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AI Spurs Productivity Surge In The Eurozone, ECB Cautions On Labor Impact

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde told a European Parliament committee that artificial intelligence is already contributing to productivity gains across the eurozone. At the same time, she said concerns about large-scale job losses remain largely theoretical at this stage.

Her remarks reflect a growing policy focus on how AI adoption may reshape economic performance while raising longer-term questions about labor markets.

AI As A Catalyst For Productivity

The integration of artificial intelligence into various industries is yielding tangible efficiency gains. According to Lagarde, current developments indicate that AI is effectively boosting productivity levels, reinforcing its status as a transformative force in today’s business landscape. This growth trajectory underscores the potential for AI to drive future economic resilience.

Vigilance Over Labour Market Implications

Despite productivity improvements, Lagarde said there is no clear sign so far of widespread employment disruption linked to AI adoption. She noted that while automation is influencing how businesses operate, it has not yet resulted in large-scale layoffs. The ECB continues to monitor labor market indicators as technology adoption expands.

A Balanced Perspective On Technology And Jobs

The discussion highlights a broader policy challenge for Europe: supporting innovation while maintaining labor market stability. Policymakers are increasingly focused on ensuring that productivity gains from AI translate into sustainable economic growth without creating abrupt employment shocks. Lagarde’s comments reflect the ECB’s position that the impact of AI on jobs remains uncertain and will depend on how companies, workers, and regulators adapt in the coming years.

Cyprus Industrial Production Advances Amid Diversified Sector Growth In 2025

Cyprus’ Industrial Production Index rose to 113.0 points in December 2025, marking a 3.5% increase compared with the same month a year earlier, according to data from the Cyprus Statistical Service. The figures suggest continued industrial momentum as the country’s production base expands across several manufacturing segments.

Overview Of Economic Momentum

Based on the 2021 reference value of 100 points, industrial output maintained an upward trend throughout 2025. For the full year, production increased by 3.6%, reflecting steady growth supported by manufacturing activity and ongoing industrial investment.

Sector Analysis: Winners And Losers

Manufacturing remained the main driver of growth, expanding by 4.6% in December. Water supply and materials recovery also contributed, rising by 3.2%.

Other sectors showed weaker performance. Electricity supply declined by 2.4% compared with December 2024, while mining and quarrying fell by 1.7%, highlighting uneven performance across the industrial landscape.

In-Depth Manufacturing Performance

Within manufacturing, furniture production and related activities, including machinery repair and installation, recorded one of the strongest gains, rising 13.8% year over year.

Wood and cork products, excluding furniture, increased by 11.9%, while machinery, motor vehicles, and transport equipment production rose by 8.1%.

Annual Trends And Segment Challenges

For the full year, the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products posted the strongest growth, rising 10.9% compared with 2024. Wood and cork products grew by 9.1%, while basic metals and fabricated metal products increased by 8%.

Furniture-related activities expanded by 7.2%. At the same time, paper products and printing declined by 9.5%, while textiles, apparel, and leather products fell by 3.8%. Electricity supply recorded a full-year decline of 2%, underscoring differences in sector performance.

Outlook

The latest data points to continued growth in Cyprus’ industrial sector, led primarily by manufacturing. At the same time, weaker performance in energy and selected manufacturing segments highlights areas where productivity and investment strategies may shape future industrial performance.

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