The Cypriot banking sector remains in a strong position, supported by solid capital buffers and overall financial stability, according to speakers at the annual general meeting of the Association of Cyprus Banks. At the same time, government officials and regulators stressed that maintaining this position will require continued discipline and long-term planning.

A Strong Sector, But Not A Complacent One

Finance Minister Makis Keravnos used the meeting to highlight concerns over draft laws recently passed by parliament, which, according to the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the Legal Service, may contain constitutional, legal and institutional issues. Those concerns, he noted, led to presidential referrals and remittals to the Supreme Court.

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Keravnos also said the European Central Bank had been consulted on proposed measures concerning the suspension of foreclosures and the restructuring of loans and guarantees, adding that the ECB had expressed its own concerns.

Profitability Should Reflect Real Economy Lending

While acknowledging that the banking sector remains highly profitable, Keravnos said earnings are expected to reach around €1 billion in 2025, lower than in 2024 as interest-rate conditions gradually normalize.

He said he would prefer bank profitability to rely more on lending to businesses operating in productive sectors and less on the widening of European Central Bank interest-rate spreads.

According to the minister, Cyprus’ return to investment-grade status after 11 years has strengthened the country’s appeal to foreign investors, technology companies and startups. He said this should encourage banks to offer financing that better supports businesses while improving the diversification of their loan portfolios.

The Central Bank’s Warning: Strength Today Is Not A Guarantee Tomorrow

Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Patsalides also warned against complacency, saying the sector’s current strength should not be taken for granted.

“The Cypriot banking sector is strong today. But strength that truly matters is not exhausted by a capital ratio, a profit line or a favorable cycle,” he said.

Patsalides added that lasting resilience depends on institutions remaining strong as conditions change, risks become more complex, and competition evolves. In his view, that requires sufficient capital buffers, adaptable infrastructure and management teams prepared for changing market conditions.

Long-Term Resilience Over Short-Term Gains

Patsalides also stressed that banks should focus on long-term resilience rather than short-term performance. Decisions on dividend policy, capital allocation and the use of resources, he said, should take into account continued investment in technology, operational resilience, human capital and long-term adaptability.

He added that banks able to remain competitive over time will be those that invest early in strengthening their capacity to adapt and respond to future challenges.

Google has unveiled a dedicated mobile app for Google Finance, bringing watchlists, real-time market data, live financial news and the company’s AI-powered “Key Moments” feature into a single platform.

Google Finance Moves From Web Feature To Standalone Product

The new app is launching on Android first, with an iOS version expected in the coming months. Google says additional capabilities are on the roadmap, including the ability to listen to live earnings calls.

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For users, the pitch is straightforward: a faster, more centralized way to track markets and monitor portfolio activity. For Google, the opportunity is larger. By separating Finance into its own app, the company is making a clearer play for daily engagement in a category long dominated by established platforms such as Yahoo Finance and trading apps like Robinhood.

An AI Layer Designed To Explain Market Movement

One of the app’s key features is Google’s AI-powered “Key Moments” tool, which explains why a stock is moving. Rather than requiring users to piece together headlines and market data themselves, the feature is intended to provide context behind price movements.

Google Finance Web Experience Expands Beyond Beta

Alongside the app launch, Google said its revamped Google Finance web experience, first introduced last year, is now moving out of beta. The updated platform includes new portfolio functionality designed to give users a consolidated view of holdings and performance.

Existing Google Finance portfolios will automatically appear in the new experience. Users can also create new portfolios by uploading files or describing their investments to the chatbot, making setup more accessible for retail investors who manage assets across multiple accounts.

The rollout is global, and it marks a meaningful step in Google’s effort to turn Finance into a more comprehensive destination rather than a standalone market widget.

AI Research And Natural Language Tasks Add Another Layer

The company is also introducing an AI research tool that allows users to ask portfolio-specific questions, such as which sectors are underrepresented in their holdings.

In addition, Google has added a task feature that enables users to create recurring briefings, market summaries and performance updates using natural-language prompts. Once configured, these tasks run automatically in the background.

