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University of Cyprus establishes first chair in AI

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 26, 2024

The University of Cyprus (UCY) and XM Group signed an agreement on Wednesday to establish the first chair in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University’s Department of Computer Science. The agreement was signed at the UCY campus, in Nicosia.

The University notes in a press release that XM Group undertakes the funding of the Chair for 10 consecutive years, to promote research and education and the exploitation of research results in the field of AI. ‘The funding of more than one million euros entails the creation of the Chair and its establishment through the appointment of a Professor,’ the press release adds.

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In his address, Rector, Professor Tasos Christofides, stated that through the XM Chair, the University seeks to leverage the potential of AI, providing the next generation with the necessary skills and knowledge, shaping the new educational and research process both in and beyond the university.

Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, Professor Eleni-Tatiana Synodinou, presented the objectives, the actions and the prospects through the establishment of the XM Chair. She also pointed out that the Chair’s activities are expected to add significant value to both partners and generate joint investments for the future of the country and the new generation.

On his part, Chairman of the Council of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Anastasiou in his address indicated that the fact that XM chose the University of Cyprus to establish a Chair in the field of Artificial Intelligence ‘’is a significant vote of confidence’’, adding that ‘’it fills us with pride and creates the right conditions to showcase our potential in cutting-edge technologies.’’

Vice-President and Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science of the University of Cyprus, Vasos Vasiliou, pointed out that the chair of Artificial Intelligence is the first chair of its kind in the Department, adding that this “is a milestone which marks the further development in our own course.”

Professor of the University’s Department of Computer Science, Elpida Keravnou-Papailiou, pointed out that the signing of the agreement is an excellent development. She went on to say that the Department is looking forward to expanding its cooperation with XM Group, noting that “there are many issues on which we can cooperate.”

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Gotsis, expressed the wish of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be in contact with the newly established chair of AI so that the Ministry can respond to its tasks with more expertise.

Dr Stavri Morti, co-CEO of the XM Group, noted that “the establishment of the XM Chair in Artificial Intelligence aligns perfectly with our vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive progress and create value.’’ She also expressed her belief that ‘’the research and educational activities stemming from this Chair will not only enrich the academic community but also have a far-reaching impact on society and the economy.’’

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.