Serhii Tokarev, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Roosh, an investment group that develops and scales tech businesses globally, outlines crucial strategies for advancing the Ukrainian AI market. In his op-ed for Forbes Ukraine, Tokarev emphasizes the importance of high-quality education, fostering collaboration among market players, and avoiding overly strict regulation within the industry.
According to Serhii Tokarev, the Ukrainian AI ecosystem has shown promising growth. Roosh, in collaboration with the AI HOUSE community and with support from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, found that Ukraine ranks second among Central and Eastern European countries in terms of the number of AI companies. In 2023, funding for AI startups in Ukraine increased by 35 percent compared to 2022. Tokarev highlights the achievements of companies like Zibra AI, a Roosh X’s deep-tech portfolio company, which simplifies creation of computer games using AI. This technology is now used by over 116,000 developers worldwide. In 2023, Zibra AI secured half a million dollars in investment from the Speedrun accelerator, demonstrating Ukraine’s growing influence in the AI sector.
However, Tokarev acknowledges the significant impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the technology sector. The full-scale invasion over the past two years has led to an outflow of personnel, with many Ukrainian specialists relocating to other countries. This brain drain poses a big challenge to the industry.
To counteract this issue, Serhii Tokarev stresses the need to improve Ukrainian tech education, making it both high-quality and accessible. Currently, the industry faces a shortage of teachers and funding. Many tech professionals prefer working in business over training future experts, and most educational institutions lack the autonomy to raise funds independently. Addressing these gaps is essential for sustaining the growth of the AI sector.
Another challenge is the decline in venture capital investments in AI-related projects. Due to the risks associated with the ongoing war, investors are hesitant to invest in Ukrainian companies. Serhii Tokarev emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues, as the country’s victory in the war and its future economic development depend on technological advancement.
High-quality education for AI students is one of the priorities. According to the entrepreneur, future specialists must master both technical and soft skills. He believes that only those who can communicate effectively, organize workflow, and have sufficient practical experience will be able to compete in the modern labor market. Some Ukrainian universities are already collaborating with technology companies to train specialists for the industry, setting an example for how technological education should function.
Organizing events and platforms where academic institutions, businesses, and the state can interact is crucial. The partnership of these three sectors is key to the country’s technological development. Such collaboration fosters an environment where innovation can thrive.
Serhii Tokarev also advocates for liberal regulation of the AI industry. He warns that overly strict control will slow down the general progress in the industry. As more countries impose restrictions on AI development, Ukraine has the opportunity to become a testing ground for AI technologies of large companies, strengthening its position in the industry. The state is already moving in this direction. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has developed a roadmap for AI regulation, which prioritizes cooperation between the state and AI companies, allowing the latter to develop and test technologies. Eventually, a legislative framework will be established to regulate the sector effectively.
According to Serhii Tokarev, the development of the Ukrainian AI market hinges on providing high-quality education, fostering collaboration among key players, and maintaining a liberal regulatory environment. By addressing these areas, Ukraine can not only advance its AI industry but also secure its future economic development.
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