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Multi-Million Euro Deal In Paphos: Old American Academy Transformed Into British-Owned Educational Institution

In a significant development for Cyprus’ educational landscape, the historic American Academy in Paphos has been sold and will be transformed into a British-owned educational institution. This multi-million euro deal marks a pivotal moment for the local education sector, promising to elevate the standards and reputation of Paphos as a hub for high-quality international education.

The American Academy, a landmark institution in Paphos, has long been revered for its commitment to academic excellence and community service. Its transformation under British ownership is set to introduce a new era of educational innovation and international collaboration. The acquisition by British interests underscores the growing appeal of Cyprus as a destination for international education investment, driven by its strategic location, favourable climate, and robust educational framework.

The new British educational institution will benefit from substantial investments aimed at upgrading and expanding the existing infrastructure. These enhancements will include state-of-the-art classrooms, modern science laboratories, advanced sports facilities, and comprehensive digital learning environments. The focus will be on creating a holistic educational experience that combines academic rigour with extracurricular development, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the globalised world.

The institution will offer a diverse curriculum designed to meet international standards, providing students with opportunities to pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels, and other globally recognised qualifications. This curriculum will not only attract local students but also appeal to the expatriate community and international students seeking high-quality education in a supportive and multicultural environment.

One of the key aspects of this transformation is the emphasis on fostering strong ties between the educational institution and the local community. The British owners are committed to maintaining the legacy of the American Academy by continuing its tradition of community engagement and social responsibility. This includes partnerships with local businesses, cultural organisations, and government bodies to promote educational initiatives and community development projects.

The investment in the Paphos educational sector is expected to have a broader economic impact, generating employment opportunities for local educators, administrative staff, and support services. It will also attract families and professionals to the region, boosting the local economy and contributing to the socio-economic development of Paphos.

Furthermore, the presence of a high-calibre British educational institution in Paphos will enhance the city’s reputation as a centre for academic excellence and innovation. It will draw international attention, positioning Paphos as a competitive destination for educational tourism. This is particularly significant in the context of the global education market, where parents and students are increasingly seeking schools that offer a blend of rigorous academics, cultural exposure, and holistic development.

The transformation of the American Academy into a British-owned institution reflects the broader trends of globalisation and international collaboration in education. It signifies a commitment to providing students with a world-class education that equips them with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

AI Makes 52% Of Workers Appear More Experienced Than They Are

Artificial intelligence is helping many office workers produce work beyond their experience level, making it harder for employers to assess underlying skills.

A survey of 9,684 working adults across the US, UK, Canada, the EU and Latin America by Use.AI found that 52% believe AI has made them appear more experienced than they are.

AI Is Raising Output Faster Than Skills

Some 64% said they had used AI to complete work they could not have done independently, while 43% said it enabled them to take on responsibilities they did not feel qualified to handle.

Another 35% said they would struggle to perform parts of their current jobs without AI, and 25% worried their employers see them as more capable than they are. Meanwhile, 39% had submitted AI-assisted work without telling their manager, and 30% had accepted praise for output substantially produced by AI.

For 19% of respondents, AI-assisted work had contributed to a promotion.

Should Employees Disclose AI Use?

As AI becomes embedded in everyday software, requiring disclosure of every interaction may be impractical.

“I do not think companies should require employees to disclose every interaction with AI,” Ihor Herasymov, co-founder and chief executive of Use.AI, told Euronews. He said disclosure should apply when AI materially shapes the work.

“If it generated a significant part of an analysis, recommendation, presentation, code or other consequential output, employees should disclose that assistance,” Herasymov said. Employees should remain responsible for understanding, verifying and defending the work they submit.

Managers Need New Ways To Assess Performance

AI-assisted workers are not necessarily unqualified, but finished work now reveals less about the person who produced it.

“Finished output still matters, but it is becoming a less complete measure of capability,” Herasymov said. Managers should also assess whether employees can explain their reasoning, identify weaknesses in AI-generated answers and make sound decisions when the technology fails.

Problem framing is another key skill, he said: “Can someone define the right question, challenge an assumption and explain why one course of action is better than another?”

Organizations are still developing ways to distinguish what employees can produce with AI from what they actually understand.

AI Tool Or Dependency?

The finding that 35% of workers would struggle without AI raises questions about whether augmentation can become dependency.

“Yes, I think that finding deserves to be taken seriously,” Herasymov said, arguing that the risk emerges when workers cannot recognize incorrect AI output or make sound judgments when the system has no reliable answer.

AI can make workers faster and expand their capabilities, he said, but weaker independent judgment is a trade-off employers and technology companies need to address.

AI Autonomy Is Accelerating

The challenge is growing as AI systems become more autonomous. Ventureburn, citing METR data, reported that the time required for AI autonomy to double has fallen from an eight-month trend to 4.7 months.

Autonomous capabilities increased 1,400% year over year between early 2025 and early 2026, while AI tool downloads reportedly rose from 15,000 to 11.8 million. Publicly available MCP tools increased 35-fold to about 177,000.

MCP, or Model Context Protocol, lets AI assistants connect directly to applications and data sources to perform tasks. As AI takes on more work with less human intervention, employers may need to assess not only the final output but also the judgment behind it.

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