On November 3rd, 2025, Budakov Films successfully organized the AI Creatives National Dissemination Event (Open Public Event), hosted by the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. The event was part of the Erasmus+ co-funded project “AI Creatives: Enhancing Creativity and Ethical Innovation in the Digital Age” (Project Number: 2024-2-PT01-KA210-VET-000290218).

The Open Public Event marked an important milestone in the project’s implementation, bringing together 32 participantsfrom academia, the creative industries, and the educational sector. The event provided a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into creative and educational practices.

A Space for Inspiration and Reflection

The event opened with a welcoming session and introduction to the objectives of the day, setting the tone for a series of presentations and discussions centered on the project’s mission—to enhance creativity, innovation, and ethical awareness in the digital era.

The first session, “AI Meets Creativity – Opportunities and Boundaries,” was led by Chief-assistant Professor Yordan Karapenchev, Ph.D., who provided an insightful overview of the intersection between AI technologies and human creativity. His presentation encouraged participants to reflect on the role of AI as both a supportive and transformative force in creative industries.

Following this, Prof. Dr. Petyo Budakov presented the “Creative AI Strategy Handbook – A New Framework for Ethical Innovation,” one of the key intellectual outputs of the AI Creatives project. The handbook offers a practical framework and ethical guidelines for educators, designers, and creative professionals on integrating AI tools responsibly into their work. The presentation generated significant interest and set the foundation for a constructive dialogue on the ethical implications of AI in artistic processes.

After a short coffee break, Mrs. Keti Tserovska, M.A., Product Designer, presented “Training for Tomorrow – Skill-Building Through Workshops & Videos,” highlighting the project’s educational component and its impact on developing new competences among creative professionals. Her presentation showcased how AI-driven learning and co-creation can empower individuals to adopt innovative workflows and rethink traditional approaches to design and content creation.

The afternoon continued with “Voices of the Future – Young Creatives & Experts on AI in Art and Design,” again moderated by Chief-assistant Professor Yordan Karapenchev, Ph.D. This session provided a platform for emerging creatives to share their perspectives on the use of AI tools in artistic expression, as well as their expectations for the future of the creative sector in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Dialogue and Feedback

The event concluded with an open discussion and feedback session involving all speakers and participants. Attendees shared their impressions, ideas, and recommendations for enhancing the impact of the AI Creatives project and promoting its results to a wider audience. The feedback collected was particularly valuable, as it will inform the ongoing refinement of the project’s deliverables and the dissemination of its educational resources.

Participants highlighted the relevance of the project’s focus on ethical innovation, underlining the importance of addressing both the opportunities and the challenges that AI introduces to the creative and educational sectors. The event reinforced the project’s commitment to European values, promoting collaboration, inclusion, and responsible technological development.

A Step Forward for AI and Creativity

The National Dissemination Event in Sofia demonstrated the strong interest and engagement of Bulgaria’s creative and academic communities in exploring the potential of AI. It also affirmed the role of Budakov Films as an active contributor to digital transformation and creative innovation in education.

As the AI Creatives project moves toward its final phase, the insights gained from this event will continue to shape its legacy. The consortium remains dedicated to supporting creative professionals, educators, and students in using AI tools ethically and effectively to foster innovation, critical thinking, and meaningful creative expression.

The success of the Sofia event reflects the shared vision of all project partners and the growing understanding across Europe that artificial intelligence and human creativity can—and should—work hand in hand to build a more innovative, ethical, and inclusive digital future.

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-PT01-KA210-VET-000290218