10th International ConFest graphic Stories

Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology,
Mr. Demetris Skourides
10th International ConFest Graphic Stories 

Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Nicosia | 8 March 2024

 

Dear participants, speakers, and esteemed guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is a great pleasure to join you on this extraordinary occasion, which brings together artists and creative minds from Cyprus and abroad. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Graphic Stories for everything they have achieved since 2015. Receiving your offer to participate is an honour and my decision to accept took fractions of a second.

The International ConFest sets the benchmark when it comes to organising immaculate events, having received numerous accolades in the past, while it plays a pivotal role in driving visual communication in our country forward. An initiative that helped put Cyprus on the map, having been awarded with the special Badge of Invention for its innovation and ingenuity, as well as with the special distinction Remarkable Arts Festival for 2021, which charts the ConFest among the top European events related to arts and culture.

The average bystander will wonder, what is the link between innovation and technology on one hand, and arts and culture on the other? Well, simply put, innovation and technology have always been a driving force for art and culture. Numerous landmarks around the world would not have been possible in the absence of innovation and technology as both combined together enable innovative ideas to become a reality.

Quite simply, imagine the development of visual arts over the past 50 years. Many of you here possibly have always worked using technological tools such as computers and programmes designed to make your lives easier. On the other hand, the graphic designers of the 70s carried out their profession using only their hands. Most importantly, graphic design as we know it today would have never become a reality without research, innovation, and technology.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

The beauty of innovation, research and technology lies in the fact that different disciplines can come together in harmony, providing those directly involved with added value and multiple benefits in their field of activity.

For example, artificial intelligence is a technology that uses mathematics to implement models that allow it to think like a human being. Through artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies, otherwise time-consuming processes can be automated and accelerated. If properly harnessed, AI has the potential to free up time for the human workforce to focus on areas of added value, such as, creativity for example – in the case of visual communication. By extension, these technologies have come to assist humans, and in our case, their creativity, increasing productivity and opening up new possibilities for artists.

Emerging technologies are instrumental in promoting growth in all sectors of the economy, and especially in the graphic arts, which in the modern era have been inextricably linked to technology.

Dear participants, speakers, and esteemed guests,

The government ranks research and innovation high in its priorities, focusing on a variety of areas, including the arts, culture and creative professions. To this end, the Council of Ministers has recently approved the National Research and Innovation Strategy 2024-2026, based on “Vision 2035”, according to which Cyprus is set to become a thriving and resilient economy at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, with high and increasing levels of productivity and competitiveness.

In the same framework, reforms and investments have been planned as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, while the Smart Specialization Strategy 2030 is already being implemented, and the action plan for 2023-2024 recently published by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy promotes initiatives for the digital transformation of the country with a total budget of €230m.

Our national strategy consists of 4 Pillars and 8 Priorities. One of those pillars is focused on Digital technologies, which places education, culture and the creative industries at its core. Specifically, our aim is to propel the development of innovative solutions to facilitate the integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, Virtual/Augmented Reality, smart objects, wearables, data analytics and artificial intelligence, in:

  • next-generation media
  • the promotion of cultural content
  • gaming, allowing for the creation of a new experience and,
  • educational activities 

In order to look to the future of graphic design and arts, we merely need to understand where we stand today. The future is already here! Artificial Intelligence is already part of our everyday life and a major tool in the hands of graphic designers. It automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks; it generates new ideas and assists in the creation of innovative designs.

Not only is AI not a threat, but it’s a useful tool that if used wisely, can greatly enhance your work and help you focus on developing new skills. All you need is to keep your horizons open, be receptive to new ideas and use the various resources available to adapt, improve and head towards the future with confidence. We are proud to stand beside you in this process.

Lastly, I would like to once again congratulate Graphic Stories for this outstanding event that helps our country take one more step forward towards the future. Thank you all for being part of the journey.

I am sure you will enjoy the amazing experience the 10th International ConFest Graphic Stories has to offer!