# ArtInDIGECDevelopment

> ArtInDIGECDevelopment is a research project at South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund. It studies the new trilemma in post-pandemic Europe: artificial intelligence, the digital economy and economic development. The principal investigator is Assoc. Prof. Mariya Paskaleva, PhD.

- Official title: Investigating the new trilemma in post-pandemic Europe: artificial intelligence – digital economy – economic development
- Official title (Bulgarian): Изследване на новата трилема в постпандемична Европа: изкуствен интелект – дигитална икономика – икономическо развитие
- Host institution: South-West University “Neofit Rilski”
- Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Mariya Paskaleva, PhD
- Website: https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/en/ (English), https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/ (Bulgarian)

## Goal

To study and measure how artificial intelligence, the digital economy and economic development interact in EU countries after the pandemic, and to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.

## Hypothesis

Artificial intelligence, the digital economy and economic development form a trilemma: simultaneous progress on all three is possible only with deliberate policies on digital skills, access and regulation.

## Methodology

Bibliometric analysis of the literature; a survey and a Digital Literacy Index (DLI); econometric modelling of the link between AI and growth; comparative legal analysis.

## Research results

- Bibliometrics: A map of the literature on AI, the digital economy and development: leading topics, authors and journals.
- Digital literacy and the DLI: A Digital Literacy Index computed from a survey of 418 respondents.
- Digital inequality: Differences in access, skills and use of digital technology between groups and regions.
- AI and growth: Empirical estimates of the link between AI adoption and economic growth.
- Legal analyses: A review of the European and national legal framework for AI and digital services.
- Recommendations: Policy recommendations for public institutions, business and education.

## Work packages

- WP 1 – Theoretical framework and bibliometric analysis [Completed]: A systematic literature review and a map of research strands.
- WP 2 – Survey and Digital Literacy Index [Completed]: A survey of 418 respondents and development of the DLI.
- WP 3 – Econometric modelling: AI and growth [In progress]: An empirical assessment of the link between AI, digitalisation and economic growth in the EU.
- WP 4 – Legal analysis, recommendations and guide [Planned]: Comparative legal analysis, policy recommendations and a practical research guide.

## Publications


## News and events

- 2026-06-10: Public lecture with Prof. Gancho Ganchev, PhD. On 10 June 2026 a public lecture with Prof. Gancho Ganchev, PhD, was held as part of the project.
- Outstanding Paper award for research on the digital economy. A study by the team on the digital economy in Bulgaria and Albania received an Outstanding Paper award.
- Participation in research conferences. Team members presented project results at research conferences.

## Pages

- [Home (EN)](https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/en/)
- [Начало (BG)](https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/)
- [Privacy policy](https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/en/privacy)
- [Accessibility](https://www.artindigec.voiceoverbg.com/en/accessibility)

## Резюме на български

ArtInDIGECDevelopment е научноизследователски проект на Югозападен университет „Неофит Рилски“, Благоевград, финансиран от Фонд „Научни изследвания“. Проектът изследва новата трилема в постпандемична Европа: изкуствен интелект, дигитална икономика и икономическо развитие. Ръководител е доц. д-р Мария Паскалева.

Да се изследва и измери взаимодействието между изкуствения интелект, дигиталната икономика и икономическото развитие в страните от ЕС след пандемията и да се формулират обосновани препоръки за политики.