Nicosia:Cyprus is set to develop at least 3,000 artificial intelligence (AI) professionals by the year 2032 as part of its strategic plan to establish itself as a regional hub for AI skills. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, during a panel discussion at the 22nd Annual Economist Cyprus Summit.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Damianou outlined the country's plans to expand AI education, training, and adoption. He emphasized that Cyprus's goal is to promote practical AI applications that yield the greatest value, rather than merely competing in the global AI landscape. Key initiatives include the Cyprus AI Literacy Framework for schools, a National AI Skills Observatory, and FutureAI CY for reskilling opportunities.

Damianou stressed the importance of an 'AI Social Contract' to ensure technology empowers rather than replaces people, highlighting concerns about AI contributing to inequality. He noted that only a small fraction of the global working-age population currently uses AI, with billions still offline. He urged for greater access to AI models and infrastructure, emphasizing that while AI can drive growth, it is crucial to prevent it from exacerbating inequality.

Greek Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance, Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, also participated in the discussion, highlighting the role of AI in increasing productivity while posing risks of economic power concentration. He cited disparities in AI adoption rates and Greece's efforts to enhance AI access, including providing digital tool licenses and training to public employees, and the upcoming AI services from Greece's Daedalus supercomputer.

Anagnostopoulos emphasized the need for governments to enable AI adoption across sectors and discussed Greece's initiatives to develop AI models and infrastructure, vital for both Greece and the EU.