Nicosia, Cyprus. Artificial intelligence is already changing how people work, conduct business, create and make decisions, according to Matina Zisiadou, director of the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA).
Speaking after the CITEA Digital Cyprus Conference, Zisiadou said the focus had shifted from whether AI would affect the future to how society would actively shape its impact.
Opportunities and challenges
The conference brought together representatives of the technology community, business sector and government to examine the opportunities and challenges arising from the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Zisiadou said AI could improve business productivity and services, create entrepreneurial opportunities and open new avenues for innovation.
Skills and adaptation
She said technology alone would not generate meaningful value. Cyprus needed people with appropriate knowledge and skills, businesses willing to adapt and experiment, and an ecosystem that supports responsible innovation.
AI was not solely about algorithms and data, she said, but also about employees developing new skills, businesses reconsidering their operations and future generations working in environments where human-technology collaboration is part of daily life.
European competitiveness
Zisiadou said Europe faced the challenge of ensuring that AI develops responsibly, transparently and with respect for society, while maintaining its capacity to innovate and compete globally.
She noted that the United States and China were investing rapidly in emerging technologies, raising the question of whether regulation would hinder innovation or support a model in which technological progress and responsibility coexist.
Cyprus’ role
Zisiadou said the response should be based on knowledge, preparation and action rather than fear. She added that Cyprus could play a meaningful role in the wider European discussion.
Artificial intelligence represents a significant opportunity for Cyprus, she said, citing the country’s technology ecosystem, talent and businesses that can use new capabilities.