Budapest, September 22, 2025 — Artificial intelligence has become a decisive factor for Hungary’s economic competitiveness, and targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be essential to harness its potential, according to Rigó Csaba Balázs, president of the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH).
Speaking at an international conference organized by the Public Procurement Authority to mark its 30th anniversary, Rigó highlighted both the opportunities and sovereignty issues tied to AI adoption. He pointed to a landmark May 2025 commitment by Microsoft, secured following a GVH investigation, under which the US tech giant agreed to create a database of at least 10 billion Hungarian word combinations to train AI systems. This dataset will also be made available for integration into other AI-based platforms.
“This pioneering development could dramatically improve the capabilities of Hungarian-language AI applications,” Rigó said, framing the agreement as a milestone for national data sovereignty, cultural identity, and security.
The GVH chief also underlined the importance of market analyses in ensuring fair competition. In 2024, the authority was among the first EU competition regulators to complete a comprehensive study on the impact of AI on market dynamics and consumer decision-making. The study noted that global tech firms rarely design products specifically for the Hungarian market, underscoring the need for localized AI development.
Rigó welcomed the recently revised national AI strategy, noting that many elements aligned with GVH’s recommendations. He stressed that the authority supports initiatives that safeguard fair competition while helping Hungarian SMEs integrate AI solutions.
“The correct application of AI technologies is now a fundamental factor of competitiveness,” he said.