Google said the new portfolio and task features are available on the web starting today and will arrive on the mobile app in the coming months.

Anthropic’s Claude is increasingly winning over paying consumers, according to transaction data from Indagari, a credit card analytics firm that tracks billions of anonymized transactions across roughly 28 million U.S. consumers.

The takeaway is significant. Claude is no longer best understood as a niche tool for enterprise teams and developers using Claude Code. The data points to a broader, healthier customer base that extends deeper into consumer spending.

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Paying Users Continue To Rise

Indagari’s analysis covers weekly transactions from 2025 through May 10, 2026, including subscriptions and API token purchases. While the dataset does not provide a complete picture of Anthropic’s revenue or total customer base, it offers an indication of broader spending trends.

According to the firm, Anthropic’s paying consumer base and related revenue have increased steadily throughout the year, with this segment growing by around 75% since January 2026.

Growth continued following a surge in March, when Anthropic drew attention after declining to allow its models to be used by the Trump administration for mass surveillance of Americans and autonomous weapons.

Consumer Interest Is Spreading Beyond Transactions

Additional indicators also point to rising consumer interest. DataCamp, an online learning platform with around 20 million users, said Claude has become the most searched term on its platform, surpassing even “AI.”

The company also reported that demand for Claude-related courses among self-directed learners is running three to one ahead of ChatGPT, while interest in those courses has increased 18-fold over the past 30 days.

ChatGPT Still Leads The Market

Despite Claude’s growth, ChatGPT remains the leading consumer AI product.

Recent data from Sensor Tower shows Claude expanding across platforms this year while still trailing ChatGPT by a considerable margin. Indagari’s transaction data reflects a similar pattern, indicating that ChatGPT continues to have significantly more paying users, although its growth has moderated as its user base has expanded.

A Business Story Investors Will Watch Closely

Anthropic’s growth comes as both the company and OpenAI move closer to becoming public companies, with investors expected to focus on customer growth, revenue quality and diversification.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government barred Anthropic from making its cybersecurity-focused models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, available to non-Americans. The company subsequently withdrew the models from the market.

Available data nevertheless suggests Anthropic continues to expand across both its consumer and business segments.

Prediction market platform Polymarket said hackers stole funds from an unspecified number of users after compromising a third-party vendor and injecting malicious code into the company’s website.

What Polymarket Says Happened

In a post on X on Thursday, Polymarket said the incident affected “some users” and that it has since contained the breach. The company added that it is contacting affected customers and will refund them in full.

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As of Thursday afternoon, however, the full scope of the incident remained unclear. A Polymarket spokesperson confirmed that the breach resulted in the theft of user funds but declined to provide additional details.

Reports Point To Phishing And Crypto Losses

Around the same time as Polymarket’s disclosure, blockchain monitoring firm PeckShield reported on X that a phishing campaign targeting Polymarket users was underway. According to the firm, approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency was stolen.

A blockchain analyst also reported similar losses, claiming the funds had been taken from more than 11 victims. Because Polymarket allows users to deposit cryptocurrency, account security remains a key consideration for its users.

Another Setback For A Company Under Pressure

The security incident comes during a difficult week for the company. On Sunday, an investigation revealed that Polymarket had paid online creators to publish deceptive videos portraying fake betting wins as genuine. In response, the company said it would audit its promotional content.

In recent days, two users also claimed on social media that funds had been stolen from their Polymarket accounts, adding to concerns over the platform’s security and user trust.

Eurobank has emerged as one of the first 41 companies in Greece to receive the newly introduced Diversity Seal, a state-backed distinction designed to recognise employers that put equality, diversity and inclusion into practice.

State Recognition For Inclusion In Action

The award was presented under an initiative launched by Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family to recognise private-sector organisations that have embedded equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion into their business operations.

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Presented on June 18, 2026, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, the initiative aims to give formal recognition to companies that integrate inclusive practices into their workplace culture. Eurobank was represented at the ceremony by Group Chief Human Resources Officer Natassa Paschali.

