AGP Executive Report

Serbia’s Microchip Push: Caretaker PM Djuro Macut says Serbia has the know-how to design microchips, pointing to 1,000+ local engineers and a new integrated-circuit working group aimed at turning expertise into products and IP. EU Single Market Roadmap: A draft EU plan would give candidate countries “gradual integration” into the single market and research access before full membership, but only if they align politically and block transfers of key technologies like semiconductors, AI, biotech and space tech. Smart Agriculture Meets Investment: EatFruit is pitching Serbian orchards as a transparent, tech-enabled investment model, using AI, drones and precision farming to attract international capital. Batteries for Europe’s EV Supply: Volkswagen and Gotion broke ground on a 60GWh LFP battery gigafactory in Spain, targeting cost-stable mass-market EV production. Connected Cities: A new focus on 5G-backed city infrastructure highlights how Serbia-style smart development may move beyond pilots toward interoperable transport, energy and safety systems. Clinical Trial Update: Satellos says enrollment is complete for BASECAMP, a Phase 2 trial of forazapadin for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Oman Contract for Serbian Engineering: Energoprojekt ENTEL won a consultancy contract for three Oman gas power plants, supporting development and tendering. Academic Support for Student List: Serbia’s academic community backs student-led demands for a fairer, freer Serbia, citing institutional accountability after the Novi Sad station canopy tragedy.

Serbia–Senegal Tech & Security Ties: Serbia’s foreign ministry state secretary Damjan Jović met Senegal’s Cheikh Niang in Dakar, flagging new momentum for cooperation in ICT, agriculture/food, medicine/pharma, and military-technical and security areas. AI Safety Watch: Anthropic warns advanced AI could pose “catastrophic or existential risks,” while reports also highlight safety concerns around Meta’s Muse and OpenAI’s model behavior—another reminder that AI governance is moving from theory to urgent policy. Personalized Gene Therapy in Serbia: Genezen partnered with Serbian researcher Nevena Lešević to support AAV9 gene therapy manufacturing for an N-of-1 trial targeting ARCA2 (PMPCA mutation), tying Serbia’s biotech ecosystem to rare-disease innovation. Cancer Outcomes Gap: A Balkans-focused report points to higher death rates despite similar incidence, blaming late diagnosis and limited access to advanced diagnostics—an opening for Serbia’s health tech and screening upgrades. EU Integration via Science: Serbia’s caretaker EU integration minister Nemanja Starović says the European path must deliver tangible education, science, innovation, and exchange benefits for younger people. Educons University Governance: Dušan Kozarev was appointed to Educons University’s High Council of Trustees, emphasizing responsibility for higher education and scientific research and international positioning. Child Online Safety at the UN: A Türkiye-led UN panel urged stronger international standards as AI outpaces safeguards, with Serbian first lady Tamara Vučić stressing education and responsible tech use. Local Infrastructure Risk: Tenants in Belgrade’s Vojvode Vlahovića Street were evacuated after a retaining wall collapse, raising questions about construction oversight and infrastructure safety.

AI & Security: Anthropic warns advanced AI could bring “catastrophic or existential risks,” while reports also flag Meta’s Muse privacy missteps and OpenAI model safety concerns—raising fresh questions about how fast AI is outpacing safeguards. AI in Warfare: A “kill chain” story highlights how bad or misread battlefield data, amplified by AI, can trigger deadly decisions in minutes. Child Online Safety: A UN panel organized by Türkiye urged stronger international rules for children online, with Serbian first lady Tamara Vučić calling for education and responsible tech use alongside tougher governance. Health in the Balkans: Despite similar cancer incidence to Western Europe, Balkan patients die more often, with experts pointing to late diagnosis, weak primary care, and limited access to advanced diagnostics—an issue Serbia can’t ignore. Energy Transition: Wood Mackenzie says Europe will top 80% zero-carbon generation by 2030 but miss renewables targets, with data centres and electrification driving demand growth. Serbia Tech & Innovation: Niš’s startup ecosystem won “Fastest-Growing” status in 2026, signaling momentum beyond Belgrade and Novi Sad. Digital Infrastructure & Business: A1 Serbia positions itself as a regional digital hub, pushing 5G/fibre plus cloud, cybersecurity, data, IoT and software for SMEs. Governance & Tech Policy: Serbia’s election cycle is heating up after Vučić’s resignation bid for prime minister, while media monitoring for the campaign remains contested—both could shape how tech policy and regulation land.

