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Theodoros Loukaidis Reappointed as RIF Director General: A New Term of Innovation

The dynamic world of research and innovation in Cyprus continues to evolve as Theodoros Loukaidis is reappointed for a second five-year term as the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF). This decision, announced by the board of directors following an open selection process, sets the stage for further advancements in Cyprus’ R&I landscape.

Commitment to Excellence

Mr. Loukaidis, armed with an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School and a formidable background in engineering and business administration, has been pivotal over the past five years in elevating Cyprus’ international standing in innovation.

His leadership is expected to further bolster the country’s growth as an emerging R&I hub, with continued focus on projects and research partnerships that contribute to a competitive, unified ecosystem.

Looking to the Future

Support from the board is strong, reinforcing a belief in Loukaidis’ vision to steer Cyprus towards a vibrant and interconnected future.

As Cyprus continues to enhance its R&I capabilities, the ripple effects may be seen far beyond its shores, fostering collaborations and insights with global influencers in the field.

A New Twitter-Inspired Social Network Is Taking Shape

A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.

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