Christos Kyliakoudis on creating Koroubot and new venture datumSense

“The impact of AI will be bigger than electricity; it will divide history into ‘Before AI’ and ‘After AI’,” says Christos Kyliakoudis, AI Transformation Advisor & Educator and Founder of datumSense, who is also the man behind Koroubot, a chatbot that communicates in the Cypriot dialect.

In the interview that follows, Kyliakoudis talks about Koroubot, his new venture datumSense and the impact that generative artificial intelligence will have on our lives; and he warns what to look out for to avoid a devastating ‘Hiroshima-Nagasaki moment’.

Can you tell us about koroubot? What is it and how long has it been up and running?
Koroubot is a highly capable chatbot, much like ChatGPT-4, but with one unique twist: it communicates exclusively in the Cypriot dialect. Whether it’s text, pictures, or even voice responses, everything Koroubot does is tailored to the Cypriot language and cultural nuances.

This innovative approach allows users to experience the full spectrum of AI capabilities while celebrating and preserving the richness of the Cypriot dialect. It’s been just two weeks since Koroubot’s launch, and the response has been phenomenal. People are engaging with it not only to interact with AI but also to explore their linguistic heritage. Adding to its charm is Koroubot’s distinct personality—a no-nonsense Cypriot woman with common sense and a relatable, down-to-earth demeanour.

How did you come up with the idea to create it?
It was inspired by discussions with linguist friends who were working on a similar idea. We wanted to combine cutting-edge AI with the charm of Cypriot culture and language, creating something that connects people to their roots in a fresh, fun, and interactive way.

Has it been embraced so far? Have you been getting feedback?
The feedback has been incredible. Within just two weeks, we’ve seen a wave of excitement. People are not only using Koroubot to interact with AI, but also playfully engaging with the Cypriot dialect. It’s a way to celebrate the uniqueness of our language.

You lead DatumSense, specialising in AI automation, AI consulting, and AI education. Can you tell us about your company and what its targets are?
DatumSense is my new venture, specialising in AI automation, AI consulting, and AI education. The idea is simple: generative AI is set to revolutionise every aspect of life and work. The impact of AI will be bigger than electricity; it will divide history into “Before AI” and “After AI.”

Everything that’s currently “business as usual” will transform into AI-enabled systems. Companies that fail to adapt to this shift risk becoming irrelevant, much like those that missed the digital transformation. At datumSense, we aim to co-create successful AI-enabled companies. We achieve this through AI education, automation, and consulting—helping businesses navigate this seismic change and build a sustainable future.

You were instrumental in the creation of highly successful local companies like bazaraki.com and ergodotisi.com. Do you have any other interesting ventures coming up?
Leading Bazaraki.com, Ergodotisi.com, and Satori Analytics from their inception to becoming mainstream brands was incredibly rewarding. Right now, my focus is on building datumSense into a powerhouse for AI transformation. It’s a challenging but exciting time, and I want to make sure we do it right.

AI is slated to become an even bigger part of our lives in 2025. What do you see as the biggest industry trends, and challenges, to look out for this year?
Trends
AI “agents” are taking centre stage—think automated assistants handling everything from customer support to data analysis. The opportunities are enormous, potentially worth hundreds of trillions, as these services replace, enhance, or reduce the need for human input.

Challenges
Exuberance in Valuations
We’re on the brink of an AI “bubble,” similar to the dot-com boom and bust of the early 2000s. Sky-high valuations and massive investment flows may not be sustainable, leading to potential market corrections. While the technology is revolutionary, we should prepare for a reset once over-hyped ideas meet real-world limits.

‘Hiroshima-Nagasaki’ Moment
We’re racing ahead in AI without any guardrails—nobody wants to slow down and lose the competitive edge. But that breakneck speed could lead to a devastating ‘Hiroshima-Nagasaki moment,’ forcing us to finally see just how dangerous unchecked AI can be. Only then, when the risks are undeniably real, will we likely put boundaries in place to safeguard humanity. Right now, we’re simply not there yet.

A paradigm shift that will define our future
AI is not just a tool; it’s a paradigm shift that will define our future. Through projects like Koroubot and initiatives like DatumSense, we’re not only embracing this change but actively shaping it. The journey ahead is full of promise and challenges, and I’m excited to be at the forefront of it.