XX International Scientific Conference

1. Education as a factor for successful, secure and competitive integration of AI

Global trends toward automating a significant portion of current jobs, including through the application of artificial intelligence, will generate demand for employees who understand the concepts, methods and technologies of AI. The concept of AI requires a change in the existing educational paradigm, both in terms of how the educational process is conducted and what is studied and what skills are acquired in the classroom and academic environment. AI for education and in education will have more significant dimensions that require focused and viable models, which will be
at the core of the discussion in this panel. 

2. Economic aspects of Artificial Intelligence application – factors, patterns, expected trends

In this panel, participants will discuss topics related to economic growth and economic efficiency in the context of the development and application of AI technologies in socio-economic life. AI promises to transform many professional functions such as the division of labor and the relationship between workers and physical capital. The importance of researching and studying the impact of AI on tasks performed by skilled labor is particularly significant for achieving economic development. The priority of innovation and AI integration must be combined with the development of robust regulatory frameworks to achieve public trust. Further research on how AI and related technologies can significantly reduce overall and administrative costs is an important area of discussion. What effect will AI have on productivity, economic growth, as well as on the social inclusion and income distribution? The impact on work processes and the labor market will be a key element in answering these questions.

3. Strategic choices for businesses in AI’ context

We observe how artificial intelligence performs administrative and repetitive tasks faster, better and at a lower cost, which take up a significant part of managers‘ time. The main goal of the panel discussion will be strategic thinking regarding the dilemma of how AI will continue to redefine management, what the trends and barriers are for improving industry and enterprise management through AI technologies, and which AI tools should be used and which not. The application of AI in marketing and social media as a resource for studying customer relationships, generating appropriate content and serving as a powerful tool for data analysis will be discussed to identify opportunities for optimizing marketing activities and improving marketing process efficiency. The panel will also discuss policies and opportunities for ensuring appropriate infrastructure for integrating AI with a focus on increasing security in its use.

4. Aspects of AI in organizational development and human resources management

The introduction of artificial intelligence into the business environment triggers a wave of changes that affect not only the operational efficiency of companies but also the psychology of employees. The panel discussion aims to bring together academics with experience and research results, focusing on theoretical and practical aspects, perspectives and global trends, discussion topics covering the use and role of AI in business and organizational psychology, ethics, in human resources management, how AI affects the psychology of employees in a business context, and what strategies can be used to minimize its negative impacts while enhancing the positive aspects of this transformation.

5. Forum for students, doctoral students and young researchers

Doctoral students and young researchers will have the opportunity to present their scientific results, exchange ideas and share experiences in the fields of AI application in education, economy, business and management, organizational psychology and human resource management, as well as how to enhance their expertise. 

Chairman:
Prof. Georgi Apostolov, PhD
Rector of International Business School, Bulgaria

Scientific Secretary: 
Assoc. Prof. Stela Baltova, PhD
Vice-Rector of the International Business School,
Bulgaria

Members

Prof. Milanka Slavova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Maria Vodenska, DrSc
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Veselin Minchev, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Lalka Borisova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Vanche Boikov, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Tsvetan Iliev, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Irina Tsakova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Ivanka Asenova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Stoyan Marinov, PhD
University of Economics – Varna, Bulgaria

Prof. Spartak Keremidchiev, PhD
Economic Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

Prof. Greta Yordanova, PhD
Medical University – Sofia, Bulgaria

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, PhD
Medical University – Varna, Bulgaria

Prof. Elka Vassileva, PhD
University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria

Prof. Maria Neycheva, PhD
Burgas Free University, Bulgaria

Prof. Snezhana Ilieva, DrSc
Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Ivan Andreev, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Daryan Boikov, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Elena Alexandrova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Assoc. Prof. Daniela Georgieva, PhD
Economic Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

Chief Assist. Prof. Atanaska Cholakova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Chief Assist. Prof. Irina Topuzova, PhD
International Business School, Bulgaria

Prof. Alina Badulescu, DrSc
University of Oradea, Romania

Prof. Jamaliah Said, PhD
MARA University of Technology, Malaysia

Prof. Anna Dluzewska, PhD
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland / Durban
University of Technology, South Africa

