Artificial Intelligence in the Western Balkans: Economic Impact, Ethical Challenges, and Regulatory Frameworks

This paper explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the economies of the Western Balkans, focusing on research contributions from the past five years. It highlights the role of AI in the public sector and its potential to exacerbate economic inequality, especially among low-educated workers. The paper examines the ICT sector's potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and regional exports, while comparing regulatory frameworks related to data protection and AI implementation. Finally, it provides recommendations based on EU and AI regulation to support sustainable AI development in the region.