AGP Executive Report

Driver-Assistance Rules: Tesla has renamed “Full Self-Driving” to “Assisted Driving” on its Slovak website after regulators objected to the misleading name. The system still requires drivers to stay alert, and Slovakia was expected to become the ninth EU country to allow it. Battery Industry: Volkswagen has taken a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project, a significant move for the country’s electric-vehicle supply chain. Medical Research: Slovakia and Iceland are planning joint work on mental health, prevention and medical education; 178 Icelandic students are currently studying medicine in Martin. Homegrown Science: Slovak student Filip Lajčiak has built an affordable microscope system that creates 3D models of tiny objects without damaging samples. Digital Commerce: Slovak firm Innovatrics is helping bring round-the-clock shopping to unstaffed stores using identity verification.

Driver-Assistance Rules: Tesla has replaced “Full Self-Driving” with “Tesla Assisted Driving” on its Slovak website after regulators said the old name could mislead drivers. Motorists must still supervise the system; Slovakia is expected to become the ninth EU country to approve it. AI Adoption: Generative AI is used by 27.1% of Slovakia’s working-age population, below Hungary, Poland and Czechia, according to Microsoft data. Slovak Innovation: Student Filip Lajciak has built an affordable microscope system that creates 3D models of tiny objects without damaging samples. Battery Industry: Volkswagen has taken a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project, a significant step for the country’s emerging battery sector. Digital Services: Slovak firm Innovatrics’ identity-verification technology is helping bring round-the-clock shopping to unstaffed stores in Slovakia.

Driver-Assistance Rules: Tesla has renamed “Full Self-Driving” to “Tesla Assisted Driving” on its Slovak and other European websites after regulators said the old name overstated the system’s abilities. Germany is backing an EU approval push with a proposed speed limit of 10% above the posted limit. Microscope Innovation: Slovak student Filip Lajciak has built an affordable microscope system that creates 3D models of tiny objects without damaging samples. Battery Investment: Volkswagen has taken a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project, strengthening the country’s role in Europe’s battery industry. Aerospace Manufacturing: Chinese supplier Hangyu Technology has scrapped a planned €105 million Košice-region factory and is moving the project to Morocco, citing delays and uncertainty in Slovak approval procedures. AI Adoption: Generative AI use among Slovakia’s working-age population reached 27.1%, below Hungary, Poland and Czechia, according to Microsoft data.

Driver Assistance: Tesla has rebranded “Full Self-Driving” as “Tesla Assisted Driving” on European sites, including Slovakia, amid concerns the old name overstated the system’s abilities. Slovakia expects to approve the technology soon, but drivers remain responsible. Student Innovation: Slovak student Filip Lajciak won a $6,000 award at ISEF for an affordable microscope system that builds 3D models of tiny samples without damaging them. AI Adoption: Generative AI is used by 27.1% of Slovakia’s working-age population, below Hungary, Poland and Czechia, according to Microsoft. Digital Identity: Bratislava-based Innovatrics has integrated document and selfie checks into Slovak signing platform DigiSign, expanding remote identity verification. Technology Investment: Volkswagen is taking a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project, while Chinese aerospace supplier Hangyu scrapped a planned €105 million Košice-area facility and shifted the project to Morocco after approval delays. Cybersecurity: Slovak firm ESET reports that Russia-aligned hackers used evolving malware against Ukrainian transport, manufacturing and energy companies.

Aerospace Investment: Chinese manufacturer Hangyu Technology has abandoned its planned €105 million production base in Slovakia’s Košice region, citing delays and uncertainty, and plans to move the project to Morocco. Driver Assistance: Slovakia expects to approve Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system within days, joining eight other EU countries; drivers will remain responsible for the vehicle. Biometrics: Bratislava-based Innovatrics is helping COOP Jednota run 24/7 unstaffed stores, using ID and selfie checks to let customers enter with an app-generated QR code. Slovak Innovation: Student Filip Lajciak won a $6,000 ISEF award for an affordable microscope system that builds 3D models of tiny samples without damaging them. Cybersecurity: Slovakia-based ESET reports that Russia-aligned hackers have refined malware used to target Ukrainian transport, manufacturing and energy firms. Battery Manufacturing: Volkswagen is joining Slovakia’s Šurany battery project with a 49% stake, adding a major industrial technology investment to the country’s pipeline.

