Nicosia: Parliaments can play a key role in the legislative framework that should govern or guide technological progress in the public interest, said the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, in her opening address at the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2025, which is taking place on Thursday in Nicosia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Demetriou highlighted the current period of intense international instability and major challenges. She emphasized that artificial intelligence and digital transformation are radically redefining lives and work, noting that while this progress is valuable, it also requires responsibility to understand and shape it with a focus on people and their rights.
Demetriou stressed that technology should not distance people from the core of society, adding that imagination, intelligence, and ethical judgment cannot and should not be replaced. She noted that artificial intelligence enhances talent, but the human dimension and guidance remain irreplaceable.
In this context, she described investment in technology as a strategic lever for growth, with innovation boosting productivity, opening new markets, and offering future opportunities. She also emphasized that digital governance must be a tool for a modern, faster, and more efficient state.
Regarding the role of parliaments, Demetriou stated that they can play a key role in the legislative framework governing technological progress in the public interest. She mentioned that the House of Representatives has established a working group on artificial intelligence and is involved in organizing interparliamentary conferences and participating in European developments.
Demetriou noted that the European Union adopted the first legislative package on AI last year, with more to follow. She stressed the importance of having the first legislative framework in place and setting priorities for digital skills, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Looking ahead to Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU starting in January, Demetriou stated that the House of Representatives has prioritized artificial intelligence, its challenges, and prospects. She concluded by emphasizing the need to build a future centered on values and vision, with initiatives like the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit serving as essential platforms for dialogue and exchange of knowledge and experience.