Breaking news

Cyprus Expands AI And Blue Economy Programs In Europe

Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides has spearheaded a strategic series of high‐level engagements in Brussels and the Netherlands, underscoring Cyprus’ commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI), ocean policy, and science‐based policymaking within the European Union.

Engaging With European Leaders

Following his participation in the Women Who Built Europe Summit in Brussels, Mr. Skourides met with top European officials. A key discussion with European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis focused on leveraging AI to support the development and implementation of ocean-related policy, aligning with the broader objectives of the European Ocean Pact and the Ocean Eye initiative.

Innovative Technologies For A Blue Economy

Delegations underscored the integration of advanced sensor technologies with AI-powered systems to enhance monitoring, forecasting, and decision-making capabilities across marine environments. By transitioning from predictive insights to actionable intelligence, European policymakers are better equipped to address complex challenges in ocean governance and promote the growth of the blue economy.

Advancing Science-For-Policy

In addition to his discussions in Brussels, Mr. Skourides represented Cyprus at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Board of Governors in Petten. Strategic sessions focused on the pivotal role of science in evidence-based policymaking, including topics from vehicle market surveillance to advanced hazard diagnosis in nuclear emergencies. The collaborative initiatives, such as the DAPHNE initiative and the development of a Code of Conduct for Energy Smart Appliances, highlight the transformative impact of emerging AI tools on testing and validation processes.

Innovation In Green Energy And Technology

The delegation also visited the InVesta Experience Centre, a living laboratory that bridges the gap between research and commercialization in green energy. This pioneering hub facilitates plug-and-play solutions for biomass and hydrogen technology, serving as a model for accelerating Europe’s green transition through integrated innovation and business incubation.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

Mr. Skourides further deepened bilateral cooperation with Joint Research Centre Director General Bernard Magenhann, discussing how AI can further refine evidence-based policymaking and streamline data-driven decision processes. These engagements highlight Cyprus’ active role in shaping a forward-looking dialogue on sustainability, AI, and technology within the European ecosystem.

Through these high-level meetings, Cyprus not only reinforces its strategic positioning as a hub for research and technology but also contributes significantly to shaping policy frameworks that balance innovation with sustainable resource management across Europe.

payabl. Launches Click To Pay With Visa To Help Merchants Improve Checkout Conversion And Reduce Fraud

payabl. has launched Click to Pay with Visa, a new card payment experience designed to help merchants reduce checkout friction, improve authorisation rates, and deliver a faster, more secure online payment journey.

WhatsApp Image 2026 04 16 at 10.37.46

Click to Pay replaces manual card number entry with a token-based checkout experience. Once a customer’s card is enrolled, they can complete purchases in just a few clicks, without re-entering card details. The result is a faster checkout that mirrors the ease of contactless payments in-store, while maintaining strong security standards.

For merchants, the impact is measurable. According to Visa, Click to Pay can deliver up to a 11% uplift in authorisation rates compared to manual card entry, alongside significant fraud reduction through network tokenisation. Faster checkout also helps reduce cart abandonment, particularly on mobile, where typing card details remains a major source of friction.

“With online checkout, every extra step costs conversion,” said Breno Oliveira, Chief Product Officer at payabl. “Visa Click to Pay removes one of the biggest points of friction at the moment of purchase. It helps merchants approve more legitimate transactions, reduce fraud exposure, and give customers the experience they already expect.” 

Visa Click to Pay is available through payabl. checkout, enabling merchants to activate the service without additional integration complexity. The solution works across devices and supports existing security flows, including 3D Secure where required.

“Consumers have come to expect a highly personalised, intuitive, and seamless payment experience, whether they’re buying a coffee, shopping online, or applying for a loan. Visa Click to Pay aims to meet these expectations by removing the need to manually enter card details, thus enhancing both security and the consumer experience in online card payments. With the support of network tokens, Visa Click to Pay enabled a more secure and smoother transaction process, available in many countries around the world. According to European VisaNet data, Visa Click to Pay may allow a 4.5% uplift in merchant sales, meaning a possible annual increase of €51 bn in SMB eCommerce sales in the UK and EU,” said Michael Ioannides, Country Manager, Visa Cyprus.

The launch forms part of payabl.’s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe. 

Checkout expectations are rising across Europe 

Insights from payabl.’s State of European Checkouts report underline why frictionless checkout experiences are becoming a commercial priority. The research found that consumers cite speed (46%), convenience (44%), and security (41%) as the top reasons for choosing a payment method. More than half of consumers (53%) are open to switching to newer payment methods and nearly half (48%) are open to one-click checkouts, provided the solution is backed by a trusted brand such as Visa.

“Checkout is no longer just the final step of a transaction,” said Oliveira. “It is a critical part of the overall customer experience. Our research shows that 43% of European consumers will not return to a site after a poor checkout experience. For merchants across the UK and Europe, that translates directly into lost customers and lost revenue.”

The launch forms part of payabl.’s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe.

eCredo
Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter