Cyprus is sharpening its focus on artificial intelligence safety, cybersecurity and scientific research as it deepens engagement with global technology leaders, following fresh warnings that AI-related cyber incidents may be only an early sign of more serious threats ahead.

AI Security Moves To The Forefront

Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, who led the Cypriot delegation to the International AI Summit in Dublin on Wednesday, said the discussions underscored the need for stronger safeguards as Cyprus develops its national approach to artificial intelligence.

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Accompanied by Cyprus’s ambassador to Ireland, Louis Telemachou, Skourides met Sir Demis Hassabis, the recently appointed chief scientist of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, to discuss Cyprus’s priorities in AI research, science and safety.

Writing on his personal social media account, Skourides said: “I had the honour of meeting and congratulating Sir Demis Hassabis on his appointment as Chief Scientist of Alphabet and to share Cyprus’ priorities in AI research, science and safety.”

Early Warning Signs For A Fast-Moving Threat

The Cypriot official highlighted Hassabis’s warning that recent AI-enabled hacking incidents should be viewed as “early warning shots.” The message, Skourides said, was clear: as AI systems become more capable, security practices must keep pace.

Reuters reported that Hassabis called for tougher industry safeguards and the eventual creation of an international standards body to oversee the development of advanced AI.

Hassabis also warned that while the incidents seen so far have been limited, more serious breaches could emerge over the next year or two if technology companies and governments fail to strengthen their security posture.

Learning From High-Risk Industries

Skourides noted that Hassabis drew parallels with other high-risk sectors, including biology and nuclear energy, where the protection of critical systems has long been treated as a strategic priority.

For Cyprus, the lesson is straightforward: prepare before risks scale. “Recent incidents are signals to strengthen security before AI capabilities advance further,” Skourides said, stressing the importance of acting early rather than waiting for threats to intensify.

He also pointed to the defensive value of AI itself. “Use AI to improve cyber defence. AI tools may help identify and address vulnerabilities, supported by rigorous testing and appropriate safeguards,” he said.

Skourides added that progress in AI safety depends on collaboration across disciplines. “Human expertise and multi-disciplinary expertise has never been more relevant and important,” he wrote, underscoring the role of technology, mathematics, science and security specialists in shaping safer systems.

Scientific Discovery And Better Questions

Beyond security, Skourides highlighted AI’s growing role in scientific discovery and the need to direct it toward problems that have received too little attention.

“AI can help us find answers faster, however the art is asking better questions,” he observed, urging researchers to “leverage the power of AI to identify and solve unattended problems.”

He said those priorities are directly relevant to Cyprus’s own strategy. “These reflections reinforce the importance of building AI that advances research and innovation while protecting people and essential systems,” he said. “This is also a priority for Cyprus as we develop our national approach to AI.”

Drug Discovery And Scientific Validation

The discussion also touched on drug discovery, particularly Hassabis’s work at Isomorphic Labs, which uses AI to support the identification and development of potential new medicines.

Skourides said AI could accelerate the search for promising candidates, but stressed that scientific validation remains essential. “AI may help researchers identify and refine promising drug candidates, but that promise must be tested through scientific validation and clinical trials,” he said.

Europe’s Wider AI Balancing Act

The Dublin summit, organised under Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together about 1,500 technology executives, policymakers, researchers and government representatives to examine Europe’s AI competitiveness, infrastructure and regulatory priorities.

Hosted with the involvement of Ireland’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, the event also marked the launch of European AI Innovation Month, which runs until November 17.

Among the participants were European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, Microsoft president Brad Smith and representatives from OpenAI and other leading technology companies.

The gathering comes as the European Union tries to strike a delicate balance: accelerating AI investment and adoption while maintaining the safeguards needed to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and public services from emerging risks.