A Structured Framework For Accountability

The Diversity Seal is the first organised state initiative in Greece designed to assess and recognise companies for implementing equal-opportunity policies and preventing workplace discrimination.

Assessments are based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, examining not only company policies but also how inclusion is reflected in workplace culture, hiring practices and workforce composition.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to establish a structured framework for evaluating and recognising diversity and inclusion practices across the private sector.

Eurobank Frames Inclusion As A Business Priority

Eurobank said the distinction reflects its long-standing commitment to creating a modern and inclusive working environment. According to the bank, respect, collaboration and equal opportunities are central to its corporate culture, while employees play an important role in fostering a workplace where diversity supports creativity, development and progress.

The bank also said its diversity, equality and inclusion policy is aligned with its core values and is intended to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to develop without discrimination.

That commitment applies regardless of personal characteristics, age, gender, family status, physical or mobility-related challenges, sexual orientation, social and economic background, or other characteristics and beliefs.

Why The Award Matters Now

The recognition comes at a time when environmental, social and governance considerations, including diversity and inclusion policies, are drawing greater attention from regulators, investors and businesses across Europe.

In that environment, workplace inclusion is increasingly viewed as more than a human resources initiative. It is becoming part of the broader governance and reputation agenda, with implications for resilience, culture and stakeholder trust.

Government And Corporate Leaders Emphasise Practice Over Promises

Commenting on the award, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou congratulated Eurobank and said diversity and inclusion should be reflected in everyday business operations rather than remain at the level of policy commitments. She noted that the Diversity Seal is awarded only after a formal evaluation process confirming that companies apply inclusion policies in practice.

“In a sector that is directly linked to trust, access and service for citizens, equality and inclusion cannot remain at the level of declarations,” Michailidou said. “They must be reflected in the way a bank organises its daily operations, supports its people, provides equal opportunities for advancement and creates a working environment free from exclusion.”

Paschali described the distinction as recognition of Eurobank’s long-term commitment to building an inclusive workplace and credited the bank’s employees with shaping its culture.

“Receiving the Diversity Seal is an important recognition of our commitment to creating a modern and deeply human working environment,” she said. “This distinction belongs to the people of Eurobank, who every day help shape a culture of respect, collaboration and inclusion.”

She also thanked the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family for the initiative, adding that Eurobank would continue investing in actions that strengthen equal participation, development and opportunities for everyone.

Part Of Greece’s Wider Recovery Agenda

The Diversity Seal is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family through the “Awareness of Diversity” initiative under Greece’s “Greece 2.0” National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The programme is funded through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU initiative, which supports reforms and investments aimed at strengthening social cohesion, economic resilience and sustainable development across member states.

The global aerospace supply chain has become an increasingly significant challenge for airlines, affecting fleet expansion, maintenance operations and operating costs.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), persistent delays in aircraft deliveries, shortages of spare parts and limited maintenance capacity continue to disrupt airline operations, prompting the organisation to outline four priorities aimed at strengthening the aviation supply chain.

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Delay And Shortage Pressure Is Spreading Across Aviation

The priorities were presented at the inaugural IATA World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid, where the association called for stronger supply chain visibility, a more open aftermarket, greater use of data and artificial intelligence, and renewed investment in maintenance technician training.

The scale of the challenge was also highlighted during IATA’s recent Annual General Meeting. IATA Director General Willie Walsh said the aircraft order backlog had climbed to more than 18,000, while the average fleet age had reached a record 15.2 years.

Airlines were also “short over 5,000 more fuel-efficient replacement aircraft that airlines had counted on,” he said, a gap that has translated into “missed efficiency gains, not to mention higher lease rates and increased maintenance costs.”

“In total, supply chain failures cost airlines at least $11 billion in 2025. Today’s higher fuel prices will only make that worse,” Walsh said in IATA’s Report on the Air Transport Industry.

Pressure now extends well beyond aircraft deliveries, according to IATA. Engines, materials, spare parts and maintenance capacity are all under strain, creating bottlenecks across the aviation value chain.