Driver Assistance: Slovakia expects to approve Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system within days, joining eight other EU countries that have authorised it nationally; drivers will remain responsible for the car. Biometrics: Bratislava-based Innovatrics is extending identity checks into DigiSign’s online signing process, while its technology also enables 24/7 access to unmanned COOP Jednota stores. Student Science: Filip Lajciak, a student from Dubnica nad Váhom, won an ISEF award for an affordable microscope system that builds non-destructive 3D models of tiny objects. Biotech: Slovak-founded Sensible Biotechnologies raised $47 million to develop cell-based mRNA manufacturing, with up to $20 million in potential Slovak government and EU funding. Battery Industry: Volkswagen is taking a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project, strengthening the country’s role in Europe’s EV supply chain. Cybersecurity: ESET researchers traced the evolution of MATCHBOIL malware used by a Russia-aligned group in cyberattacks on Ukrainian organisations.

Student Innovation: Slovak student Filip Lajciak won a $6,000 ISEF award for an affordable microscope that builds 3D models of tiny samples without damaging them. Retail Tech: Bratislava-based Innovatrics is powering face-and-ID verification for COOP Jednota’s 24/7 unmanned stores, with customers using a QR code to enter. Biotech: Slovak-founded Sensible Biotechnologies raised $47 million to expand its cell-based mRNA medicines platform, with up to $20 million in potential funding from Slovakia and the EU. Health Tech: Powerful Medical and corpuls are partnering to bring AI-assisted heart attack detection to prehospital care. Battery Industry: Volkswagen has taken a 49% stake in Slovakia’s Šurany battery project.

Biotech: Slovakia-linked Sensible Biotechnologies raised $47 million to scale its mRNA medicines platform, with up to $20 million in potential funding from the Slovak government and EU. The company uses engineered cells and AI-assisted design to develop mRNA treatments. Battery Manufacturing: Volkswagen has taken a 49% stake in the Šurany battery project, strengthening Slovakia’s role in Europe’s battery supply chain. Electric Vehicles: Hyundai WIA has opened a Slovak plant as it expands production for the European EV market. Research: Slovak scientists contributed to a study of a newly identified four-winged dinosaur, whose fossils suggest flight evolved along a different path from birds. At the University of Prešov, researchers used CT scans to identify a weapon fragment in a 16th-century Bratislava skeleton.

AI & Elections: A new US-focused analysis argues political deepfakes haven’t “swamped” American politics yet, pointing to state laws and real penalties as the main reason. Slovakia Media Tech: Denník N is reviving FM radio as an “old-fashioned” audio channel, after a pay-what-you-want push drove 10,000 subscribers in four days. Biotech Funding (Slovakia): Sensible Biotechnologies raised $47M to scale its AI-enabled, cell-based mRNA platform, with up to €20M non-dilutive support from Slovakia and the EU. Robotics: Minerva Humanoids emerged from stealth with a $10M pre-seed to build semi-autonomous humanoid robots for hazardous jobs. Public Health Watch: Russia reports no confirmed plague among contacts after a Siberian lab worker’s death; ECDC says there’s no sign of sustained human-to-human spread. Archaeology (Bratislava): CT scans helped identify a medieval stiletto dagger fragment found in a Bratislava skeleton. Aviation Milestone: Morocco’s first F-16 Block 72 has flown, advancing its most advanced Viper configuration.