Serbia’s election shake-up: President Aleksandar Vučić resigned to run for prime minister in an early Oct. 25 parliamentary vote, with Ana Brnabić set to act as president—an attempt to manage political risk after months of student-led protests tied to the 2024 Novi Sad station canopy collapse. Digital safety for kids: Serbia’s first lady Tamara Vučić backed UN calls for stronger international standards to protect children from online risks as AI accelerates. Startup momentum in Niš: The Science and Technology Park Niš won “Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem in Serbia” for 2026, boosting its global score by ~36% and climbing 13 places worldwide. Energy & industry buildout: Kolektor Etra opened a €14m transformer production hall in Barajevo, expanding capacity for Europe’s grid reinforcement needs. Telecom + AI push: A1 Serbia outlined a shift from connectivity to integrated digital services (cloud, cybersecurity, data, IoT) to drive productivity. Competition & markets: Serbia’s competition watchdog stressed the need for consistent, predictable enforcement as digital markets get more complex.

Politics Meets Tech Policy: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić resigned to run for prime minister in snap parliamentary elections on Oct. 25, with Ana Brnabić set to act as president—an attempt to keep political control amid student-led protests sparked by the 2024 Novi Sad train station canopy collapse. Media Oversight: The REM regulator failed to expand its pre-election monitoring list; it will keep watching 11 TV channels under its 2023 methodology, leaving outlets like Inform off the current roster. Grid Hardware Expansion: Kolektor Etra opened a €14m transformer production hall in Barajevo, adding heavy manufacturing capacity plus a €7.5m high-voltage lab opened in 2024—aimed at faster delivery for European grid reinforcement and renewable connections. Renewables Pipeline: Energy Week Western Balkans (Oct. 6–7, Budva) targets 20 GW of new renewable capacity by 2040, bringing policymakers and investors from across the region. Design & Innovation: Submissions are open for the Compasso d’Oro International Design Award 2027 (theme: “Design for Humanity at Play”), tied to Expo 2027 Belgrade. Learning Tech Research: Serbian and Croatian researchers report that test scores reflect more than knowledge—also the way questions are built and displayed, how long people struggle, and even facial signals.

Serbia Politics: Aleksandar Vučić resigned as president to lead the Serbian Progressive Party into an early parliamentary election on Oct. 25, after nearly two years of protests tied to the 2024 Novi Sad station canopy disaster; he also announced pardons for 49 people and said acting president Ana Brnabić will take over. Election Coverage: Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS invited Vučić and opposition “Student List” candidate Ilija Srdanović to a pre-election debate, while the opposition asked for clarity on format and participants. Tech & Education Research: Serbian and Croatian researchers warn that computer-based test scores reflect far more than knowledge—question design, on-screen rendering, response time, and even facial expressions can sway results. Archaeology: A German-Serbian team reports a 6,800-year-old Vinča-era settlement in Vojvodina (Opovo Ugar-Bajbuk) was larger than thought, covering over nine hectares and possibly housing 700+ people. Forensics & Crime Tech: UK Met Police said it will re-examine enhanced CCTV in the Jill Dando murder case, including footage of a man dubbed “Man X,” with renewed focus on a possible Serbian link.

Election Debate Standoff: Serbia’s “Student list – Students win” says it won’t commit to an RTS debate with Aleksandar Vučić until the broadcaster clarifies his role (state president vs election list holder), and argues the format shouldn’t assume one list equals one speaker. Candidate Response: Ilija Srdanović, first on the Student list, criticized RTS for not showing candidates earlier and demanded “images or voices” before the show goes ahead. Election Oversight Gap: BIRODI says the Supervisory Committee for the election campaign has not been publicly confirmed (members, mandate, and actions unclear), urging the National Assembly to publish details immediately. AI & Youth Mental Health: A large study in JAMA Pediatrics links affective generative AI use for emotional support with mental health problems in children and teens, raising questions about digital literacy and emotional reliance. Cold Case Tech: London’s Met Police is re-examining Jill Dando’s 1999 murder using enhanced CCTV from Putney Bridge, amid renewed claims tying a “Man X” to Serbian war-crimes suspect Milorad Ulemek. Archaeology in Serbia: New research on the 6,800-year-old Opovo Ugar-Bajbuk settlement in Vojvodina suggests a larger, more populous Neolithic community than previously thought.

CCTV Breakthrough in Cold Case: London’s Met Police has reopened the 1999 murder investigation of BBC presenter Jill Dando, saying advances in CCTV enhancement now let detectives re-examine original footage from Putney Bridge station, including a man dubbed “Man X” seen sprinting about 20 minutes after the shooting; the renewed focus reportedly ties to Serbian paramilitary figure Milorad Ulemek, currently serving a long prison sentence. Archaeology in Serbia: A German-Serbian team reports a much larger Late Neolithic Vinča-culture settlement in Vojvodina—Opovo Ugar-Bajbuk—covering over nine hectares and possibly supporting 700+ people at peak, using minimally invasive methods to reassess older excavations. EU Integration & Growth: An IMF working paper argues deeper EU-Western Balkans integration could lift regional GDP per capita by 8–15% over the long run, with gains from cutting non-tariff barriers, improving logistics, and easing services regulation. Election Oversight Gap: Serbia’s BIRODI says the Supervisory Committee for the election campaign (for the Oct. 25 extraordinary parliamentary vote) hasn’t been publicly confirmed—raising questions about who monitors media fairness and campaign irregularities. AI & Youth Mental Health: A large JAMA Pediatrics study links affective generative AI use for emotional support with mental health problems in children and teens, urging clearer digital literacy around when AI is help versus an emotional refuge.

