Chief Scientist highlights nation’s vision for AI and tech innovation

In a forward-looking address, Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, outlined an ambitious roadmap for the nation's embrace of artificial intelligence (AI), data infrastructure, and technological innovation.

Given at the TechIsland Summit in Limassol, the talk served as both a celebration of AI’s transformative potential and a strategic blueprint for Cyprus’s digital future.

Skourides opened by emphasizing the rapid pace of technological advancement and the importance of creating an environment where innovation can thrive. “Technology is moving faster than ever,” he said, noting that AI is not just a tool of the future but an essential part of today’s infrastructure and policymaking.

Why AI matters now

Skourides highlighted the critical role of AI in reshaping industries, public services, and citizen experiences. He cited examples ranging from automated customer service to personalized healthcare and smart infrastructure. "AI has massive potential to scale," he said. “We can create hundreds of millions of intelligent decisions that will define better outcomes.”

He stressed that AI is not just about efficiency, but also about redefining how we deliver value—turning services into outcomes and experiences, such as "experiences-as-a-service," and requiring a fundamental rethink of how we engineer policies and systems.

A platform for innovation

Skourides spoke at length about the importance of building national platforms that support AI development. He described how Cyprus is investing in data centers, open software, and hardware infrastructure to ensure the country remains competitive and self-sufficient in AI development.

“A great product is not enough,” he noted. “Without a business model, it doesn’t survive.” Cyprus is therefore also fostering ecosystems where startups, researchers, and government institutions can collaborate.

He shared a visual example of a future data center powered by sovereign technologies—hardware and software infrastructure built and controlled locally, emphasizing security, cost-efficiency, and independence from foreign control.

Tackling bias and ensuring ethics in AI

Skourides warned about the risks of uncontrolled AI systems, especially when it comes to bias and data misuse. “We care about AI safety because if we can’t control the bias, we can't trust the outcomes,” he said. As part of this initiative, Cyprus is aligning with European standards on trustworthy and ethical AI.

National task force and policy development

The Chief Scientist revealed that a National AI Task Force has been formed, consisting of experts from academia, research, and industry. This task force is tasked with shaping national AI policy, use cases, and strategic frameworks. By the end of the year, Cyprus aims to finalize its national AI innovation strategy and present it to the Council of Ministers.

Programs under the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) will also support entrepreneurs and researchers in scaling their solutions and collaborating with government entities to solve real-world challenges.

Global perspective, local action

Skourides emphasized that Cyprus is learning from global best practices, citing examples from France, the UK, and Singapore. He encouraged local technologists and students to engage with the innovation ecosystem, promising support and openness to ideas.

He closed his remarks with a call to action: “AI is a superpower. It allows us to move faster, solve problems smarter, and design systems that serve people better. But we need to invest in infrastructure, strategy, and people if we are to truly unlock its potential.”

Key Takeaways:

• Cyprus is building sovereign AI infrastructure and launching national AI policy initiatives.
  
• A National Task Force has been set up to align AI development with European standards.
  
• Investments in data centers, open platforms, and education are central to the strategy.
  
• AI is seen as both a technological and societal shift, requiring responsible implementation.

Skourides' presentation can be viewed here.