The ambition of the Government is to make AI an opportunity for Cyprus, said on Tuesday the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, presenting the key pillars of the New National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence with a horizon of 2032.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at a lecture on Artificial Intelligence, organised by the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Cyprus at the University’s Ceremony Hall, in Nicosia.
In his address, Damianou expressed the view that AI is not going to take over the world and enslave humanity. "It is much more likely, I think, that we will destroy society and economies as we know them, either by misusing Artificial Intelligence or by making wrong decisions regarding Artificial Intelligence," he noted, emphasising that "Artificial Intelligence is neither inherently an ally nor an enemy."
Citing headlines from recent publications in the international press regarding Artificial Intelligence, the Deputy Minister noted that AI "has ceased to be a technological issue," pointing out that "it is an economic, industrial, geopolitical, national security issue, and above all, a democratic issue."
Referring to the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Act), he indicated that "regulation should not be a brake on progress." "The AI Act must serve as the framework that ensures that this progress serves humanity, protects fundamental rights, and creates trust," he emphasised.
"Therefore, we may have the first comprehensive regulation (for AI) in the world here in Europe, but if critical decisions are made bilaterally between the USA and China, then Europe risks writing the rules of a game that is played elsewhere," said Nicodemos Damianos, highlighting that European technological autonomy "is not a theoretical discussion."
"The question now for Europe is not only how we regulate Artificial Intelligence, but how we acquire the ability to develop and scale it, gradually building autonomy at all levels, infrastructures, data, talent, and applications," he noted.
For Cyprus, he said, "the question is how we will leverage AI to solve real problems and turn it into productivity, better services, and value for the economy and society."
This is precisely what the New National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence with a horizon of 2032 aims to achieve, of which the public consultation has been completed and is under final formulation, the Deputy Minister stated.
As he explained, the goal of this strategy is "for Cyprus to be recognised as the leading trusted hub of Artificial Intelligence in the Eastern Mediterranean, a reliable European jurisdiction for Artificial Intelligence services, and a bridge between the European Union and neighbouring regions."
The New National Strategy, he continued, is based on some key strategic choices, which are compliance with the European framework, the creation of national Artificial Intelligence capabilities through strong European and international partnerships, and a focus on research for artificial intelligence through six specific strategic areas where Cyprus can differentiate itself (public sector, financial services, health and life sciences, tourism, legal services, shipping).
"A fundamental principle dominates the text of the strategy. Artificial Intelligence enhances humanity and does not replace it," emphasised Damianou.
"The goal is to create a future economy of knowledge, innovation, and technology based on trust," he pointed out.
"Our ambition as a Government is clear: to make Artificial Intelligence an opportunity for Cyprus and an ally of science, the economy, and our society as a collective effort that starts now with humanity at the centre," he stated.
In her address, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Cyprus, Tatiana-Eleni Synodinou, said that Artificial Intelligence is not just a promise, but it is the present, our daily lives, and it affects the way we work, communicate, create, inform ourselves, conduct research, teach, and learn.
"Precisely for this reason, the discussion around Artificial Intelligence cannot concern only specialists nor remain within the confines of the academic community," she emphasised.
In his lecture, Emeritus Professor of the University of Cyprus, Antonis Kakas, noted that the impact of AI seems to be universal. Referring to generative AI, he explained that it has the ability to adapt to the specific context of a problem.
AI has functional and ethical values, while the challenge is to reconcile these values, Kakas emphasised, pointing out that the challenge for AI is to find solutions aligned with the conflicting values that the posed problem includes.
The discussion that followed the lecture was moderated by the Professor of the Department of Economics at the University of Cyprus, Andros Kourtellos.
