Nicosia: House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou emphasized the political responsibility to establish rules and accountability mechanisms for AI, ensuring it serves the public interest and protects fundamental rights.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the discussion on artificial intelligence and its rapid development challenges was the focus of an Interparliamentary Meeting hosted by the House of Representatives of Cyprus. This meeting, framed within the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, was entitled 'The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges' and gathered parliamentarians to deliberate on AI's technological, democratic, and societal impacts.
In her opening address, Demetriou described the meeting as a timely opportunity for meaningful dialogue about artificial intelligence's decisive role in modern society and its multifaceted impact on institutional and socio-economic levels. She noted that AI is not just a technological innovation but a dominant force influencing all human activity areas, shaping everyday life, and being integral to international developments.
Demetriou highlighted AI's unprecedented opportunities, especially for younger generations, and its transformative potential in research, education, healthcare, and public services. However, she warned of the need for a holistic approach to address AI-related challenges, aligned with the European Union's regulatory framework and shared values.
She pointed out that AI systems, developed through human-generated data algorithms, mirror societal ideals and biases. Therefore, ethical and responsible AI use is crucial. Demetriou stressed the political responsibility to establish mechanisms ensuring AI serves the public interest, not harmful agendas.
Addressing misuse risks, she warned against fake news, disinformation, and social media manipulation, which undermine democratic processes and erode trust in institutions. These actions, she noted, polarize society and hinder young people's ability to form informed opinions.
Demetriou emphasized that AI lacks human emotions and creativity. While it can enhance human talent, it cannot replace human judgment. She concluded that technology must serve humanity, not the reverse.
The first thematic session, chaired by MP Demetris Demetriou, focused on 'Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Fake News, Disinformation and Foreign Interference.' He noted AI's potential to enhance democracy and transparency but warned of threats to democratic functioning, including disinformation and external interference.
Demetris Demetriou affirmed the EU's choice to counter these challenges through regulation, highlighting existing frameworks for digital services and the new AI regulatory framework. He stressed parliaments' role in balancing innovation with safeguards, asserting that Europe aims to shape technology with democracy and human values at its core.