As the world transitions from strategic planning to real-time operational shifts, Dr. Draško Aćimović, a renowned diplomat and economist, introduces the “Third Gutenberg Moment”—a paradigm shift that is fundamentally rewriting the rules of the global economy and international relations. In this exclusive interview, the former Ambassador and financial expert explains why nations must act now to secure their seat at the “New Global Table.”
EU Reporter: Dr. Aćimović, you have recently introduced a framework called the “Third Gutenberg Moment.” This sounds like a historical pivot point. Could you explain what this moment represents for the modern world?
Dr. Draško Aćimović: Precisely. History moves in cycles of democratization—of knowledge, and now, of power. The First Gutenberg Moment was the printing press, which broke the monopoly on information. The Second was the internet revolution. Today, we are living through the Third Gutenberg Moment: the fusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). https://thesiliconreview.com/2026/04/drasko-acimovic-on-the-third-gutenberg-moment-global-shift
We are no longer “preparing” for the future; we have merged with it. This is the end of obsolete institutional structures. Just as the printing press redefined the 15th century, AI and CBDCs are redefining the core pillars of national sovereignty and human power today.
EU Reporter: You mention that CBDCs and AI are not just technical tools, but “foundations of a new architecture.” How does this change the concept of a sovereign state?
Dr. Draško Aćimović: In the previous paradigm, global hierarchy was largely fixed by traditional financial intermediaries and geographic borders. The Third Gutenberg Moment acts as a great equalizer. Digital sovereignty is now as critical as physical borders.
For the European Union and nations globally, CBDCs represent a transition to a decentralized, transparent, and more efficient economic model. However, it’s not just about the technology—it’s about who writes the rules of the next century. Nations that are early adopters of this AI-CBDC framework aren’t just upgrading their IT; they are securing their independence in a world where traditional intermediaries are disappearing.
EU Reporter: There is a lot of talk about the technical side of AI, but you emphasize the need for “Architects of Society.” What do you mean by that?
Dr. Draško Aćimović: This is a crucial distinction. We often mistakenly treat AI as a purely technical challenge for IT experts. But if the printing press only had blacksmiths and no writers, it would have been useless.
Today, we need ethicists, philosophers, doctors, lawyers, and farmers to define the logic of AI. The builders are the IT professionals, but the “Architects” must be the domain experts who ensure these systems are human-centric. The winners at the New Global Table https://www.notizie.it/terzo-momento-gutenberg-diplomatico-drasko-acimovic-annuncia-fase-operativa-nuovo-paradigma-globale/ will not be those with the most lines of code, but those with the smartest, most ethical policies embedded within that code.
EU Reporter: As a former Ambassador in Brussels, how do you see this shift affecting diplomacy and international relations?
Dr. Draško Aćimović: Diplomacy is moving from “strategic planning” to “real-time operational response.” We are witnessing a tectonic shift where traditional diplomatic protocols are being bypassed by technological speed.
The institutional framework is transforming in real-time. My warning to global leaders is simple: those who do not understand this shift will remain prisoners of obsolete structures. This transition offers a historic window of opportunity for smaller or emerging economies to achieve relevance and economic sovereignty that was previously impossible.
EU Reporter: You have held high-level roles in both diplomacy and the financial sector. What is your final message to those currently navigating these “tectonic shifts”?
Dr. Draško Aćimović: We must realize that the “sunset” of the world as we knew it has already happened. We are now in the operational phase of a new global table. To secure a seat at the New Global Table, we must move beyond being mere observers of technology. We must become its architects, ensuring that the fusion of digital money and artificial intelligence serves to empower society rather than just automate it. The rules of the next hundred years are being written right now—it is time to hold the pen.
About Dr. Drasko Acimovic: Dr. Drasko Acimovic is a distinguished diplomat and economist recognized for his strategic insights into global financial systems and international relations. His career is marked by high-level leadership roles, including serving as Ambassador in Brussels and as the President of the largest financial services brokerage firm in Eastern Europe, overseeing operations across 11 countries. With a unique perspective from both the diplomatic and corporate worlds, Dr. Acimovic focuses on the intersection of technology, economy, and the future of sovereign states. Currently, he serves as a Member of the Board of the NGO East West Bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina , contributing to international dialogue and strategic cooperation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_sovereignty#cite_note-19
