The ČERNÁ.AI Revolution is Gaining Momentum
36 ǀ POSITIV MAN
The ČERNÁ.AI
Revoluon is Gaining Momentum
From music and lm to IT and arcial intelligence – Dalibor Mráz chose code and became one
of the driving forces of the AI scene in Moravia. He co-founded the plaorm ČERNÁ.AI, which brings
together developers, academics, entrepreneurs and the general public. In this interview, he explains
why Ostrava has the potenal to become an AI hub, what holds back innovaon in companies,
and what role community, discipline, and the courage to experiment play in the process.
How did you get into artificial intelligence when
it wasn’t your original focus?
I entered the IT field five years ago, and the topic
of artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly
relevant. I met people who drew me into it – like Honza
Romportl. I started with philosophy – I read Harari’s
Sapiens, Homo Deus, and 21 Lessons for the 21st
Century, which got me thinking about where humanity
is heading. Eventually, I came across Superintelligence
by Nick Bostrom and Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
– and that’s when everything changed. It wasn’t
just abstract thinking anymore, but about the real
potential of technology. I began experimenting with
neural networks, studying the technical foundations,
and testing early models. I wanted to understand how
it works on a deeper level – not just to comprehend it,
but to create with it.
You’re the founder of the ČERNÁ.AI platform. What
is the main purpose of this initiative?
We wanted to create a platform similar to those
in Prague or Brno, but with a stronger focus
on practical applications, regional impact, and close
ties to both industry and the public sector. Together
with Lukáš Vlček and Andrej Harmečko, we looked for
a way to energise the community and build traction.
In collaboration with Černá kostka and Webvalley,
the ČERNÁ.AI brand was born – the name reflects
Ostrava’s character and is meant to be slightly
provocative. The goal is to connect people from public
administration, universities, business, and the nonprofit
sector, and to seek common ground in the field of AI.
What are the core principles of ČERNÁ.AI?
Our initiative is built on three key pillars that
complement one another and together form a solid
foundation for the development of artificial intelligence
in the Moravian-Silesian Region.
Our first goal is to build a vibrant, open,
and interconnected community of people interested
in AI – whether they’re expert developers, researchers,
students, entrepreneurs, public officials or enthusiasts.
I believe innovation happens where different
perspectives and experiences come together. We started
in the Moravian-Silesian Region, but the community
is naturally expanding beyond regional borders –
we’re hearing from people across the Czech Republic.
We organise meetings, workshops, thematic events,
and informal meetups where not only is knowledge
shared, but real collaboration takes shape. One of our
flagship events was AI: The Battle for the Digital Age –
a fully booked conference that brought top AI experts
to Ostrava and offered unique perspectives across
various fields, from ethics and industry to design.
The second pillar is what we call “AI missions” – targeted
international trips focused on gaining inspiration,
learning from real-world experience, and building
partnerships. We want to actively seek out best
practices and bring them back to the region. Our first
mission, for example, is headed to Singapore, where
the government and businesses work closely together
on the strategic development of technology. We believe
that contact with international environments will help
raise the bar for what’s possible here – technologically,
organisationally, and culturally.
What’s more, I have been confirmed for a six-minute
presentation directly in front of representatives of the
National University of Singapore (NUS) – Artificial
Intelligence Institute. It’s an exceptional opportunity
to showcase the regional potential of the Moravian-
Silesian Region in a global context and open the door
to new forms of collaboration.
With the ČERNÁ.AI team, we’re
currently planning a large-scale event
we’d like to host in 2026 at the Gong.