“Alongside aircraft delivery delays, engine durability issues, shortages of materials and spare parts, and constrained maintenance capacity are disrupting airline operations,” said Stuart Fox, IATA’s Director of Flight and Technical Operations. “Addressing these challenges will require practical action and cooperation across the aviation value chain.”

Four Priorities For A Strained Supply Chain

IATA says the industry’s response should focus on four practical areas.

1. Better Supply Chain Visibility

The priority is improved visibility across the supply chain. IATA argues that airlines need earlier and more reliable information from manufacturers on delivery delays, repair turnaround times, parts availability and known bottlenecks so they can plan their networks more effectively.

2. A More Open Aftermarket

The association is also calling for a more open aftermarket, urging more manufacturers to adopt the key principles in the IATA-CFM agreement. The framework supports greater competition by strengthening access to third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, alternative parts and approved repairs.

IATA said long-standing commercial restrictions on repair instructions, tooling, approved repair networks and spare parts distribution can limit airlines’ ability to use safe, certified alternatives. In practice, that reduces competition, extends waiting times and raises costs.

3. Smarter Use Of Data And AI

A third priority is unlocking the value of data, digitalisation and artificial intelligence. IATA said closer integration between airline maintenance systems and external market intelligence could improve inventory management, highlight material scarcity, support repair-or-replace decisions and strengthen warranty claims.

Artificial intelligence, the association added, could also help airlines forecast demand, identify shortages and reduce manual work at a time when parts availability has become harder to manage.

IATA pointed to its cooperation with the International Airlines Technical Pool (IATP) to help airlines improve visibility and access to aircraft parts, as well as its decision to make MRO SmartHub available to airlines at no cost through a data participation programme.

4. Expanding Human Capacity

The fourth priority is human capacity. IATA wants the industry to revisit recruitment, training and licensing for maintenance technicians, arguing that timelines must be shorter, access broader and careers more stable.

The need is significant. Boeing estimates that 710,000 new technicians will be required over the next 20 years. IATA said that increasing training capacity, removing unnecessary qualification bottlenecks and improving cross-border recognition of skills would help close the gap.

Safety Deadlines Must Reflect Real-World Constraints

IATA also used the symposium to argue for realistic, globally coordinated timelines for mandates requiring new aircraft equipment or avionics upgrades.

The association said compliance deadlines must account for certification requirements, equipment availability, installation capacity and broader supply chain conditions. It has raised these concerns with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), including requirements linked to the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS), Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B).

“This is not about delaying safety. It is about making safety deliverable,” Fox said. He added that “global safety improvements require globally coordinated implementation timelines that reflect certification, equipment availability, and installation capacity.”

A Call For Cooperation Across The Aviation Value Chain

Fox said the current pressure on the supply chain should be treated as a call to action rather than a reason for pessimism.

“These four priorities alone are not complete solutions,” he said. “But they would be an important step for OEMs, suppliers, MROs, lessors, regulators and airlines working together to achieve the resilient aerospace supply chains that global connectivity needs.”

Micron shares surged in premarket trading on Thursday after the company reported third-quarter results that highlighted strong demand for memory chips driven by continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Revenue reached $41.46 billion in the fiscal third quarter, up from $9.3 billion a year earlier and well above LSEG consensus estimates of nearly $36 billion.

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The company also forecast revenue of around $50 billion for the current quarter, compared with $11.3 billion in the same period last year. Following the results, Micron shares climbed 16.4% in premarket trading, extending gains over the past year and lifting the company’s market value to about $1.2 trillion.

AI Data Centers Are Tightening The Memory Market

The company’s performance reflects a broader supply-chain shift. As hyperscalers and other large cloud operators pour capital into AI infrastructure, data centers are consuming vast quantities of memory chips. That has reduced availability for smartphones, PCs and other consumer devices, creating a supply imbalance that has lifted memory prices and supercharged Micron’s results.

Micron said Wednesday that it has signed 16 long-term agreements with customers spanning data centers and automakers, locking in sales for three to five years and generating expected financial commitments of $22 billion. For a cyclical industry long exposed to boom-and-bust demand swings, that kind of visibility is especially valuable.

