Great Success for the Multidisciplinary “Cyprus AI Conference”

Co-organized by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts and the KIOS Center of Excellence of the University of Cyprus

The multidisciplinary “Cyprus AI Conference” co-organized by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts in collaboration with the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence of the University of Cyprus, and held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, was a great success.

This highly engaging conference took place on 5–7 November at the University of Cyprus. Fifty experts from various scientific and professional fields participated, discussing the vision, risks, and opportunities arising from the rapid expansion and use of Artificial Intelligence in multiple sectors of society and the economy. More than 300 attendees were present.

Addressing Artificial Intelligence as a defining force of our era, the speakers explored several thought-provoking topics.

At the opening of the Conference, welcoming remarks were delivered by the President of the Council of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Anastasiou; the President of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, Professor Achilleas C. Emilianides; and the Chair of the Board of the KIOS Center of Excellence and Member of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, Professor Marios Polycarpou.

On behalf of the President of the Republic, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nikodemos Damianou, delivered an address, emphasizing that Artificial Intelligence will constitute a central pillar of the government’s agenda from promoting the practical implementation of the AI Act to strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and shaping a safer online environment for minors.

The first day’s program included a keynote speech by the Director of the Hellenic National Cybersecurity Authority, Michalis Bletsas, titled “Artificial Intelligence: Revolution or a Bubble?”, as well as presentations and discussions by participating scientists who analyzed the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the sectors of Research, Health, and Cybersecurity.

On the second day, the highlight was the keynote address by the Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides, titled “Cyprus AI 2030: AI for Government, Research, and Industry”.

Through presentations and scientific analyses, speakers examined how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping fundamental pillars of modern society, including Democracy, Critical Infrastructure Systems, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

On the third day, the focus was on the talk delivered by Dr. Elena Xoplaki, Assistant Professor at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen in Germany, titled “AI in Climate”.

Experts also engaged in analyses and discussions regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the fields of Education and Culture.