Nicosia, Cyprus. Artificial intelligence can write code, create images and suggest solutions, but it cannot dream or replace human judgment, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou said on Thursday at the University of Cyprus postgraduate graduation ceremony. He said AI is already affecting Cyprus’ economy, labour market, education system and ability to compete for investment and talent.
Technology and human responsibility
Damianou said the rise of artificial intelligence is no longer a distant or theoretical issue. He said the key question is how to ensure that technology serves humans and not the other way around.
International discussions on AI
He referred to recent discussions at the G7, where heads of state met senior figures from major AI companies including OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic. He also cited OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman’s warning to governments not to hand over their responsibilities to AI companies.
Impact on Cyprus
Damianou said the challenge is not simply to develop more powerful systems, but to ensure they serve people, democracy and society. He said Cyprus’ ability to prepare workers for a changing economy will determine whether the country can participate meaningfully in the new technological environment.
Skills and lifelong learning
Citing World Economic Forum estimates, Damianou said around 39 per cent of workers’ existing skills are expected to change or become less relevant by 2030, while six in ten workers will need training or retraining within the next five years. He said these figures should not be a cause for concern, but a reminder that learning does not end with graduation.
Role of universities
He said the traditional model of education, work and retirement is changing, with the real advantage now belonging to those who continue to learn when others think they already know enough. Damianou said universities have a critical role in this shift, not only as places of knowledge production, but as institutions that shape how society thinks, innovates and responds to change.
