Fourth Edition of the MoStart Conference: Record Number of Experts Discuss the Future of Education and Artificial Intelligence

The fourth edition of the International Conference on Digital Transformation in Education and the Application of Artificial Intelligence, MoStart, gathered a large number of participants already on the first day of the program, dedicated to education. This year, the conference once again brings together leading experts, researchers, practitioners, and educators from the country and abroad, who exchange ideas, experiences, and modern practices in applying new technologies in the educational process through lectures, workshops, and panel discussions.

The official opening of the conference took place in the SUMIT building at the Rodoč campus, where the three-day program—held from April 22 to 24—connects education, technology, and science. This year’s edition brings together around 80 speakers, ranging from founders of global technology products and leaders of major regional IT companies to ministers of education, teachers, and international scientists.

At the opening ceremony, the importance of connecting different sectors in the process of digital transformation was emphasized. In his introductory address, the Rector of the University of Mostar, Prof. Dr. Ivo Čolak, highlighted the distinctive identity of the conference. “Each beginning of the MoStart conference carries a special energy that sets it apart from similar events. This year, that energy is even stronger—the conference is truly dynamic, vibrant, and rich in content,” said Rector Čolak.

Growth of the Conference and Expansion of the Digital Ecosystem

The continuous growth of the conference is particularly evident this year through the number of participants, the richness of content, and the expanding network of partnerships surrounding MoStart. This was highlighted by the Vice-Rector for Digitalization and Technology Transfer and Head of SUMIT, Prof. Dr. Tomislav Volarić, who noted that this year’s edition confirms increasing interest and organizational complexity. He emphasized that the conference brings together more than 800 participants, with demand for certain sessions exceeding venue capacities, while the presence of Google representatives further confirms its international dimension.

“These figures are truly impressive for us, especially considering the size of the University. It was not easy to achieve this, and it is certainly not accidental—it is the result of systematic work and collaboration,” said Volarić. Speaking about the broader context, he highlighted the development of a digital ecosystem connecting education and public administration.

“We are working on the digitalization not only of education but also of public administration, reaching a large number of users in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This sends a strong message about our role and responsibility. Artificial intelligence can improve many things, but an event like this—bringing together a large number of people over three days and offering a high-quality program—is прежде svega the result of people working together,” he concluded.

The Director of CARNET, Hrvoje Puljiz, emphasized the importance of continuity in cooperation in developing digital infrastructure and educational systems, noting that a new phase of joint activities is underway, especially in collaboration with the University of Mostar and through projects developed within SUMIT. “We are entering a new phase in which, as a national coordination center, we will work on implementing plans and initiatives already underway, as well as their further development in line with the European framework. We will continue to build partnerships and provide support in projects of digital transformation in education and science,” said Puljiz.

Official Opening of the Conference

The ceremonial part of the program concluded with an address by Darijana Filipović, a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who emphasized the importance of digital transformation and the role of MoStart and SUMIT as key development platforms. “Digital transformation and artificial intelligence are not just technological issues. They are a way of understanding new social relationships that are already shaping our reality and will significantly determine our future,” said Filipović.

“Digitalization is no longer an option but an imperative—whether we are talking about modernizing public administration, developing education systems, or creating an environment where young people will stay and grow,” she added.

Keynote Panel and Project Presentations

Following the opening, a keynote panel titled “On the Road to MoStart – A Year of Tectonic IT Changes” was held, bringing together prominent representatives of the technology sector and academia. Participants included Damir Sabol, Director of Software Engineering at Google; Prof. Dr. Drago Žagar from FERIT and President of the Croatian Institute for Cybersecurity; and the panel was moderated by Dragan Petric.

The program also featured presentations of the winning projects from the Smart Campus Hackathon and the Code Challenge Hackathon, further highlighting the importance of encouraging innovation, practical knowledge, and working with young people in the field of digital technologies.

Education Day: Focus on AI in Teaching and Digital Safety

The Education Day gathered teachers, school principals, and education policymakers through a program of lectures, panels, and workshops dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence in teaching and digital security. Topics included children’s online safety, the growing role of AI in classrooms, and the need to develop digital literacy as a key competency in modern education.

Interactive Zones and Experiential Learning

Throughout the day, interactive zones in front of the SUMIT building attracted significant attention, once again becoming one of the liveliest parts of the conference. In the CARNET zone, BrAIn curricula on artificial intelligence were presented, while participants could try VR headsets, watch live 3D printing, and explore how AI can support lesson planning and implementation through the AI Playground. The “Security in Every Click” zone and the SWITCH student association stand also generated strong interest.

Within the higher education section, discussions focused on university digitalization, information system security, and the future of hybrid teaching. This included the panel “From Classroom to Platform: How Digitalization Is Changing Higher Education,” featuring representatives from several universities, as well as the panel “IT in the Service of Higher Education,” which addressed the development and security of information systems and their role in improving teaching, research, and the student experience.

The Education Day concluded with a discussion on the future of education in the context of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that technological progress must be accompanied by a responsible approach and the preservation of the key role of teachers in the educational process. The conference program continues with IT Day on Thursday.