Dublin:The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, has emphasized the need for safeguards against the malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) as Europe approaches the 2027 election cycle. During his arrival at the Informal EU Summit, President Christodoulides expressed concerns regarding the potential exploitation of technology by malicious actors to influence electoral processes across EU Member States.

According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides highlighted the vulnerability of all EU nations, including Cyprus, to technological threats. He announced that the upcoming Cyprus-Greece intergovernmental summit in Nicosia would address the impact of AI on governance. Additionally, the European Council will discuss strategies to harness AI for enhancing the EU's competitiveness and strategic autonomy while establishing frameworks to safeguard democracies, societies, and children.

Discussions at the Informal Summit include a session with a company CEO advocating for AI to bolster EU competitiveness and a Nobel Prize-winning physicist showcasing AI's benefits in science and medicine. President Christodoulides noted that these discussions occur shortly after Cyprus adopted its first AI Strategy for 2026-2032.

The President also mentioned the forthcoming presidential elections in Cyprus in 2028, stating that action is needed to inform the public and establish preventive frameworks against technological threats. Moreover, the Informal Summit will consider the EU's representation in ongoing Ukraine talks, with Cyprus open to either EU institutions or a combination of institutions and Member States representing the EU.