Disinformation Watch: A fake anti-corruption “NABU raid” story about $140M in cash spread via an impersonation website and vanished fast, AFP says it’s fabricated—highlighting how quickly online narratives can be weaponized across Europe. Slovakia Tech & Policy: The Foreign Ministry launched RegVIS, a new visa registration website to streamline Slovak visa applications (already available to universities and research institutions). Biotech Funding: Sensible Biotechnologies raised $47M to scale its AI-enabled, naturally modified mRNA platform, including EU- and Slovak-backed non-dilutive support. Robotics Roundup: Minerva Humanoids emerged from stealth with a $10M pre-seed to build semi-autonomous humanoid robots for hazardous jobs. Energy Storage Business: ESS Inc’s energy-storage pivot continues after mixed public-market fortunes, with a shift toward sodium-ion batteries. Local Tech Industry: Leyard Europe expanded its UK and Ireland team, pointing to growing LED display demand and its Prešov manufacturing link. EU/Slovakia Finance: Slovakia opposes EU confiscation of frozen Russian sovereign funds, warning against involvement that could create obligations. Science in Slovakia: A Bratislava cemetery excavation used CT scanning to identify a medieval weapon fragment in one skeleton.

Slovakia Visa Tech: The Foreign Ministry has launched RegVIS, a new visa registration website to make Slovak national visa applications more transparent and efficient, starting with universities and research institutions from Oct 1 and moving to employer access in a later phase. Cyber & AI Leadership: Yettel Hungary appointed Csaba Saranyik as Director of Data & AI, aiming to accelerate data-driven operations and digital innovation. Energy Storage Security: A new industry push argues EU cybersecurity rules for battery energy storage systems still have gaps, warning inconsistent implementation is slowing deployment. EU Media Funding: A report says EU journalism money is not reaching local and independent outlets enough, raising alarms ahead of the 2028–2032 budget talks. Defense & Drones: Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan ran a major joint drill focused on drone warfare, electronic attacks and maritime operations, reflecting how fast unmanned systems are reshaping readiness. EV Batteries in Slovakia: Volkswagen is set to take a larger stake in Gotion’s Šurany LFP battery plant, a move meant to ease concerns around the Chinese-backed venture. Apple Prices: Apple One Family prices rose in Slovakia and several other European countries, with new subscribers paying immediately.

Slovakia’s Battery Push: Volkswagen is set to take a 49% stake via PowerCo in Gotion’s Šurany lithium-iron-phosphate battery plant, a move aimed at easing concerns over the Chinese-backed venture as construction runs behind schedule. EU Security Politics: Brussels is moving toward a possible ban on the ESN political party after a compliance review that could cost it EU funding and registration. Data & AI in Telecom: Yettel Hungary appoints Csaba Saranyik as Director of Data & AI to drive data-driven operations and digital innovation. Cyber + Energy Storage: A new industry push argues EU cybersecurity rules for battery energy storage systems need clearer roles and faster, more consistent implementation to avoid delays. Slovak Visa Access: Slovakia launches the first stage of a new RegVIS visa registration portal for universities and research institutions, with appointment booking starting in November. Clean Energy in the Region: Romania’s VIFOR Wind Farm hits 192 MW in its first phase, with the full 461 MW project due to finish in 2027. Tech & Society: A study finds Europe’s rivers are improving, but only Slovenia is cleaning fast enough to meet 2030 water targets. Game Tech: IO Interactive releases a free 007: First Light DLC update adding New Game+ and a Valhalla driving TacSim mission.

