Bucharest hosts conference on Artificial Intelligence regulation and its impact on the economy
The conference “The Technological Revolution and Artificial Intelligence Regulation: Benefits, Opportunities and Risks” took place on 14–15 October 2026 in Bucharest, bringing together more than 120 representatives of European and national institutions, regulatory authorities, the judiciary, academia and the business community.
The event was organised by the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest, in partnership with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, Think Tank 360, Women in Data Science Romania and the Centre for Strategic Analysis.
The Representation of the European Commission in Romania highlights that:
“Artificial intelligence is having a decisive impact on our future, and Romania has experts, companies and researchers who can contribute to the development of this technology. To harness this potential, we need not only a clear and predictable regulatory framework, but also investment, infrastructure, access to data and skills. It is essential that artificial intelligence be effectively implemented across the economy, public administration and public services in a responsible manner that preserves human oversight and protects citizens.”
From Think Tank 360’s perspective, artificial intelligence regulation must support economic development and the responsible adoption of technology:
“Artificial intelligence regulation should not be viewed solely as a compliance obligation, but also as a strategic opportunity for Romania to build trust, accelerate innovation and strengthen its economic competitiveness. For the AI Act to deliver tangible results, it is essential to connect the legislative framework with the realities faced by businesses, the capacity of public institutions, and investment in skills and technology. Through this conference, Think Tank 360 aims to contribute to a strategic dialogue between public authorities, academia and the private sector, so that the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence can become a driver of Romania’s economic and social development.”
Over the two days, participants examined the legal, economic and social implications of artificial intelligence development, focusing on the implementation of the European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), compliance costs, business competitiveness, the digitalisation of the justice system and the security of critical infrastructure. The programme featured four panel discussions and more than 20 discussion topics.
One of the central topics was the impact of the AI Act on the business environment. Participants discussed how compliance obligations may affect operating costs, investment decisions and companies’ access to international markets. They also examined the potential benefits of common security and transparency standards and their role in strengthening the trust of customers and business partners.
The discussions highlighted the need to assess both the direct and indirect costs of compliance and the economic risks associated with delays in adopting artificial intelligence. In this context, the predictability of the legislative framework and the proportionality of regulatory obligations were addressed as important factors for business competitiveness and growth.
Another topic concerned the legal implications of using AI, including transparency in decision-making processes, liability for decisions assisted by automated systems and the protection of fundamental rights. The panel dedicated to digital justice addressed interoperability, digital identity, data protection, procedural rights and the use of artificial intelligence in judicial proceedings. The discussions emphasised the importance of maintaining appropriate mechanisms for human oversight and for challenging decisions.
The discussions also examined the alignment of the European Artificial Intelligence Act with other EU legislative acts, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2). Participants discussed the need for consistent implementation of these regulations to avoid overlapping administrative obligations, reduce compliance costs and ensure a clear and predictable legislative framework for businesses.
Regarding innovation funding, the conference addressed tax predictability for research and development projects, eligibility criteria for tax incentives and companies’ access to advanced technological infrastructure. The instruments discussed included Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and services provided through AI Factories, which can facilitate access to computing resources, testing facilities and specialised expertise.
Digital security and the protection of critical infrastructure were also key topics on the conference agenda. Discussions covered the obligations of essential entities, the implementation of NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act, incident reporting in contexts involving overlapping regulatory requirements, and the challenges associated with government cloud infrastructure.
The conference aimed to facilitate dialogue between public authorities, academia, the judiciary and the private sector in order to identify solutions that align the objectives of European regulation with the practical needs of the Romanian economy and society.
Through this initiative, the organisers aim to establish an annual platform for strategic dialogue on artificial intelligence regulation and the impact of digital transformation in Romania.
Further information: https://ai-law.ro/