As Cyprus advances its national AI strategy, the government has assembled a diverse National AI Taskforce to guide its development. Among its members is Dr. Constantine Dovrolis, Director of the Computational Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC) at the Cyprus Institute and faculty member at Georgia Tech. With expertise in deep learning, complex systems, and high-performance computing, Dovrolis views AI as both a technological opportunity and a strategic priority.
In this exclusive interview for The Future Media, he explains why national infrastructure, scientific research, and building self-sufficiency in critical technologies must all play a central role in building Cyprus’s AI future.
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What perspectives or expertise do you bring to the Taskforce that you believe will shape Cyprus’s AI future?
My primary expertise lies in deep learning, particularly as it intersects with neuroscience and complex network analysis. After spending over 20 years on the faculty of Georgia Tech in the U.S., and now leading the Computational Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC) at the Cyprus Institute, I bring an international perspective along with practical experience in how AI can quickly transition from academia to real-world applications.
My experience includes collaboration across various sectors, from healthcare to environmental sciences, focusing on robust AI systems that continually adapt to new conditions.
I aim to contribute not just technical insights but also a practical understanding of how Cyprus can build a strong computational infrastructure and support ecosystem to leverage AI’s full potential, both effectively and responsibly.
In your view, what qualities or achievements made you a strong candidate for this national role at such a transformational moment in AI development?
I believe my candidacy reflects a combination of extensive research experience, a strong track record of successful interdisciplinary collaborations, and a clear vision for how AI can positively impact society. My prior academic work in the U.S. and ongoing projects at the Cyprus Institute have consistently demonstrated that I can bridge theoretical research and practical application.
Additionally, my involvement in various projects funded by both U.S. and EU research agencies has given me a solid understanding of the international AI research landscape and funding ecosystem. At this transformative moment for Cyprus, these qualities position me to effectively integrate AI into national priorities and build competitive advantages internationally.
What AI-driven opportunities do you see as most transformative for Cyprus’s key sectors, such as tourism, energy, or healthcare, and for society as a whole?
Cyprus has great potential to benefit from AI-driven transformation across multiple sectors. In tourism, AI can enhance personalized experiences and improve operational efficiencies through predictive analytics and smart resource allocation. In energy, hybrid AI-driven modeling approaches can optimize renewable energy integration, enhancing sustainability.
Healthcare stands to gain significantly from AI-enhanced diagnostic tools and personalized medicine, which can improve patient outcomes. Beyond these, there are promising AI applications in education, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and national defense with a wide range of benefits for society at large. Given Cyprus’s size and strong academic community, it is uniquely positioned to rapidly implement these solutions and become a compelling global demonstration case for responsible, high-impact AI adoption.
How can Cyprus align its AI development with global trends while overcoming challenges like a small market size to attract global investment and attention?
Cyprus should focus on specialized, high-value niches within the global AI landscape. Its geographic position and strong ties to Europe and the Middle East make it an ideal regional hub for AI innovation.
A key step is establishing a national-level computational infrastructure open to academia, industry, and innovative startups. By fostering an accessible ecosystem through public-private partnerships, investment incentives, and targeted funding opportunities, Cyprus can attract both global investments and international talent.
How can Cyprus attract and retain top AI talent to drive its innovation agenda?
Attracting and retaining top AI talent requires a multifaceted approach. Cyprus needs to create an appealing environment for researchers and industry professionals by investing in state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and fostering vibrant academic-industry collaborations. Competitive employment conditions and access to research opportunities are critical.
It is also important to promote a culture of innovation and provide targeted support for entrepreneurial ventures that encourage local and international talent to engage in pioneering projects. A clear strategic vision combined with tangible support from government agencies, the private industry, and venture capital firms will position Cyprus as an attractive destination for talented professionals in AI.
What are the biggest risks associated with AI integration in Cyprus, and how can the Taskforce proactively address them?
One significant risk is overdependence on external providers for critical computational resources and AI expertise. Given Cyprus’s island geography and potential vulnerabilities, relying heavily on foreign infrastructure or cloud providers poses risks to national security and resilience.
The Taskforce can proactively address this by advocating for the development of robust, nationally controlled high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Another critical risk is inadequate preparation of the workforce for AI-driven economic shifts. Addressing this through comprehensive education, retraining programs, and clear ethical guidelines will ensure societal readiness.
What is the one thing you hope to achieve during your term on the Taskforce?
During my tenure, my primary objective is to establish a national computational infrastructure that enables advanced AI research and applications across academic, industry, and government sectors. This infrastructure should provide the necessary resources for training and deploying AI models locally, ensuring Cyprus is self-sufficient in critical computational capabilities.
Achieving this goal will not only boost local innovation capacity but also safeguard national interests by reducing dependency on external infrastructure providers, thus positioning Cyprus competitively on the global AI stage.
If you could implement one groundbreaking AI initiative in Cyprus today, what would it be and why?
If I could implement one initiative immediately, it would be creating a state-of-the-art national AI-focused high-performance computing center, accessible to researchers, startups, SMEs, and government agencies. This infrastructure should facilitate critical research, enable innovative product development, and significantly boost Cyprus’s competitiveness internationally. A dedicated facility would also act as an anchor to attract global talent and investment, enhancing Cyprus’s position as a dynamic hub for technological innovation.
What advancements in AI do you think will most impact global industries in the next five years?
Generative AI, particularly multimodal foundation models capable of handling diverse data types, will dramatically transform industries globally. Such models will revolutionize content generation, diagnostics in healthcare, predictive maintenance in manufacturing, and personalized services across many sectors.
AI’s increasing capacity for continual learning and adaptation will lead to more robust, context-aware applications, significantly enhancing their practical usability and economic impact.
What does success look like for Cyprus in AI by 2030?
Success for Cyprus by 2030 would mean having a vibrant AI ecosystem recognized internationally for its innovation capacity, computational infrastructure, and talent.
It would involve the active participation of Cypriot companies and researchers in major international collaborations and a growing startup environment contributing meaningful solutions across key sectors.
Additionally, Cyprus would also be seen as an exemplary model for responsible and ethical AI practices, fully integrated with global AI governance standards, securing a competitive place in the international AI landscape.