Prof. Kiymet Caliyurt, PhD
Trakya University, Turkey

Prof. Vita Juknevičienė, PhD
Šiauliai Academy, Vilnius University, Lithuania

Prof. Denis Jelačić, PhD
University of Zagreb, Croatia

Assist. Prof. Nina Angelovska, PhD
University of Scopje, North Macedonia

Dominik Borek, PhD
Warsaw School of Economics, Poland & Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Poland

Chairperson:

Prof. Lalka Borisova, PhD

Chairman of the Technical Committee:

Dimitar Dimitrov

Members

Chief Assist. Prof. Yulian Velkov, PhD

Chief Assist. Prof. Gergana Rashkova, PhD

Chief Assist. Prof. Tsvetelina Nenkova, PhD

Ilian Kostov – Doctoral Student

Margarita Lyubomirova – Doctoral Student

Kaloyan Hristov – Student

*For invoices, the transfer must be made on behalf of the legal entity in whose name the invoice is to be issued.

**The fee is to be paid via bank transfer. In exceptional cases, it can also be paid on-site on the day of the conference after prior notification via email at conference2025@ibsedu.bg 

May 16, 2025 

08:30 – 09:30 Registration

09:30 – 10:30 Conference Opening and Plenary Session

10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 – 11:30 Panel Discussion

11:30 – 11:45 Coffee Break

11:45 – 13:00 Sessions by Sections

13:00 – 14:00 Lumch

14:00 – 15:30 Sessions by Sections

15:30 – 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 – 17:30 Sessions by Sections

17.30 – 18.00 Summary Discussions

18.00 – 20.00 Cocktail and Social Program

May 17, 2025 

9:00 – 11:00 Session by Sections 

11:00 – 11:15 Coffee Break

11:15 – 12:30 Summary by Sections and Discussion with the Moderators of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Certificates for Conference Presentations Concluding Remarks and Closing of the Conference

Download the program HERE

The layout requirements for manuscripts submitted to the publication have been developed in accordance with the BDS standard ISO 690-2021 (Harvard system). The present examples use a consistent system of punctuation and typographical layout.

IBS Publishing House and the Editorial Board of  “Smart future. Artificial Intelligence in education, economics, business and management”  follow the guidelines of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for good practices in the publication process. The publishing house of IBS invites its authors to familiarize themselves with the guidelines of the European Association of Scientific Editors related to the presentation of research data by gender – SAGER Guidelines.

For authors

• The conference proceedings “ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES, MARKET POSITIONING IN TIMES OF CRISIS” accepts only papers submitted solely to it. 
• With the submission of the manuscript, the Author agrees to declare any Conflict-of-Interest.

Preparation and format of the manuscript:

SECTION I: Abstract 

The abstract is sent with the request to participate in the conference in Bulgarian and in English through the registration form. (150 – 200 words)

SЕCTION II: Report

• Manuscripts should be prepared using a standard word processing program.
• The size of reports for Conference proceedings should not exceed 15 standard pages.
• All the appendixes in the form of graphs, tables, illustrations and others should be suitable for reading and attached as a separate file in machine-readable format (.png или .jpeg)
• Specific text formatting (underlining, use of bullets, or tabbing) is not encouraged, except for the layout of tables and other relevant graphics.

• The paper should be prepared for a double-blind peer review procedure, e.g. the first page’s content is the author’s information, incl.: the name of the author/authors, personal scientific identifier (ORCID ID), name of the institution the author belongs to, corresponding address and email address. 

• The second page contains the following information: abstract, title, abstract between 150-200 words,  JEL classification, 3 to 6 keywords.

References

• If the main text is not in Latin, in this section there are two paragraphs listing the literature used in the original and a second section in Latin (References). For this purpose, Cyrillic sources can be transliterated.
• The use of transliteration is allowed in the case where the original Cyrillic source does not indicate an official title in English.
• The transliteration of sources is carried out on the basis of the current standard BDS ISO 9:2001. BDS ISO 9:2001.

EXAMPLES:

• Journal article

REFERENCES

VODENSKA, M. 2019. Tourism Impacts in Bulgarian National Resorts. Research Papers, vol. 11, 68-112. ISSN 1313-0846

• Such a source is cited in the text as: (Vodenska 2019); Vodenska (2019) 

• Journal article with more than one author

EDIN, P-A., P. FREDRIKSSON, M. NYBOM, and B. ÖCKERT. 2022. The Rising Return to Noncognitive Skill. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 14(2), 78-100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20190199. [viewed 2022-05-12].

or

EDIN, P-A. (et al.). 2022. The Rising Return to Noncognitive Skill. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 14(2), 78-100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20190199. [viewed 2022-05-12].