RBC Capital Markets analysts estimated that about 40% of Micron’s revenue now comes from long-term contracts with minimum pricing built in. That structure should help cushion margins if demand softens over time, the analysts said, while also reducing the company’s exposure to abrupt pricing declines.

“Our base case is for current upcycle to continue through 2027, and SCAs give us added conviction regarding sustainability,” RBC analysts wrote, adding that they raised estimates, lifted their price target and reiterated an Outperform rating.

Tech Stocks Catch A Bid

Micron’s results also lifted sentiment across the semiconductor sector following a broader sell-off earlier in the week. In premarket trading, Qualcomm gained 12%, Intel rose nearly 6%, AMD advanced 3.6%, and Nvidia added 1.5%.

“U.S. equities have recovered some ground as Micron’s earnings have provided fresh reassurance that the AI investment cycle remains firmly intact,” said Capital.com senior market analyst Daniela Hathorn.

She added that continued demand from data centres and AI infrastructure customers suggests capital spending on artificial intelligence remains strong, helping restore confidence across semiconductor stocks after recent market weakness.

The latest results also highlight the increasingly important role memory chips are playing in the AI supply chain, alongside processors and software, as investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to accelerate.

Energy storage is set to play a central role in Cyprus’ electricity system, helping the country manage renewable energy more efficiently, reduce curtailment from solar and other clean sources, and strengthen grid stability.

Speaking after the signing of an agreement between the Cyprus Transmission System Operator and CYTA for the supply and installation of the country’s first large-scale energy storage systems, Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michalis Damianos described the project as a major step in modernising the national power network.

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A Strategic Step In Modernizing The Power System

Damianos said the initiative marks an important milestone in Cyprus’ broader effort to upgrade its energy infrastructure.

“With its implementation, we are entering a new phase in strengthening the resilience and reliability of our island’s electricity grid,” he said. “These storage projects will materially improve the management of renewable energy production, reduce the curtailment of electricity from renewables, and reinforce system stability.”

Energy Transition Requires Time, Coordination And Execution

According to the minister, the energy transition is a complex process that requires careful planning, technical coordination and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders. Against that backdrop, Tuesday’s agreement represents a significant step in implementing Cyprus’ national energy storage strategy and advancing the country’s broader green transition.

Damianos also praised the Transmission System Operator for its planning and execution, while commending CYTA for taking responsibility for the project. “Collaboration among public organizations is a cornerstone for delivering projects that serve the public interest and advance our national energy and climate goals,” he said.

Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy through a more efficient, reliable and lower-emission electricity system.

Three Sites, One Systemic Objective

Stavros Stavrinos, executive director of the Cyprus Transmission System Operator, said the project stems from Regulatory Authority of Energy Cyprus decision 217/2025, issued on June 18, 2025, which instructs the operator to deploy storage systems at three existing transmission substations.

Funding for the systems is expected to come from the EU cohesion policy programme Thalia 2021-2027. For that purpose, the operator is working closely with the Control Directorate of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, which acts as the intermediate body.

Under the project, a 40 MW / 80 MWh storage system will be installed at Athalassa substation in the Nicosia district, while two additional 40 MW systems, with 160 MWh of storage each, will be deployed at the Anatoliko and Free Industrial Zone substations in the Paphos and Larnaca districts, respectively.

Why Location Matters

Stavrinos explained that the three substations were selected to maximise the operational value of the storage systems.

Their direct connection to the transmission network will allow the batteries to provide the required reserves without restrictions, while supporting smoother electricity flows and reducing congestion during periods of high demand.

He added that the project will not affect existing renewable energy developments, whose planning and grid connection work are already included in the transmission system’s ten-year development plan.

Preparing For A Grid Dominated By Renewables

Stavrinos said the role of storage is becoming more urgent as Cyprus’ installed photovoltaic capacity has surpassed 1,040 MW, compared with the average national demand of about 650 MW.

