On 14–15 June, Belgrade hosted the international scientific conference "Digital Bridges: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Sovereignty in a Multipolar World."

The event took place at the Ragusa Hub International Youth Center with the support of the Directorate of the World Youth Festival and the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

The conference was dedicated to strengthening Russian-Serbian cooperation between the expert and business communities while placing particular emphasis on youth initiatives and public diplomacy.

The Center for Global IT Cooperation was represented by Yury Lindre, Head of the Center's Analytical Department.

His presentation focused on the fragmentation of the global Internet and approaches to strengthening digital sovereignty amid the rapid transformation of the global digital environment.

During both the presentation and the subsequent discussions, participants examined Russia's experience in developing resilient digital infrastructure, advancing domestic IT solutions and artificial intelligence technologies, and preserving cultural and linguistic identity in the face of the growing dominance of major international digital platforms.

The Serbian participants showed particular interest in Russia's approach to balancing openness to international digital cooperation with the protection of national interests, language, and cultural heritage within the digital environment.

The conference also featured a video address by Nina Fedorova, Deputy Director of the Center for Global IT Cooperation, entitled "Artificial Intelligence in Education: A New Digital Generation."

She emphasized that modern children are already highly confident users of digital technologies.

Therefore, it is essential not only to provide access to new digital tools but also to cultivate the skills required for their responsible and safe use.

Nina Fedorova also presented the work of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment on its White Paper for Children and highlighted the importance of studying the impact of artificial intelligence on education and cognitive development.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Serbian side expressed strong interest in continuing discussions on digital sovereignty and expanding practical cooperation with Russian experts, including participation in the Global Digital Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Moscow in September 2026.