Serbia’s First AI Law Expected by 2026
By Suad Seferi ·
BELGRADE — Serbia is preparing to adopt its first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence, marking one of the country’s most important steps so far in regulating the fast-growing AI sector. The proposed law is expected to be introduced by the end of 2026 and will create a formal legal framework for how artificial intelligence systems are developed, used and supervised in both the public and private sectors. The new regulation is expected to be largely aligned with the European Union’s AI Act, currently considered one of the most advanced artificial intelligence laws in the world. For Serbia, this means the country is trying to move closer to European digital standards while also creating rules that fit the needs of its own technology market. The future law will focus especially on AI systems that can directly affect citizens’ rights, safety or access to important services. These include systems used in healthcare, education, employment, security, recruitment, finance and public administration. In practice, this could include algorithms that support medical decisions, software used in hiring processes, tools that assess loan applications, or AI systems used by institutions to process large amounts of personal or sensitive data. One of the key ideas behind the planned law is the classification of AI systems according to risk. Low-risk systems would face fewer obligations, while high-risk systems would have to meet stricter standards related to transparency, safety, documentation and human oversight. Certain uses of AI could also be restricted or prohibited if they are considered too dangerous or harmful. A central principle of the future framework is that artificial intelligence should not replace human responsibility in sensitive decisions. Instead, AI should be used as a support tool, while the final decision in important cases should remain under human control. This is especially relevant in sectors where mistakes or bias could have serious consequences for individuals. The law is also expected to give Serbian companies clearer rules for developing and selling AI-based products. Until now, Serbia has relied mostly on strategy documents, general digital policy and existing sectoral regulations. A dedicated AI law would create more legal certainty for startups, IT companies, researchers and investors. Supporters of the new framework argue that regulation does not have to slow innovation. On the contrary, clear rules could help companies build more trustworthy products and prepare for cooperation with European partners. Since many Serbian technology companies already work with EU clients, alignment with European standards could become an advantage rather than a burden. At the same time, the law will need to avoid creating unnecessary pressure on smaller companies and startups. If compliance becomes too expensive or complicated, young AI firms could struggle to compete. That is why one of the biggest challenges for lawmakers will be to protect citizens without blocking innovation. The preparation of the law is connected to Serbia’s broader artificial intelligence strategy, which aims to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem by 2030. The country has already shown interest in building AI capacity through education, research, infrastructure and cooperation with European initiatives. If adopted as expected, the law would place Serbia among the countries in the region taking a more structured approach to artificial intelligence governance. It would also signal that AI is no longer treated only as a technological opportunity, but as an area that requires clear rules, accountability and public trust. For citizens, the most important question will be whether the law can ensure that AI systems are safe, fair and transparent. For businesses, the key issue will be whether regulation can provide stability without limiting growth. For the state, the challenge will be implementation: writing a law is only the first step, while enforcement, expertise and institutional capacity will determine how effective the framework becomes in practice.