EU Integration & Growth: An IMF working paper says deeper EU-Western Balkans integration could lift regional GDP per capita by 8–15% over the long run, focusing on cutting non-tariff barriers, easing border delays, and removing regulatory hurdles in services. Election Oversight: BIRODI says Serbia’s Supervisory Board for the election campaign is still unclear—whether it’s formed, who sits on it, and how it will monitor media fairness and campaign irregularities. Living Wage Reality Check: A “Living Wage Day” piece contrasts Serbia’s living wage level with average and minimum pay, highlighting how many workers fall short of covering basic costs. AI & Youth Mental Health: A large JAMA Pediatrics study links affective generative AI use for emotional support with mental health problems in children and teens, urging better digital literacy. Serbia-China Tech Ties: President Vučić met China’s Han Zheng at the UN, stressing cooperation in innovation, high tech, AI, and robotics. Election Debate: Serbia’s first pre-election TV debate aired between Ana Brnabić and Mirjana Nikolić, quickly turning from education to broader fights over media, universities, and the student movement. Tech-Driven Policing (UK, Serbia-linked): London’s Met Police reopened the Jill Dando cold case, re-examining Putney Bridge CCTV using enhanced technology and exploring links to Serbian suspect Milorad Ulemek.

Serbia–China Tech Ties: President Aleksandar Vučić met China’s Han Zheng at the UN in New York, highlighting cooperation in innovation, high technologies, AI and robotics, alongside infrastructure and energy. Defense Industry & Drones: Serbia’s Israeli-linked drone factory has drawn scrutiny over the commercial setup, with reporting pointing to Elbit Systems and Serbian state arms involvement, plus questions about the registered owner and directors. AI in Daily Life (Youth): A large JAMA Pediatrics study links affective generative AI use with mental health problems in children and teens, raising calls for better digital and clinical literacy. Edge AI Hardware: Quectel unveiled the QSM603FCP smart PCBA for AIoT, built on MediaTek’s MT8371, targeting industrial panels, smart retail and POS systems. Blue Waterways Strategy: Analysis argues Europe must treat rivers as strategic infrastructure, warning that 2026 drought hit the Rhine–Danube logistics and energy systems. Serbia Election Tech & Media: Serbia’s first election debate ahead of 25 October aired on N1, with education as the stated topic but a wider fight over universities, media and the student movement taking over.

Serbia–China Tech Push: President Aleksandar Vucic met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the UN in New York, highlighting cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and “innovation, high technologies, artificial intelligence and robotics.” Regional EU Strategy Idea: The “Carpathian Eight” initiative is being floated as a base for an EU macro-regional Carpathians strategy, with possible expansion into a “C8+” format that could reach beyond EU borders. Serbia Election Media Moment: Serbia’s first election debate aired on N1, with Ana Brnabic facing Mirjana Nikolic, as the discussion quickly broadened from education to universities, media, and the student movement. Defense Tech Watch: Serbia’s Israeli-linked drone factory has drawn scrutiny over ownership and the role of Netanyahu’s former lawyer, with business registry records pointing to SDS Technologies. AI Hardware for Edge: Quectel unveiled the QSM603FCP smart PCBA for AIoT, supporting Android/Linux and targeting industrial smart panels, ticketing, and smart POS systems.

Serbia’s Drone Industry: President Aleksandar Vučić promoted Serbia’s first Israeli-linked drone factory in Belgrade, creating 100 jobs and citing “most modern equipment,” while reporting also raised questions about Israeli lawyer Zion Amir’s role via SDS Technologies and a renaming of a previously registered firm. AI & Biotech: Absci announced more details for a Phase 2 STORYLINE™ trial of its AI-designed ABS-201 antibody for endometriosis, targeting about 150 patients across 10+ countries with results expected after a run-in period. Fintech & Crypto: Raiffeisen Bank International plans to roll out crypto investment access for roughly 18 million customers across Central and Eastern Europe through Bitpanda’s B2B infrastructure, with local banks deciding offerings under phased deployment. Education & Research Policy: PM Macut told university officials that autonomy comes with responsibility, including state support for conditions and university accountability for teaching and scientific research quality. Tech & Society: Students at Rochester Institute of Technology are building a peacebuilding video game, Peaceland: Choose Your Memory, using small player choices to explore how conflict narratives shape the present. Global Tech Governance: US and China leaders are pushing a government-to-government notification mechanism for AI incidents, aiming for a practical channel when cross-border AI risks escalate.

