Cyprus' Chief Scientist highlights AI’s transformative role in the public sector at global AI summit

The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides participated in the first-ever AI and Web Festival Summit, a leading global event for digital economies, held on 11-12 September.

The Summit was held under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and is the first of its kind to be organised in the world. The event was highly successful, attracting over 6,800 participants, 20 global enterprises, 20 government entities, and top venture capitalists. This convergence of industry leaders underscored the event’s significance as a hub for innovation in AI and Web3 technologies.

As noted in a relevant press release, Skourides participated as a panelist in a thought-provoking session, titled “Enhancing Public Sector Efficiency,” alongside esteemed government officials, including H.E. Younus Al Nasser, CEO of Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai, and H.E. General Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi, General Director of AI at Dubai Police.

During the panel, Skourides emphasised the role of AI in transforming public sector operations, particularly by automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making, and improving public service delivery. He outlined how AI technologies can significantly enhance citizen experiences by providing personalised and seamless e-government services. The introduction of Cyprus’ Digital AI Assistant, set to pilot by the end of 2024, was highlighted as a crucial step toward achieving more efficient and user-friendly government services.

In his remarks, the Chief Scientist noted that AI holds the potential to revolutionise public services. Through automation, predictive analytics, and advanced customer service tools like AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, he stated that public sector organizations are poised to improve productivity and deliver superior services to citizens. He also spoke about the current AI pilot projects of the office of the Chief Scientist aimed at automating document processing and summarization, further reinforcing Cyprus' commitment to innovation in public sector operations.

The panel discussion also delved into key AI-driven best practices in data management and governance. Skourides highlighted success stories from the UAE, such as robust data governance frameworks that ensure transparency, traceability, and security—crucial for building public trust in AI systems.

The panel further explored how AI can deliver personalised citizen services. Drawing parallels with initiatives like the UAE’s Ministry of Happiness and the Happiness Meter, Skourides emphasized how these UAE success stories serve as a benchmark for citizen satisfaction can serve as models for Cyprus as it continues to advance its own AI and public service strategies.

In his concluding remarks, Skourides stressed the importance of thinking big and identifying key citizen personas to create the ultimate user experience. He underscored the need to focus on data-driven solutions and how AI can support the citizen’s journey through data flows and analytics. He also discussed the importance of developing a comprehensive AI governance framework that reinforces ethics, security, and a human-centric approach to AI implementing EU AI Act. Skourides stressed the significance of investing in research and development to ensure that AI applications comply with national and regional regulations. Additionally, he stressed the importance in developing smart applications as building blocks enriched with AI technologies to support public servants and citizens. He concluded by stating that data is the new oil, and AI is the new energy, stressing that open, transparent, and explainable AI and data science platforms must be developed to fuel growth. He highlighted the importance of embracing AI responsibly, leveraging its power for progress while ensuring it is implemented within the bounds of legislation, without stifling innovation.

The AI and Web Festival Summit is a premier platform for global leaders in AI, digital economies, and Web3 technologies. Bringing together public sector officials, industry leaders, and venture capitalists, the summit serves as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, reinforcing Dubai's role as a global leader in digital transformation.

During his participation, the Chief Scientist had the opportunity to meet and exchange views on digital innovation and the importance of AI with H.E. Khalfan Belhoun, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, and Mrs Anusha Dandapani, Chief Data & Analytics Officer United Nations International Computing Center (UNICC) US.