What It Would Take for Bosnia & Herzegovina to Produce an AI Unicorn
Speaker: Elvir Čaušević
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine global economies, the race to build the next generation of billion-dollar companies is accelerating. For smaller countries and emerging ecosystems, the question is no longer whether participation in the AI revolution is possible—but what it truly takes to compete at the highest level.
In this thought-provoking keynote at FLS 2025, Elvir Čaušević challenges conventional narratives around innovation and success, asking a deeper and more uncomfortable question: What would Bosnia and Herzegovina need to become in order to produce a globally competitive AI unicorn?
Beyond Capital and Talent
While access to funding and technical expertise are often cited as the primary ingredients for building high-growth AI startups, this session argues that they are only part of the equation. Elvir Čaušević invites the audience to look beyond surface-level explanations and explore the structural, cultural, and institutional factors that shape long-term success.
From education systems and public policy to trust in institutions and risk-taking culture, the keynote examines how ecosystems are built—and why some countries consistently outperform others in creating globally relevant companies.
Ecosystems, Institutions, and Leadership
At the core of this discussion lies a fundamental shift in perspective: AI unicorns are not created in isolation. They emerge from coherent ecosystems, supported by forward-thinking institutions and guided by purpose-driven leadership.
The session explores what kind of leadership, governance, and societal mindset are required to support innovation at scale, and how Bosnia and Herzegovina can move from fragmented efforts toward a more intentional, collaborative approach to technological development.
Rethinking Success in the Age of AI
Perhaps most importantly, this keynote challenges the audience to reconsider whether producing an AI unicorn should be the ultimate benchmark of national success. Is valuation the only metric that matters—or should impact, resilience, and long-term societal value play an equally important role?
By reframing the conversation, Elvir Čaušević opens space for a broader, more nuanced understanding of progress in the AI era—one that aligns economic ambition with social responsibility.
A Call for Strategic Reflection
This session is not about quick wins or buzzwords. It is an invitation to reflect strategically on the future Bosnia and Herzegovina wants to build, and the choices required to get there. For policymakers, founders, investors, and young leaders alike, it offers a roadmap grounded in realism, ambition, and purpose.