House Speaker Annita Demetriou has underlined the clear political responsibility to establish rules, safeguards and accountability mechanisms that ensure transparency and the protection of fundamental rights, so that AI serves the public interest rather than private or harmful agendas.
Artificial intelligence and the challenges accompanying its rapid development were the focus of an Interparliamentary Meeting hosted by the House of Representatives of Cyprus, within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The meeting was entitled 'The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges' and brought together parliamentarians to discuss the technological, democratic and societal implications of AI.
In her opening address on 15 January, the House Speaker described the meeting as a timely opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collective reflection on the decisive role artificial intelligence plays in the modern era and its multifaceted impact at both institutional and socio-economic levels.
She stressed that AI is no longer merely a technological innovation, but a dominant force that permeates all areas of human activity, significantly shaping everyday life while also being embedded in broader international and geostrategic developments.
Demetriou highlighted that the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence are unprecedented, particularly for younger generations. She noted that AI-driven transformations in research, education, healthcare and public services are of critical importance, opening new prospects for efficiency and innovation.
At the same time, she warned that the challenges associated with AI make it imperative to address them in a holistic and forward-looking manner, fully aligned with the European Union’s regulatory framework and shared values.
She pointed out that AI systems are developed through algorithms trained on human-generated data, reflecting not only societal ideals and beliefs but also existing biases and inequalities. For this reason, she said, the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence is of crucial importance. Demetriou underlined the clear political responsibility to establish rules, safeguards and accountability mechanisms that ensure transparency and the protection of fundamental rights, so that AI serves the public interest rather than private or harmful agendas.
Referring to the growing risks of misuse, she warned that fake news, disinformation, the uncontrolled use of social media and attempts to manipulate public opinion serve dangerous objectives. Such practices, she said, undermine democratic processes, erode trust in institutions and contribute to political and social polarisation, particularly affecting young people’s ability to form free and informed opinions.
Demetriou also stressed that artificial intelligence cannot feel, imagine or comprehend human pain, anxiety or hope. While AI can enhance human talent, she said, it cannot and should not replace human judgement or creativity. “AI can calculate, analyse and predict, but it cannot dream,” she noted, concluding that technology must serve humanity, not the other way around.
The first thematic session of the meeting, entitled 'Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Fake News, Disinformation and Foreign Interference,' was chaired by chairman of the House Ethics Committee, MP Demetris Demetriou of the Democratic Rally (DISY).
In his remarks, he said that the digital era and the rapid development of AI create unprecedented opportunities for strengthening participatory democracy, transparency and access to information.
However, he warned that these developments also pose serious threats to democratic functioning, including systematic disinformation, the mass spread of fake news and organised external interference aimed at undermining citizens’ trust in institutions and electoral processes. While reaffirming freedom of expression as a cornerstone of the rule of law, he stressed that it cannot be equated with the unchecked dissemination of false or misleading information.
Demetris Demetriou concluded that the European Union has chosen to respond to these challenges through regulation rather than inaction, highlighting existing frameworks for digital services and platforms, as well as the recently adopted AI regulatory framework. He emphasised the key role of parliaments in striking the necessary balance between innovation and institutional safeguards, sending a clear message that Europe seeks to shape technological developments with democracy, the rule of law and the human being at their core.
Also read: EU Commissioner McGrath outlines EU approach to AI, disinformation and digital rules in Nicosia
(Source: CNA)
