Cyprus’s Bold AI Agenda in Focus as Skourides Joins Golub and Zamboglou on Blockcast

Cyprus’s Bold AI Agenda in Focus as Skourides Joins Golub and Zamboglou on Blockcast

Cyprus is accelerating its efforts to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence and innovation, Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides said during an appearance on the Blockcast Show podcast in Dubai this July. He joined hosts Anton Golub and Demetrios Zamboglou to discuss digital policy, crypto, and cross-border technology collaboration.

Skourides, who also chairs Cyprus’s AI Task Force, outlined the country’s long-term vision to integrate artificial intelligence across key government functions while strengthening its startup ecosystem and data infrastructure.

“By 2030, we aim to offer fully digitised, personalised government services powered by AI,” he said, citing use cases such as passport renewals and visa automation. The objective, he added, is to reduce bureaucracy, improve convenience, and create “seamless citizen journeys.”

The government’s roadmap includes cloud-first policies, the digitisation of at least one department by 2030, and a national AI strategy slated for ratification by November. New roles, such as Chief Data Officer, are also being institutionalised to manage foundational data quality and support large-scale AI adoption.

Golub, who co-hosts the show with Zamboglou, described the episode as a “masterclass in AI,” noting that Cyprus’s approach offers valuable insights for both public and private sector leaders. He commented on the differing adoption curves between AI and crypto, inviting Skourides to explain why AI has gained faster traction.

“When they did AI, they got the UI right,” Skourides responded. “With blockchain, the user experience has remained difficult and intimidating with people still being afraid of losing wallets or sending funds to the wrong address.”

The discussion touched on the current limitations of crypto, despite its strong presence in Cyprus, where major firms such as Coinbase and Kraken have established operations. Zamboglou highlighted the country’s early regulatory moves and pioneering educational initiatives, such as the University of Nicosia’s blockchain degree, as examples of its global leadership in the sector.

While acknowledging crypto’s long-term relevance, Skourides noted that AI is currently taking the lead due to its intuitive interfaces and immediate business value. He added that Cyprus is actively working on expanding formal training and certification programmes for blockchain-related careers.

Throughout the episode, Cyprus’s unique geopolitical positioning was a recurring theme. According to Skourides, the island’s role as a “gateway to both the EU and GCC markets” is increasingly attractive to startups and global tech companies. He pointed to recent cooperation with Dubai Silicon Oasis and rising interest from U.S. and Indian firms, noting that “execution is already underway,” with three American companies having launched operations in Cyprus since the start of the year.

Meanwhile, the island’s startup ecosystem is growing rapidly. “From 2024 to 2025, Cyprus saw a 71 per cent increase in new startups,” Skourides noted, with many focused on health tech, predictive diagnostics, and neuromodulation; sectors that often bring together doctors and AI engineers.

However, he emphasized that innovation must be matched by responsible governance. “We absolutely reject the idea of fully autonomous military AI,” he said, underscoring the task force’s commitment to ethical oversight, safety frameworks, and “human-in-the-loop” system design.

Zamboglou, whose background includes a PhD in financial technology, highlighted AI’s transformative potential in research and education. This led to a discussion on how generative tools are encouraging academics to produce more original work. Skourides agreed, suggesting that AI can serve as a powerful advisor, challenging users to elevate their thinking rather than replace it.

The conversation also explored Cyprus’s AI infrastructure ambitions, including the importance of balancing reliance on hyperscale cloud providers with sovereign capabilities for mission-critical applications. Skourides noted the environmental impact of data centres, warning that the average facility consumes 1.4 million gallons of water that is “enough for 15,000 people.”

Education and workforce transformation remain central to Cyprus’s AI strategy. From school curricula to civil servant upskilling programmes, the government is investing in long-term AI literacy. Skourides mentioned his own 75-year-old mother as a frequent user of AI tools for translation and cooking, illustrating how accessible the technology has become.

“We’re seeing strong uptake among both younger and older generations,” he said, highlighting efforts by the Human Resource Development Authority to integrate AI and cloud training into its official programmes.

He explained that the national AI Task Force brings together researchers, industry leaders, legal experts, and futurists in a structure designed to balance innovation with regulation and ensure alignment across sectors. Key milestones include achieving an AI-first policy by 2028 and rolling out personalised, AI-driven public services by 2030.

Golub and Zamboglou closed the episode by reflecting on Cyprus’s dual leadership in both AI and crypto. They noted that international partnerships, particularly those forged during recent missions to the U.S. and India, are helping to accelerate adoption and investment.

Skourides confirmed that additional initiatives are underway, including policy work on emerging technologies, upcoming AI ethics workshops in London and Dubai, and collaborations with health tech startups and academic researchers to foster multidisciplinary innovation.

When asked what comes next, Skourides was unequivocal: “Our commitment is to build responsibly. To move fast, but not at the expense of people, or principles.”