North Macedonia Joins Europe’s AI Supercomputing Network
By Suad Seferi ·
North Macedonia is taking a major step toward joining Europe’s artificial intelligence infrastructure network through VEZILKA, its first national artificial intelligence center. The initiative is designed to connect the country with European AI Factories and provide access to advanced computing resources that are essential for modern AI development. The project is especially important because artificial intelligence is no longer driven only by software talent. To build powerful AI systems, countries need access to large datasets, specialized expertise and high-performance computing infrastructure. For smaller economies, building all of this independently is expensive and difficult. VEZILKA gives North Macedonia a way to connect with a wider European network instead of developing in isolation. Through the European Union’s EuroHPC AI Factory Antennas initiative, VEZILKA is expected to act as a bridge between North Macedonia and AI-optimized supercomputing resources across Europe. The center is also connected strategically with the PHAROS AI Factory in Greece, creating a regional link that could help Macedonian researchers, startups and institutions access stronger technical capacity. This connection matters because high-performance computing is one of the foundations of serious AI work. Training and testing advanced models requires far more computing power than ordinary computers can provide. Without access to such infrastructure, local AI teams are often limited to smaller experiments or forced to depend entirely on foreign commercial platforms. For North Macedonia’s universities, VEZILKA could create new opportunities for scientific research. Researchers working on language technologies, healthcare, engineering, energy, agriculture or public policy could use better AI infrastructure to develop more ambitious projects. This could also help the country participate more actively in European research programs. For startups, the center could reduce one of the biggest barriers to innovation: the cost of computing power. Many young technology companies have strong ideas but cannot afford the infrastructure needed to train or test AI models. If VEZILKA provides practical access, local startups may be able to move faster from concept to prototype and from prototype to market. The project also has clear value for the public sector. Artificial intelligence could help public institutions improve services, analyze data, detect inefficiencies and support better decision-making. However, this requires secure infrastructure and responsible governance. By working within a European AI framework, North Macedonia can benefit from technical support while also following standards for trustworthy and ethical AI. The regional connection with Greece is also significant. Instead of treating AI development as a purely national effort, VEZILKA places North Macedonia inside a cross-border innovation ecosystem. This could encourage cooperation between universities, companies and institutions in the wider region, especially in areas where countries face similar challenges. A key part of the project will be skills development. Infrastructure alone is not enough if there are not enough engineers, researchers, public officials and business leaders who understand how to use it. VEZILKA will need to support training, education and practical cooperation so that AI becomes useful beyond a small group of specialists. The center could also help North Macedonia avoid dependence on imported AI systems that do not understand local needs. By building domestic capacity and connecting it with European infrastructure, the country can develop solutions that are more suitable for Macedonian language, institutions, companies and citizens. Still, the success of the project will depend on implementation. VEZILKA must become accessible to real users, not only exist as a formal institution. Startups, researchers and public bodies will need clear procedures, support programs and practical guidance on how to use the resources available through the center. North Macedonia’s connection to Europe’s AI supercomputing network shows that the country is trying to position itself inside the next phase of digital transformation. If VEZILKA becomes an active and useful platform, it could help the country move from AI ambition to real AI development. In the coming years, the impact of the project will be measured by results: new research, better public services, stronger startups, Macedonian-language AI tools and practical applications that citizens and businesses can feel. The launch of VEZILKA is only the beginning; the real test will be how effectively North Macedonia uses this European connection to build its own AI future.