Chief Scientist highlights evolution and role of AI in Defence

The Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology, Demetris Skourides, recently highlighted the evolution and role of Artificial Intelligence in Defence, emphasising how it influences military operations, security, and data analysis

Pictured above, seated next to the speaker, Skourides was participating in a two-day seminar titled 'Strategic Security Foresight', held on 4-5 February by the Defence Ministry's Cyprus Security and Defence Academy in collaboration with Neapolis University.

The seminar attracted the interest of top figures in the field of Defence and Security, with 27 representatives from six European Union countries, namely Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, and Finland.

In his presentation, the Chief Scientist highlighted the evolution and role of Artificial Intelligence in Defence, emphasising how it influences military operations, security, and data analysis. He stressed the need to understand the strategic depth of technology and industry, stating that "the rules are being rewritten" through the dynamic transformation that technology and innovation bring to the sector.

Furthermore, Skourides underscored the importance of "seeing around corners," the ability to anticipate and adapt to rapid technological advancements, which is crucial for shaping resilient and effective strategies. He also referred to defence systems such as autonomous weapons, intelligent threat detection algorithms, and cybersecurity systems while addressing the challenges of Artificial Intelligence, including managing deepfakes, the ethical aspects of autonomous decision-making in combat, and the risk of cyberattacks through machine learning algorithms.

Concluding, the Chief Scientist analysed Strategic Foresight, which connects technological developments with national and international security planning, enabling proactive risk and crisis management.

Among those attending the seminar were the Rector of Neapolis University, Pantelis Sklias; the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation and Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Savvas Chatzichristofis; the Director of the Academy of Security & Defence of Cyprus and Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Symeon Zambas; the Colonel and Professor of Defence & Strategy at the Croatian Defence Academy, Jugoslav Jozić; the CEO of Invest Cyprus, Marios Tannousis; the Director of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Dr. Georgios Pavlidis; Professor of European Law, Dr. Stephanie Laulhe Shaelou; Dr. Maryam Mohammed Ali Bin Hammad Alsaabri from the General Directorate of Civil Defence in Dubai; and UNITAR member and Professor of Diplomacy and International Security, Dr. Laszlo Molnar. Also present at the event were Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity at Neapolis University, Dr. Lefteris Zacharioudakis, and the former Chief of the National Guard of Cyprus, Retired Lieutenant General Dimokritos Zervakis.

It is noted that the Chief Scientist consistently supports such initiatives, encouraging the connection of innovation with Defence and Security to shape strong defence strategies for the future.

The seminar was held under the auspices of the European Security & Defence College.