• Such a source is cited in the text as: (Edin, Fredriksson, Nybom, Öckert 2022); Edin, Fredriksson, Nybom, Öckert (2022) or (Edin et al. 2022); Edin et al. (2022)

• Books

RIBOV, M. 2021. New technologies. The next generation. Sofia: UNWE. ISBN 978-619-232-511-4.

or RIBOV, M. 2021. Novite tehnologii. Sledvashtoto pokolenie. Sofia: UNWE. ISBN 978-619-232-511-4.

• Such a source is cited in the text as: (Ribov 2021); Ribov (2021); (Ribov 2021: 59) 

• Translated literature

BAARD, H.P. 1981. Frans Hals. Translated from Dutch to English. George STUYCK (trans.). London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-09150-0

• Online source available through subscription-based platform/database (“Paywall”) or with a level of restriction

The listed references that are available through a subscription-based platform/database must be written following the standard and additionally stating the level and kind of access restriction [paywall]//.

CARLSON, A. & Barbara M. POPE. 2009. The “Big Deal”: A survey of how libraries are responsible and what the alternatives are. Online. The Serials Librarian, 57(4), 380-398. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/03615260903206861. [paywall]. [viewed 2022-05-15].

MAHER, D. 2019. New tendencies in ecology. Online. New York: Backstone Publishing, ISBN 896-8-4125-1234-5. Available from: EBSCOhost. [paywall].

Online newspapers and journals

PAUL, K. 2024. Is the UK really preparing to ban TikTok? Online. The Guardian. ISSN 1756-3224. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/13/will-us-ban-tiktok. [viewed 2024-03-14].

In text: (Paul 2024) or Paul (2021)

Webpages:

Internet forum. Online [2020-06-21]. In: Wikipedia (distributor). Wikimedia foundation. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Internet_forum&oldid=963715582. [viewed 2024-03-14]

*For every other case, that is not highlighted in these Guidelines, Authors should refer to the accepted standard BDS ISO 690-2021. In case of transliteration, the Authors should refer to the current standard BDS ISO 9:2001.

Distance Learning Center (DLC) of International Business School

7, Vincent van Gogh
1407 Sofia
Bulgaria

Telephone: +359 2 4001630/31

e-mail: conference2025@ibsedu.bg

ACCOMMODATION

 All participants are wellcome at Impresamente-Art Hotel (www.impresamente.bg). To reserve a room, please send an email to hotel@impresamente.bg or call +359 898 624 673.

MAP TO CONFERENCE LOCATION

GPS coordinates: 42.65597219365486, 23.317911262524547

HANDBOOK FOR INCOMING GUESTS

200 BGN/100 Euro

Participation with a paper

100 BGN/50 Euro

Participation as a second/third… author

100 BGN/50 Euro

Participation without presenting a paper

*The conference fee for doctoral students and students is reduced by 50%.

**The maximum number of papers per author (individually or in co-authorship) is two, each paper limited to up to 10 pages.

Bank Details for Fee Payments:

Bank Account in EURO: IBAN: BG64UBBS81551489856707

Bank Account in BGN: IBAN: BG76UBBS81551089856718

UBB

Beneficiary: International Business School, Botevgrad
Payment Reference: SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE 2025 and the full name of the participant

*Invoices will be issued with the official name and details of the institution making the bank transfer.

*When issuing an invoice, the transfer must be made on behalf of the legal entity in whose name the invoice is to be issued.

All submitted papers go through similarity check by the StrikePlagiarism System. 
Papers that successfully pass the review procedure will be published in the Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Smart Future: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in education, economy, business and management.

The conference proceedings will be published with open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) and will be registered in the National Reference List of NACID.

The papers will also be included in the
electronic library CEEOL.

All papers will be included in the Bulgarian Portal for Open Science (BPOS).

The conference proceedings will be submitted for review and evaluation for inclusion in Scopus. 

• Researchers’ excellence network (RENET)
• WoodEMA
• German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce 
• BULGARIAN UNION OF BALNEOLOGY AND SPA TOURISM
• Bulgarian News Agenc
• Capital

ISC – Registration Form