“This level of penetration requires flexible resources,” he said. “Storage gives the operator another tool to ensure the system can respond to demand in a reliable way, which is part of our statutory responsibility.”

He also pointed to the fact that renewable generation already covers more than 60% of demand for several hours on many days, and in some half-hour periods reaches 70% over the course of the year. That is a significant achievement, he said, but it also underscores the need for new balancing mechanisms that can protect system stability as renewable penetration rises further.

Grid-Forming Technology Signals A New Phase

One of the most notable elements of the project is that one of the storage systems will feature grid-forming technology, a capability Stavrinos described as a step toward introducing advanced solutions into Cyprus’ power system.

He noted that this technology was developed to support isolated electricity systems such as Cyprus, where flexibility and resilience are especially valuable. For the operator, he said, it represents another major technical challenge, but also a strategic opportunity.

Private Investment Can Advance Alongside Public Infrastructure

Alongside the state-backed project, privately developed storage facilities are also moving forward. According to Stavrinos, the operator has already issued connection terms for independent storage systems with a combined capacity of 60MW and 190MWh, with several projects now at an advanced stage.

“Our conclusion is clear: all storage projects are welcome and necessary if Cyprus is to meet European and national renewable targets,” he said. “They will significantly reduce renewable curtailment and, by extension, emissions. Ultimately, the consumer should benefit through lower electricity costs and improved system performance.”

Implementation is expected to begin shortly, with an estimated eight-month period before the systems enter the execution phase.

CYTA Sees Public Value And Institutional Confidence

CYTA chair Maria Tsiakka said the company will deliver the project through an open and transparent process designed to benefit citizens, support technological progress and contribute to sustainable development.

She added that the assignment reflects the confidence placed in CYTA to manage complex national infrastructure projects while reinforcing its role in initiatives that create value for the wider economy. “Our participation also reflects CYTA’s active role in initiatives that create real value for the economy,” she said.

Tsiakka said CYTA will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the project is delivered on schedule and meets the country’s future energy needs.

Women now make up the majority of the EU’s science and technology workforce. According to Eurostat, in 2025, more than 81.6 million people aged 15 to 74 were employed in science and technology occupations across the EU. Of those, 52.5% were women, equal to 42.8 million women. The number of women in these occupations rose by 27.9% compared with 2015, an increase of more than 9.3 million over a decade.

On the surface, the numbers resemble progress. However, Eurostat’s category requires context before that figure can be read accurately. The data refers to HRST, or Human Resources in Science and Technology, specifically people employed in science and technology occupations. These are roles where the main tasks require professional or technical knowledge in physical and life sciences, but also in social sciences and humanities. That definition is wider and broader than engineering, ICT, laboratory science, or high-tech research alone.

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Zooming In

The gender picture changes once the data moves from a wider definition of the workforce to the narrower scientist-and-engineer (research and manufacturing) subgroup.

Scientists and engineers represented almost a quarter of all people employed in science and technology in the EU in 2025. Eurostat describes scientists and engineers as often being the innovators at the centre of technology-led development, making them an important subgroup to focus on separately.

Women accounted for only 40.8% of scientists and engineers in 2025, despite making up more than half of the wider category. That share has increased by a mere 0.5 percentage points over the past decade. The absolute number of women working as scientists and engineers rose from 5.3 million in 2015 to 8.2 million in 2025, despite the push from national and international organisations to increase the number of women in the field. Europe has expanded the number of women in science and technology occupations over ten years. However, that expansion has not extended equally into the scientist-and-engineer subgroup, where much of Europe’s research and innovation work is conducted.

In 2025, of the 39.4 million women aged 25 to 64 working in science and technology occupations in the EU, 35.5 million worked in service activities. Only 2.7 million worked in manufacturing. Women accounted for 57.5% of science and technology employment in services, but only 31.3% in manufacturing.

In 2025, the highest shares of women employed in science and technology occupations were recorded in Latvia at 62.4%, followed by Hungary’s Great Plain and North region at 61.1%, Estonia at 60.5%, Poland’s Central macroregion at 60.4%, and Lithuania at 60.3%. No EU country recorded a majority of women among science and technology workers in manufacturing.

