Montenegro stands on the threshold of a technological leap — this was the message delivered by global investor Mohamed Alabbar at the second national conference on artificial intelligence in Podgorica, where he stated that his future projects in the country will be fully designed and managed by artificial intelligence. According to him, small states have a unique opportunity to adopt AI faster and more efficiently than large economies, and Montenegro is the ideal candidate.
A small state, a big opportunity: AI as a formula for development
At the opening of the conference "AI DIREKTNO: Crna Gora u vrijeme AI izazova" ("Montenegro in the time of AI challenges"), which took place on December 3, the chairman of the Montenegro Managers Association, Budimir Rajchkovic, emphasized that advanced technologies are becoming the foundation of economic growth in modern small states.
“Our chance is not heavy industry or huge production capacities. Our chance is to catch up with the level of advanced technologies as quickly as possible, and artificial intelligence is at the center of that opportunity,” he said.
Rajchkovic also reminded that Podgorica was recently chosen as the European Youth Capital for 2028, noting that young people should be active participants in digital transformation, not just users.
“If we want reforms and economic growth, we must be faster and more decisive,” he added, stressing the importance of Mohamed Alabbar’s presence as an “ambassador of future investors”.
Alabbar: “Montenegro can become a world leader in AI development”
The conference’s main speaker, founder of Eagle Hills, Emaar and Noon, delivered perhaps the most ambitious words of the day: Montenegro can become the place where one of the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence projects is created.
“I hope that we will create something truly great, powerful and beautiful in Montenegro. It will be created with AI, optimized by AI and managed by AI,” Alabbar emphasized.
According to him, in such projects AI will monitor key quality-of-life parameters — from energy and environmental pollution to safety and childcare — in full compliance with laws and environmental standards. Alabbar also noted that the next stage of global development will be cities fully managed by AI. These, he said, will not just be “smart cities,” but a new form of urbanization where decisions are made faster and more accurately thanks to algorithms.
AI as new talent: the advantage of small countries
Particular attention was drawn to Alabbar’s idea that “talent is now in the machine,” which gives an advantage to small and agile states. He gave an example: in the past, his team needed six months to design a complex covering one million square meters. Now, thanks to AI, it takes just two days. “The design generated by AI is so good that even the best architects could not improve it. And it makes no mistakes,” he said.
Dukaj: “The AI development strategy will change the way we live and work”
Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj confirmed that the first national artificial intelligence strategy, developed in cooperation with experts, the private sector and international partners, will soon be completed. “AI development is not only a technological process, but also a social transformation,” he noted. Dukaj emphasized that the state is strengthening institutions, reinforcing cybersecurity, developing regional cooperation, and also committing to protecting citizens’ privacy and improving public services.
Spajić: “AI can become a development sector on par with tourism and energy”
The economic aspect became a key topic in the conversation between Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and NTP director Valentina Radulović. Spajić stated that AI has already become part of everyday life: “Anyone who uses a smartphone is already using ChatGPT, Grok or other AI tools.” According to him, Montenegro’s major advantage is cheap and accessible electricity.
“Electricity is the fuel for AI. A data center requires one gigawatt. We have enormous hydropower potential — and we must use it.”
The prime minister is also convinced that AI can become a key development sector, comparable in importance to tourism and energy. “AI is not a vertical, but a horizontal. It applies to every industry. Programming is for everyone, and everyone should learn it,” he said. Spajić stressed that Montenegro has a real chance to create a competitive, technology-driven economy if the country manages to combine human capital and energy resources.
Montenegro on the threshold of a technological leap
The conclusion of all conference participants is unequivocal: Montenegro has a chance to become one of the most promising destinations for the development of artificial intelligence in the region and beyond. The combination of global investment, state strategy, young talent and energy resources opens the way to creating a new technological era in which AI can become a driver of modernization, economic growth and the emergence of new industries. If the statements are turned into real projects, the coming years could already mark the beginning of a new technological chapter in Montenegro’s history.