On June 5th, the Gábor Dénes University opened the Gábor Dénes Memorial Year with a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference. The event aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of AI, announcing numerous programs for professionals, market players, and students committed to innovation over the next year.
In 2025, the university established the Gábor Dénes University Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Centre (GDE-MIT) and developed the “AI, we come” training material, a free, online AI course accessible to everyone. This initiative underscores the university’s commitment to disseminating AI-related knowledge.
The sold-out conference saw more than thirty leading experts share their insights, including domestic and international market players, as well as many government and public administration specialists. This broad participation clearly indicates that the field of AI can be a key international breakthrough point for Hungary and holds high priority at the governmental level.
László Palkovics, Government Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence and Managing Director of ZalaZONE, emphasized at the conference: “Hungary’s goal is not merely to be a user, but an active shaper of the artificial intelligence era. Our country now starts from stronger foundations than many might have assumed, and the new AI strategy, soon to be adopted by the government, will further strengthen national technological sovereignty.” He added that in addition to development, education receives special attention, as evidenced by the open AI basic training developed by Gábor Dénes University, which is accessible to everyone. According to László Palkovics, artificial intelligence is not a source of fear but an opportunity, and Hungary possesses all the necessary resources – data assets, intellectual capacity, and a regulatory environment – required for its safe and successful application.
Dr. Ferenc Dietz, President of Gábor Dénes University, recalled that the intellectual legacy of Nobel laureate physicist Dénes Gábor, who created the theoretical foundations of holography in 1947 and received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971, is a living reality that inspires and guides them. The President pointed out that holography has become a visual language for a new, holistic understanding of the world, connecting humans with machines, physical space with the virtual world, and perception with understanding. He stated that Gábor Dénes University is actively seeking answers to the challenges posed by AI, which led to the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Centre in 2025. Their goal is to assist society, businesses, and public administration in better utilizing the benefits of AI through AI research, application development, and knowledge sharing. The conference focused on knowledge sharing, launching the “AI, we come” initiative, and announcing the Dennis Gabor AI Hackathon for young students, researchers, and innovators.
During the presentations, trilateral cooperation agreements and letter of intent were also signed, marking an important milestone for GDE, GDE-MIT, and their contracting partners. These agreements are built on reciprocity and the synergy of education, theory, and practice.
On behalf of Autóipari Próbapálya Zala Kft., Sarolta Halász, Managing Director, signed a cooperation agreement with the leadership of Gábor Dénes University and the Gábor Dénes University Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Centre. The agreement aims to effectively organize scientific research activities at the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground and its surrounding high-tech environment, thereby contributing to Hungary’s scientific potential.