regulations: Practical Guide” (Project Number: 2024-2-DE02-KA210-VET-000287096), organized by Budakov Films as part of Activity 3: Hands-On Training and Community Engagement. The event marked a significant milestone in disseminating the project’s results, drawing 33 participants from academia, the cultural and creative sectors (CCS), and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event aimed to promote the project’s main intellectual output – the Training Program “Navigating AI Regulations: Practical Guide”, which supports professionals and educators in understanding and applying AI technologies ethically and responsibly within creative contexts. Attendees included university lecturers, researchers, designers, digital artists, AI enthusiasts, and students, all actively engaged in discussions on how artificial intelligence can enhance creativity while ensuring compliance with EU standards and ethical principles.
The program opened with a welcome session, followed by a presentation by Chief-assistant Professor Yordan Karapenchev, Ph.D., who addressed the topic “Building Competence in AI and Digital Skills for the Creative Industry: the AI Act”. His talk highlighted the evolving legal landscape in Europe and the implications of the AI Act for professionals in the creative sector. Prof. Dr. Petyo Budakov, representing Budakov Films and XU Exponential University of Applied Sciences, delivered an insightful session titled “Creative Toolbox: Transforming Complex Ideas into Engaging Content”, demonstrating practical strategies for integrating AI tools into creative processes. The event also featured Mrs. Keti Tserovska, M.A., product designer and educator, who presented “Bridging Borders: Success Stories from a Transnational Collaboration”, illustrating how cross-border teamwork within the consortium strengthened innovation and inclusiveness.
One of the highlights of the event was the interactive discussion dedicated to the five modules of the Training Program:
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Understanding AI Risk Classification in Creative Projects – praised for its clarity in explaining AI risk levels, with participants suggesting the inclusion of more examples from film and design.
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Ensuring Compliance with AI Regulations in the Creative Sector – valued for its accessibility and practical guidance on EU compliance, with a proposal to add a self-assessment checklist.
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Maintaining Transparency in AI-Driven Creative Processes – recognized as essential for ethical creative production, with attendees recommending templates and case studies.
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Data Governance for AI in the Creative Industry – appreciated for addressing data protection and intellectual property concerns, with calls for more applied case examples.
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Integrating Ethical AI Practices in Creative Entrepreneurship – highly rated for its relevance to business development and responsible innovation, with feedback encouraging the addition of real-life scenarios.
Beyond the event itself, additional feedback was collected through a Google Form, allowing participants to share more detailed insights after the sessions. The responses were analysed by the organizing team and will be integrated into the refinement of the Training Program to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with stakeholder needs.
The impact of the event extended well beyond the academic discussion. Three organizations from the cultural and creative sectors confirmed their intention to integrate the project’s Training Program into their professional attestation and educational activities, ensuring the long-term sustainability and application of the results. Moreover, students demonstrated strong enthusiasm for further learning about the ethical dimensions of AI and EU values, confirming the relevance and timeliness of the project’s outcomes.
By successfully bridging academic expertise, creative practice, and EU policy perspectives, the Open Public Event in Sofia achieved its primary goal: to disseminate the Navigating AI results, foster community engagement, and inspire professionals to integrate ethical and transparent AI practices in their creative and entrepreneurial work. The event reaffirmed Budakov Films’ commitment to promoting responsible AI innovation and advancing digital competence in Europe’s creative ecosystem.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Project No: 2024-2-DE02-KA210-VET-000287096
