THE INTEGRATION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES INTO INNOVATIVE SMART NATION PROJECTS AND SOLUTIONS

In the current circumstances of accelerated technological and economic evolution, the success of nations depends on the level of education in their society, as well as its imminent consequences, such as the performance of human capital revealed by the efficiency of innovative solutions adopted to understand and address community issues with the aim of increasing social welfare. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to integrate and exploit emerging technologies (such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality etc.) in innovative Smart Nation projects adopted in the fields of education and research, as well as in areas that focus on solving and optimizing issues in other community services. Using literature review research methodology, this research argues that Romania, with its historical commitment to impactful projects such as Smart Nation (i.e. Spiru Haret’s “education reforms” and Dimitrie Gusti’s “Science of the Nation”), stands poised to leverage its competitive edge in implementing contemporary initiatives. Today, for the successful adoption of Smart Nation projects and solutions, it is necessary for government and private entities to generate multidisciplinary collaboration platforms that use and exploit technological advancements to achieve two main objectives. Thus, Smart Nation projects and solutions would ensure the functions of accumulating, generating, and disseminating knowledge and innovation (technological and social), with the aim of developing human capital and translating these strategic advantages (knowledge, innovation, human capital) into innovative products and services for understanding and solving societal issues, ultimately contributing to the increase of community welfare.