UN Diplomacy: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told the UN General Assembly that the line between peace and conflict is blurring, warning that economic pressure, technological restrictions, cyber attacks and disinformation are replacing older forms of confrontation. Kosovo & UN Charter: In the same UN address, he accused countries that recognize Kosovo of “trampling” the UN system and said the international order based on the Charter no longer exists. Defense Tech: Serbia’s Israeli-linked drone factory in Belgrade is back in focus, with reporting raising questions about the role of an Israeli lawyer tied to Netanyahu and the local company behind the project. Digital Services: Serbia’s move toward EU-style digital wallets is highlighted, letting citizens store documents on their phone with privacy protections and voluntary use. Biotech AI: Absci released more details for a Phase 2 trial of AI-designed antibody ABS-201 for endometriosis, aiming to recruit about 150 patients across 10+ countries. Finance & Crypto: Raiffeisen Bank International plans to offer crypto services via Bitpanda to a network reaching around 18 million customers across CEE, with rollouts phased by local regulation. Energy Policy: The EU voiced concern over reported US plans to ban diesel exports, warning of potential disruption to EU-US energy cooperation.

UN General Assembly: President Vučić used his UNGA speech to argue Serbia’s integrity was attacked but not defeated, warning that international justice is under threat as pressure to “choose sides” intensifies. AI & education policy: The European Commission released reports on how generative AI can help or hinder learning, stressing the need for teacher training and better school-level digital support. Serbia–US tech cooperation: Marko Đurić met US Deputy State Secretary Christopher Landau, highlighting closer ties in economy, energy, and “new technologies” under the Strategic Dialogue. Digital IDs in Serbia: An EU digital wallet rollout lets citizens store certified documents on their phones, aiming to reduce reliance on physical ID cards and papers. Cybersecurity & governance: A Curaçao gaming regulator breach exposed hundreds of ownership records tied to offshore gambling firms, underscoring weak licensing security. Deep tech in the region: Cambridge Tech Week 2026 grew 15%, with a stronger focus on turning research into scalable businesses. Industry funding: PWO secured a €15m EIB loan for machinery at its Čačak plant, supporting automotive component production and jobs. Agritech trust tools: OpenAgri aims to help farmers compare digital solutions using real-world results, not sales pitches.

Serbia-US Tech & Investment: President Aleksandar Vučić met US Deputy State Secretary Christopher Landau in New York, stressing stronger cooperation on economy, investments, energy and “new technologies” under the Strategic Dialogue. Digital ID Wallet Rollout: Serbia-linked coverage highlights the EU plan to let citizens store certified documents in a phone-based digital wallet from Dec. 24, 2026, using privacy protections like selective disclosure. Drone Factory Scrutiny: A report on Serbia’s Israeli-linked drone plant points to shifting company names in the business registry around the factory opening, raising questions about ownership and links to the drone designer. Industrial Upgrade Funding: PWO secured a €15m EIB loan for machinery at its Čačak automotive components plant, adding development-bank support to a wider investment and job creation plan. Deep-Tech Spotlight: Cambridge Tech Week grew attendance by 15% and pushed deep-tech commercialization, with Serbia-relevant interest in turning research into market-ready products. AI in Education (EU): EU Commission reports say generative AI can help or hinder learning, with digital gaps still affecting schools’ access and support. Press Freedom Risk: CPJ warns that journalists covering Serbia’s October elections face threats and hostility, urging EU partners to press Belgrade on safety and rule of law.

EU Digital Education & AI: The European Commission says generative AI can help or hinder learning, but warns digital gaps remain and teachers need strong training plus clear rules. Serbia–Morocco Tech Ties: Serbia’s telecom minister met Morocco’s ambassador to discuss 5G, optical networks, data centers, cloud, AI and cybersecurity under Morocco’s “Digital Morocco 2030.” Serbia–Pacific Cooperation: Marko Đurić met Samoa and Fiji officials at the UN, pitching cooperation in information technology, education and disaster resilience, with Expo 2027 in Belgrade as a key bridge. Serbia’s Robot Dogs: Observers link new “robot dog” weapons shown in a Serbian drill to China’s robotics push, following the start of mass production in Šabac. Press Freedom Under Pressure: CPJ warns journalists face rising threats around Serbia’s October elections, citing attacks, smear campaigns and impunity. EU on Moratti Case: The European Commission criticized Serbia’s expulsion of Italian researcher Massimo Moratti, saying the decision lacked clear reasons. Renewables Procurement Scrutiny: EPS’s plan to buy RES projects via confidential DCF-based evaluations draws criticism over public verifiability and transparency.