Break-down

Eurostat’s figures measure employment in broad science and technology occupations. They do not show job security, pay levels, management roles, promotion rates, research leadership, or whether women are concentrated in junior or senior workplace positions.

The classification of “senior” also requires additional explanation. Eurostat reports that 45.9% of science and technology workers aged 25 to 64 in the EU were classified as “senior” HRST in 2025. In this dataset, “senior” refers to workers aged 45 to 64. It does not mean senior manager, senior researcher, team lead, or decision-maker.

A high female share in the wider Human Resource Science and Technology (HRST) category does not parallel equal representation across scientists, engineers, manufacturing roles, senior posts, pay, research funding, or decision-making. These figures also reflect the occupational mix inside each country or region, not only structural progress across all areas of science and technology.

The Case Of Cyprus

Eurostat data places Cyprus’s overall science and technology employment at 37.2% of the labour force in 2025, slightly above the EU-27 figure of 36.9%, and above Greece at 26.8%, Malta at 33.9%, and Turkey at 18.2%. This figure covers the total share of the labour force employed in science and technology across all genders.

Progress Or Work-in-Progress?

52.5% in the broad category. 40.8% among scientists and engineers. 31.3% in manufacturing. Europe’s gender gap in science and technology hasn’t closed yet, and there is still work to be done to encourage and support more women to enter the field, especially in research and manufacturing.

Let’s not wait another decade for another couple of percentage points of hope.

Meta is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to strengthen Facebook’s appeal among creators, unveiling plans to transform Creator Studio into a standalone AI-powered companion app designed to simplify content management and audience growth.

An AI Assistant Built Around Creator Workflows

Announced on Wednesday, the new app is currently being tested with a select group of creators and incorporates Facebook’s recently launched AI creator assistant. According to Meta, the tool provides personalised recommendations based on a creator’s content, audience engagement, performance metrics and growth objectives.

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Rather than navigating multiple dashboards and analytics reports, creators will be able to ask questions directly in a conversational format. Queries such as when to post, how content is performing or what audiences are discussing in the comments can be answered through the assistant, with follow-up prompts offering deeper insights into engagement trends.

From Analytics To Action

Beyond reporting performance data, the platform is designed to help creators act on those insights. A new AI-powered comment management tool will identify priority interactions and suggest responses tailored to the creator’s tone and style. Suggested replies can be reviewed and edited before publication, allowing creators to maintain control over their communication while reducing the time spent managing engagement.

Daily recommendations will also be integrated into the app, highlighting key tasks such as reviewing recent content performance, tracking progress toward audience goals and responding to important comments. The aim is to turn Creator Studio into a more comprehensive productivity tool rather than a traditional analytics platform.

Why Meta Is Pushing Harder For Creators

The initiative comes as competition for creators intensifies across social media platforms. Facebook continues to compete with TikTok and YouTube for audience attention, making creator retention an increasingly important priority. By embedding AI more deeply into creator workflows, Meta is seeking to make content planning, performance analysis and community management easier without requiring users to rely on external tools.

Keeping more of those activities within Facebook’s ecosystem could help strengthen creator engagement while reducing dependence on third-party AI platforms for brainstorming, analytics and audience insights.

Part Of A Broader App Expansion Strategy

Wednesday’s announcement fits into a broader pattern of product launches from Meta. Last month, the company introduced Forum, a stand-alone app for Facebook Groups that functions similarly to Reddit. In April, it launched Instants, an app for sharing disappearing photos with Instagram friends.

The pipeline appears to be growing. The New York Times reported this week that Meta is also building a prediction-market app internally known as Arena, though it has not yet launched. Taken together, these products suggest a company that is increasingly comfortable spinning up focused apps around specific use cases instead of relying solely on its flagship platforms.

That approach aligns with comments CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly made to employees earlier this year, when he pointed to AI-driven efficiencies as a way for Meta to build more apps than it historically has. The message is clear: Meta is not just adding AI features. It is reorganizing product strategy around them.