The effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on democracy have emerged as a pressing concern for lawmakers, particularly in the context of its potential influence on future elections. This topic dominated discussions at the House institutions committee on Wednesday, where members expressed their unease regarding Cyprus’ readiness to handle potential AI-driven interferences.
Ai: Concerns Over External Influences
During the committee meeting, attending MPs voiced fears about the prospect of external influences manipulating information distributed through AI applications during election periods. The chairman of the committee, Demetris Demetriou, a member of the Disy party, urged the government to put in place effective protection mechanisms for users. He called for the establishment of control measures to oversee the application of technology in political contexts.
Amending Legislation for New Challenges
Vasiliki Triga, a professor of political communication, highlighted the urgent need to amend current legislation to address the challenges posed by the increasing use of AI. Triga warned that applications like ChatGPT should not be regarded as “safe” for information gathering, as they often contain biases that could skew public perception.
Regulatory Efforts Underway
According to a representative from the digital policy directorate of the deputy ministry of innovation, efforts are already underway to regulate AI in Cyprus. The relevant EU regulation is currently under discussion at both national and European levels, especially with Cyprus set to assume the EU Council Presidency soon. The ministry official mentioned that a study had been initiated to evaluate the current state of AI implementation on the island, identify stakeholders, and support the development of a national legal framework. A preliminary version of this framework is already in place.
Timeline for Legislative Changes
The official presentation of the proposed bill is scheduled for March 2026, which aims to address the concerns raised during the committee discussions. In the meantime, Maria Stylianou-Lottides, the commissioner for administration and human rights, along with Maria Christofidou, the information and personal data protection commissioner, have been appointed as the supervisory authorities overseeing the regulation of AI usage.
Progress in Regulatory Measures
Officials from the Radio-Television Authority, tasked with supervising the implementation of the EU’s digital services act, reported that measures to facilitate regulation are advancing. They indicated that the regulation is currently under study, and procedures addressing the issues raised by the regulation are being drafted. Additionally, plans are in motion to create a register of entities that will be supervised under this new regulatory framework.
Promoting News Literacy and Digital Awareness
Nikolas Karydis, a representative from the Institute of Mass Media (IMME), emphasised the importance of fostering news literacy among the public. He underlined the necessity for both young people and the elderly to develop skills that will enable them to identify misinformation, particularly in an era where social media plays a significant role in information dissemination.
Educational Initiatives in Digital Literacy
Thanasis Tsokos, the director general of CyBC, highlighted the broadcaster’s commitment to promoting digital literacy from a young age. He advocated for the development of educational courses that would teach children about the possibilities and risks associated with digital technology, thus preparing them to navigate the challenges posed by AI and misinformation.
Public Concerns About Misinformation
A recent survey conducted by the Union of Cyprus Journalists revealed that television and social media remain the primary sources of information for 72 per cent of the public. Alarmingly, 44 per cent of respondents indicated that misinformation and fake news are significant concerns. The survey also found that online portals and radio are the next most common sources of information, followed by the printed press, which has a notably lower engagement at 15 per cent. Only 10 per cent of the public rely on Greek press sources, while foreign press accounts for just 9 per cent.