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Cyprus Extends Measures To Mitigate Rising Living Costs

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 20, 2024

The Cypriot government has approved an extension of financial measures aimed at alleviating the high living costs faced by households and businesses. This decision, spearheaded by Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, underscores the government’s commitment to addressing economic challenges exacerbated by the summer climate.

Key Measures and Financial Implications

The primary measure is the continuation of a staggered subsidy on electricity consumption from July to October 2024. This subsidy, targeting domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers, fully covers the increase in electricity prices for vulnerable groups. The cost of this extension is estimated at €12 million, benefitting 400,000 households and 100,000 businesses.

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Additionally, the government has prolonged the application of a zero VAT rate on essential items until the end of September, costing approximately €11 million. These measures are part of a broader strategy to support citizens amidst escalating costs.

Government’s Fiscal Prudence

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis highlighted the administration’s responsible fiscal policies, which have positioned Cyprus as an attractive investment destination. The prudent management of finances has enabled the implementation of targeted measures to significantly enhance the quality of life for its citizens.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, the government aims to address long-term energy challenges, focusing on sustainable solutions like the green transition. This forward-looking approach not only aims to stabilise current economic conditions but also to ensure a resilient and sustainable future.

AI Startup InsureVision Secures $2.7M To Predict Car Crashes Before They Happen

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2025

Imagine a world where your car doesn’t just react to accidents—it predicts them before they unfold. That’s the bold vision behind InsureVision, a London-based AI startup that just closed a $2.7 million seed round to turn predictive crash prevention into reality.

Why This Matters

Backing from State Farm Ventures, Rethink Ventures, and Twin Path Ventures signals serious industry confidence. State Farm, one of the world’s largest insurers, rarely bets on early-stage startups, making its participation a major endorsement of InsureVision’s tech.

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The Tech: AI That “Sees” Like A Human

Founded in 2023, InsureVision has built an AI system designed to process real-time video from standard car cameras—an approach they call “enviromatics.” Unlike conventional GPS-based trackers that assess risk through raw data points like speed and braking, InsureVision’s AI interprets the full driving environment.

Here’s the difference:

Traditional systems might flag sudden braking as reckless.
InsureVision’s AI understands that a pile-up ahead is the real risk and recognises defensive driving rather than penalising it.

Who’s Buying In?

The advanced car safety tech market is projected to grow from $21 billion today to $40 billion by 2030, and InsureVision wants a sizable cut. Its AI could reshape risk assessment for:

Insurance companies offering personalised pricing based on actual driving behaviour.
Fleet operators (think Uber, logistics firms) seeking real-time risk monitoring.
Automakers integrating AI-driven safety features to comply with evolving regulations.

Next Steps

Trials with major U.S. insurers are underway, with Japan next in line for expansion. Results from these pilots are expected by mid-2025.

“We’ve built a vision transformer—an AI that learns from what it sees, not just mechanical data like speed or acceleration,” says CEO Mark Miller. “This brings real-world context into risk assessment, making it a fundamentally more human approach.”

For investors and industry insiders, the bet is clear: If InsureVision delivers, it won’t just improve road safety—it could redefine the economics of auto insurance.