Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, participated in GITEX ASIA 2026 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, where he contributed to high-level discussions addressing the dual challenges of rapid AI deployment and the erosion of digital identity.
Representing Cyprus as an emerging hub for deep-tech innovation, Skourides was recognised by GITEX ASIA as a 'Top 50 What’s Next Champion' and took part in two fireside discussions focused on the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, governance, and digital trust.
AI systems are no longer confined to supporting roles
In the first session, titled 'The AI Safety Paradox: Can Companies Win the Innovation Race Without Creating the Next Global Risk?”' Skourides joined Norman Goh, journalist at Nikkei Asia, to examine the growing complexity of deploying AI systems at scale. As organisations move toward Industry 5.0, he highlighted that AI systems are no longer confined to supporting roles but are increasingly operating as autonomous agents influencing human behaviour and critical infrastructure. Within this context, he emphasised the importance of the EU AI Act and complementary regulatory frameworks in ensuring that innovation is aligned with safety and accountability.
He explored the widening gap between the urgency to bring AI solutions to market and the need for structured ethical oversight, noting that regulatory instruments such as the EU AI Act, combined with international standards like ISO/IEC 42001, can provide a pathway for organisations to achieve compliance while reducing deployment risk and enabling scalable growth. He further underlined the need for national digital strategies to evolve in response to emerging threats, including the misuse of biometric technologies and systemic risks within financial ecosystems. The discussion also addressed the boundary between technological advancement and societal responsibility across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector, alongside the growing necessity to raise awareness among citizens regarding synthetic media, synthetic identities, and fraudulent digital personas.
Reflecting on the risks that remain most pressing, Skourides pointed to persistent gaps in public awareness and digital literacy, which continue to create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. He also highlighted the lack of open infrastructure, leading to increased dependency on closed systems and vendor lock-in, as well as the absence of globally standardised frameworks for responsible AI. In addition, he stressed the growing shortage of skilled professionals in cybersecurity and AI, which presents a significant challenge in meeting the demands of an increasingly digital economy.
Trust in an era defined by rapidly advancing digital capabilities
In a second session, titled 'Who Do You Trust? Rethinking Identity in the Digital Age,' Skourides joined Jay Gomez, Associate Director in Cyber Advisory at BRG, to examine the concept of trust in an era defined by rapidly advancing digital capabilities. The discussion focused on the increasing sophistication of deepfake technologies, capable of convincingly impersonating individuals at the highest levels, as well as the emergence of autonomous AI agents engaging in digital transactions.
Within this context, Skourides outlined the transition toward decentralised identity systems, emphasising the importance of robust mechanisms for verifying human identity in an environment where digital authenticity is increasingly difficult to establish. He addressed the rise of synthetic identity fraud, and the need for coordinated, cross-border responses to safeguard digital economies. He also explored how decentralised frameworks, including blockchain-based architectures, can restore control of personal data to individuals, and reduce reliance on centralised systems.
Positioning Europe’s eIDAS 2.0 (EU Digital Identity Wallet) as a global reference point, Skourides described it as a blueprint for “sovereign trust” in a digital economy. He explained that eIDAS 2.0 represents a fundamental shift in digital identity architecture, enabling citizens to securely use their digital identities across the European Union. He further elaborated on the role of zero-knowledge proofs, which allow individuals to verify credentials without disclosing underlying personal data, thereby ensuring privacy by design.
He also drew a comparison with Singapore’s Singpass system, widely regarded as a global benchmark in digital identity. While both frameworks represent advanced approaches, he noted their differing philosophies and architectures, with Singpass operating as a centralised trust system focused on citizen-centric service delivery, and the European model adopting a decentralised structure that prioritises individual sovereignty over personal data.
Meetings with international stakeholders
During his visit to Singapore, Skourides held a series of meetings with international stakeholders across government, cybersecurity, and innovation ecosystems. These included Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Ashly Lam, Assistant Director of Cyber Strategy & Capabilities Development at INTERPOL, Sukrit Ghosh, Director at the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Er. Bikash Gurung, President of the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN), Chalitda Madhyamapurush, Senior Advisor for Technology, Law, and Business at the AI Governance Practice Center (AIGPC), Yew Kuann Cheng, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), Mr Troy Leach, Chief Strategist of Cloud Security Alliance, and Dr. Non Arkara, Smart Expert, Smart City Promotion Department, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), and the Smart and Livable Cities Institute for Collaboration (SLIC). These engagements formed part of a broader dialogue on global cooperation in AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital trust.
He also participated in a workshop on the transition from generative AI to regenerative AI, hosted by the Global Council for Responsible AI (GCRAI), where the GRACIE framework was presented as a governance model designed to bridge the EU AI Act with emerging regulatory approaches across the Asia-Pacific region.
Skourides’ participation at GITEX ASIA concluded with a strategic meeting with Jupe Tan, Managing Partner at Plug and Play APAC, where discussions focused on facilitating upcoming visits of Cypriot startups to Singapore and Indonesia, strengthening pathways for international collaboration and market access.
His visit to Asia also included an interview with Dr. Stephanie Constantinou, Research Analyst, examining the maturity of AI governance in smaller nations and the role these countries can play in shaping global frameworks.
Reinforcing Cyprus’s strategic positioning
Skourides’ presence at GITEX ASIA reinforces Cyprus’s strategic positioning within the global technology and innovation landscape. By actively contributing to high-level discussions on AI governance, digital identity, and trust frameworks, Cyprus is emerging not merely as a participant, but as a credible voice aligned with European regulatory leadership and global best practices.
This engagement strengthens Cyprus’s role as a bridge between Europe and high-growth markets across Asia and the GCC, opening pathways for investment, research collaboration, and cross-border innovation. At a time when digital trust, AI regulation, and data sovereignty are becoming foundational pillars of the global economy, Cyprus is positioning itself as a jurisdiction capable of supporting secure, compliant, and scalable digital ecosystems.
Through a structured approach to technology and innovation diplomacy, the Office of the Chief Scientist continues to translate national strategy into global action, enhancing Cyprus’s attractiveness as a destination for technology investment, talent, and innovation-driven businesses. This forward-facing approach directly supports the country’s long-term vision to become a regional hub for research, innovation, and advanced technologies, while ensuring its integration into the evolving global digital economy.
