On February 14, 2025, in the dynamic city of Sofia, Budakov Films played a pivotal role in advancing the Erasmus+ co-funded project Navigating AI Regulations: Practical Guide (Project No: 2024-2-DE02-KA210-VET-000287096) by conducting in-depth focus group interviews.
Moderated by Dr. Yordan Karapenchev, the session brought together seven carefully selected representatives from our target audience in Bulgaria, ensuring a balanced and inclusive perspective through a thoughtful approach that emphasized gender equality.
The focus group interviews were instrumental in shedding light on how AI tools are revolutionizing creative processes within the industry. Participants shared their experiences on leveraging technologies such as ChatGPT for text generation and built-in AI features in Photoshop and Canva for visual creation. Although some noted that platforms like Midjourney are perceived as overly complex, the consensus was clear: AI integration is significantly streamlining workflows, reducing manual effort, and accelerating production timelines. These tools are enabling creative professionals to devote more time to ideation, innovation, and artistic refinement.
The discussions delved into both the opportunities and challenges brought about by AI integration. On the one hand, participants identified benefits such as time savings, fast prototyping, and seamless technological integration. On the other hand, they raised concerns about potential risks including job losses, confidentiality issues, and the evolving legal landscape—particularly with regard to copyright and the anticipated implications of the EU’s AI regulations. Interestingly, while there was general awareness of the EU’s efforts to introduce AI regulations, the specific term “AI Act” was not widely recognized, pointing to a significant gap in understanding that needs to be addressed.
The valuable insights gathered during these sessions have been meticulously compiled into a comprehensive report. This report not only highlights the specific skills and knowledge gaps within the creative industry—such as the need for a deeper understanding of AI compliance, risk management, and ethical considerations—but also directly informs the structure of our upcoming training program. The curriculum will be designed to equip creative professionals with the necessary competencies to navigate the complex and evolving regulatory landscape effectively.
Budakov Films is proud to have contributed significantly to this important milestone. Our commitment to excellence in digital creativity and educational content production has been a driving force behind these focus group interviews, ensuring that the project remains firmly aligned with the needs of the creative community. By capturing real-world challenges and opportunities, we have helped lay a solid foundation for developing an industry-specific training program that will enhance digital readiness, promote responsible AI adoption, and uphold the values and standards of the European Union.
As Navigating AI Regulations: Practical Guide continues to evolve, Budakov Films remains dedicated to transforming these insights into actionable strategies that empower creative professionals across Bulgaria and beyond. Stay tuned to our blog for further updates on our journey toward fostering a more innovative, compliant, and digitally adept creative sector.
*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