Six pillars of proposals for the adoption of artificial intelligence that will lead to a competitive economy, strong businesses, and a workforce equipped with the skills needed for the new era. These were presented on Tuesday at a press conference by DISY President Annita Dimitriou, while criticizing the government, since, as she said, its strategy to transform Cyprus into a regional hub for artificial intelligence is not accompanied by adequate planning for energy needs, specific budgets, or substantive reskilling measures.
At the press conference, attended by Konstantinos Moundoukkos, head of the Digital Policy, Research and Innovation at the Government Project Monitoring Council, the head of the Monitoring Council, Michalis Ioannidis, and Member of Parliament and party spokesperson Onoufrios Koullas, Ms. Dimitriou said that while more than four in ten citizens used digital technology last year, ranking the country among the top in Europe, at the same time, Cypriot businesses rank among the lowest in terms of its utilization. Similarly, he said, while citizens perform well in basic digital skills, they lag significantly in more advanced ones.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“The problem is neither the people nor the businesses. It is the policy gap. And policymakers must bridge it,” he noted, emphasizing that DISY’s goal is for Cyprus to be a leader in technological developments, where every worker will be empowered and every business will be able to capitalize on the opportunities of the new era.
He also said that Cyprus, as a small country, must adopt a more realistic policy to harness technology more quickly and effectively.
The party’s six key policy pillars include large-scale reskilling of workers through an organized training program, a generous budget and tax incentives, the adoption of artificial intelligence in every business, with tax incentives and exemptions, attracting international high-tech companies that make intensive use of artificial intelligence, and a government that effectively solves problems by integrating public systems, reducing bureaucracy, and leveraging technology.
At the same time, they include energy self-sufficiency and competitive electricity costs as a basic prerequisite for the development of digital infrastructure and large data centers, as well as oversight and accountability, along with the protection of personal data, privacy, and human rights.
Ms. Dimitriou acknowledged the risks associated with the use of AI, but noted that in its proposals, DISY specifically emphasizes the need for oversight and respect for rights and privacy through the adoption of safeguards. He stressed that technology has moved beyond us and that the goal is to ensure no one is left behind.
Change in the Ministry of Digital Affairs
Konstantinos Moundoukkos, head of the Digital Policy, Research, and Innovation portfolio at the Monitoring Council, noted that the effective utilization of digital technology first requires a change in the way public administration operates, with the interoperability of government systems as a key priority, so that public services can exchange information securely and efficiently.
He also stated that there must be a transition from pilot projects to the actual implementation of specific solutions, while regarding the risks, he emphasized the need for clear rules, transparency, and meaningful human oversight.
Mr. Moundoukkos emphasized that every digital transformation project must be accompanied by specific goals, timelines, and measurable results. The government, he said, must know how much each project costs, how much time it saves, and how much it improves services for citizens.
Social Policy Priority – The Need for Education
In his remarks, the head of the Government Project Monitoring Council, Michalis Ioannidis, noted, among other things, that this is a social policy priority, citing examples from other countries that have already moved forward with similar processes.
He also mentioned that in the coming days, at other conferences, DISY will submit proposals to address the risks.
Mr. Koulis, for his part, noted that this is an entirely new technology that can have significant benefits, with the greatest risk being that Cyprus will fall behind in terms of workforce productivity and competitiveness due to a lack of training.
He also criticized the government, saying that, unfortunately, we do not see things progressing quickly, and the advantages of small and flexible countries like Cyprus are not being highlighted.
Source: CNA