Slovakia Visa Tech: Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Ministry has launched the first stage of its new visa registration portal, RegVIS, letting Slovak universities and research institutions register students and researchers from Oct. 1, with appointment booking starting Nov. 1 and a second stage planned for Slovak employers. AI & Data Leadership: Yettel Hungary appoints Csaba Saranyik as Director of Data & AI from Oct. 1, tasking him with advancing the company’s data and AI strategy across Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. AI Deepfakes & Politics: A new debate piece argues political deepfakes have disrupted elections globally (including claims about Slovakia), while the US hasn’t seen the worst scenarios thanks to stricter state rules. Energy & Renewables: Rezolv Energy energised the first 192 MW phase of Romania’s 461 MW VIFOR Wind Farm, with phase two due in 2027. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovakia, push back against cuts to farm and cohesion funding in the 2028–2034 budget talks. Space Education in Slovakia’s Orbit: A NASA-linked citizen science program is getting students involved in plant-growing research for long-duration space missions. Cyber-Events Expansion: Evolution Dome appoints Cyber Event as its official Romania distributor, with rollout planned across 16 more territories including Slovakia.

Slovakia Visa Tech: The Foreign and European Affairs Ministry launched the first stage of RegVIS, a new visa registration portal to make Slovak national visa applications more transparent and efficient—universities and research institutions can register students and researchers from Oct. 1, with appointment booking from Nov. 1, and a second stage planned for Slovak employers. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovakia, pushed back against cuts to farm and cohesion funding in the 2028–2034 budget talks, setting up a direct confrontation with Germany and others. Central Europe Tech Industry: Volkswagen’s PowerCo and China’s Gotion agreed to create three battery joint ventures in Spain, Slovakia, and Morocco to expand LFP battery production. Cyber/Events Expansion: Evolution Dome appointed Cyber Event as its official distributor in Romania, with rollout across 16 more countries including Slovakia. STEM in Space: A NASA-linked citizen science program is giving Rainbow Middle School students hands-on plant growth experiments, sending data to NASA’s Space Crop Production team. Defense Tech in the Region: Czech Army Drone Shield 2026 is testing drones and anti-drone tech with NATO observers, including Slovakia.

Slovakia Visa Tech: Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Ministry has launched the first stage of a new visa registration portal (RegVIS) to make national visa applications for universities and research institutions more transparent, with data checks for accuracy and duplicates and appointment booking starting Nov 1. Central Europe Tech Diplomacy: V4+India talks on the UN sidelines agreed to hold annual foreign-minister meetings and an annual business forum focused on technology, defence, space, and connectivity. AI & Elections: A new look at political deepfakes argues the US hasn’t seen the worst election-manipulation scenarios thanks to tough state rules and real penalties. Energy & Climate: Rezolv Energy energised the first phase of Romania’s 461 MW VIFOR Wind Farm (192 MW), with phase two due in 2027. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovakia, push back against cuts to farm and cohesion funding in the 2028–2034 budget talks. Cyber/Events Expansion: Evolution Dome appointed Cyber Event as its official distributor in Romania, expanding temporary structure deployments across 16 more countries including Slovakia. Accessibility in E-commerce: A review of EU enforcement of the European Accessibility Act found checkout accessibility issues still trigger fines, with Dutch checks failing to complete orders at 61% of large webshops.

Slovakia Tech & Policy: Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Ministry has launched the first stage of a new visa registration portal (RegVIS), letting Slovak universities and research institutions register incoming students and researchers from Oct 1, with appointment booking from Nov 1 and a second stage planned for employers. AI & Security: A new joint statement on Iran’s nuclear programme was released by a large group of countries, while Ukraine’s president again warned that Russian drone escalation still depends on foreign components—so sanctions need tightening. Cyber & Events: Evolution Dome has appointed Cyber Event as its official Romania distributor, with rollout planned across 16 more countries including Slovakia, aiming to scale temporary event structures across Central and Eastern Europe. Energy & Climate: Rezolv Energy energised the first phase of Romania’s 461 MW VIFOR Wind Farm (192 MW), with phase two due in 2027. EU Funding Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovakia, pushed back against cuts to farm and cohesion spending in the bloc’s next budget talks. Deepfakes Watch: A report argues that political deepfakes have hit elections worldwide, but the US hasn’t seen the worst scenarios thanks to stricter state laws.