Today, AmCham Romania organized its first AI & Privacy Forum, bringing together policy-makers, business leaders, and academic experts for a forward-looking discussion on how artificial intelligence and data protection frameworks can coexist and reinforce each other to drive competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth. 

The Forum opened with a shared understanding that AI represents a paradigm shift unlike any previous technological wave, one that requires collaboration between regulators, companies, and citizens to ensure trust, transparency, and responsible use. 

Cerasela Baiculescu, AmCham Romania Vice-president:  “As AI is no longer an experiment, but rather an integral part of business models, operations, and customer interactions, our interest is in how this powerful technological wave is reshaping the way we do business and expanding the value chains of our member companies in Romania. Our goal is clear: not to miss this wave, but to build on it — to strengthen competitiveness, drive innovation, and ensure that Romania captures its fair share of AI-driven growth.”

Nedim Baytorun, Member of the Board and Chair of the AmCham Data Protection & Privacy Forum, acknowledged that companies in Romania are endeavouring to catch up with the using and AI and making it a strategic differentiator, not just a technological tool.  “In this context, this forum is not about abstract policy debates. It’s about how companies are actually implementing AI -responsibly, ethically, safely, and competitively -within the frameworks defined by the AI Act, AI Code of Practice, the GDPR, the broader Digital Decade goals, all of which regulate how data is collected, processed, and safeguarded in AI systems.”

Panel I – AI&GDPR interplay 

The first panel, featuring representatives from ANCOM, ANSPDCP, Microsoft, Meta, IBM, Synevo, Academia, focused on the complex relationship between AI innovation and data protection within the European and global landscape. 

Speakers underlined that Europe stands at a crossroads, needing to update its digital governance frameworks to remain competitive while maintaining its ethical and privacy standards. The upcoming Digital Omnibus initiative was highlighted as a key opportunity to adapt the current regulatory framework, including GDPR, to the realities of AI development. 

Discussions also touched upon Romania’s potential to become an “AI maker,” building on its strong digital infrastructure, talented workforce, and emerging technology ecosystem. The panel concluded that education, legal clarity, and trust will be decisive factors for responsible AI adoption in Romania and across Europe. 

Panel II – Unlocking the value of AI in Business, and in Romania 

The second panel gathered speakers from ADR, Politehnica University of Bucharest, Raiffeisen Bank, UiPath, FLOWX.AI, Genezio, and Endpoint Labs, exploring how AI can enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation while keeping people at the center of the process. 

Discussions highlighted how AI is already reshaping industries—from finance and public administration to healthcare and digital services—through automation, smarter and faster decision-making, and improved customer experience. Panelists agreed that AI should be a tool that augments human potential, rather than replacing it, emphasizing the importance of upskilling, change management, and ethical governance. 

As one speaker summarized, “AI will not replace people, but those who use AI will.” 

Key Takeaways 

• The EU’s regulatory frameworks must evolve to support innovation without compromising data protection. 
• Romania has strong potential to become an AI innovation hub, leveraging infrastructure and talent. 
• Human-centric AI ensures technology serves people, not the other way around. 
• Digital literacy and education are essential for inclusion and competitiveness. 
• Collaboration between public authorities, private sector, and academia will define Romania’s AI journey. 

The AI & Privacy Forum marks another step in AmCham Romania’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue on technology, governance, and competitiveness, fostering a responsible and forward-looking business environment. 

Follow @AmCham Romania on LinkedIn for more highlights from the AI & Privacy Forum and AmCham updates