Ensuring democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence should be a shared responsibility between experts and society, said the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou, stressing the importance of education on this topic.
Mr. Damianou was speaking at an international conference organized by the University of Cyprus, in collaboration with the University of Southern California, CYENS, KΟIOS and DiGiNN, under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, on Wednesday morning, in University of Cyprus.
The conference drew examples from the US experience, specifically from the "Elections Cybersecurity Initiative" (Elections Cybersecurity Initiative) of the University of Southern California and discussed whether Artificial Intelligence is a threat to democracy. Panels also discussed disinformation in the age of IT, as well as hybrid threats to critical infrastructure.
In a welcome address to the conference, which was read by Panos Panagiotou, Head of Information Security at the Deputy Ministry, Mr. Damianou said that the title of the conference, "Cybersecurity of democracy in the age of artificial intelligence" refers to the critical intersection of technology and governance that we must harness to shape the future.
He noted that in recent years the advent of Artificial Intelligence has transformed aspects of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we make decisions. “We all know that Artificial Intelligence has been around for 20 years. However, the rise of generative AI (Gen AI), enabling the creation and curation of content at scale, has opened a new era in which access to creative and analytical capabilities is not only reserved for IT or AI experts, but it's in the hands of literally anyone," he said.
Mr Damianou added that in this new, exciting and unpredictable era of Artificial Intelligence, cyber security concerns play a central role. “No one can deny the benefits that AI models can have in enhancing cybersecurity capability. It's a great time to tip the scales in favor of the defense. Furthermore, the intersection between AI and cybersecurity can significantly enhance the transparency, accountability and participation of the global democratic system,” he said.
At the same time, the Deputy Minister stated that with these developments, significant challenges arise, especially in terms of safeguarding democratic principles. Artificial Intelligence enhances cyber defense capabilities but also increases the effectiveness of cyberattacks and disinformation, he said, adding that the rise of AI has automated and enhanced the capabilities of traditional cyberattacks, making attacks more sophisticated, targeted and difficult to target. detection and treatment.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024 highlights the urgency of disinformation generated by Artificial Intelligence as the second most serious global risk expected to emerge in the next two years, Mr. Damianou emphasized. Citing the UN Secretary-General, he said that without proper controls, AI could destabilize democratic systems by spreading disinformation, fueling hate speech and distorting public opinion through deepfakes.
"In a year where more than 2 billion people in at least 64 countries go to the polls, the lines between reality, fake and falsified information are becoming increasingly blurred and the consequences for democracy increasingly serious," he noted.
One of the most important effects worth noting, according to the Deputy Minister, is the erosion of trust in institutions, authorities and the media, as well as skepticism about the benefits of the technology itself. He noted that success lies in responsibly and effectively navigating ethical considerations, establishing robust and innovative frameworks, strengthening cyber resilience, transparency and accountability in the field of artificial intelligence.
This is exactly what the EU is trying to achieve with the Artificial Intelligence Act, he said. By classifying risks at acceptable levels, the said legislation sets clear requirements and obligations regarding the development and use of AI to ensure respect for fundamental rights, security and ethical principles, it said.
“We must all recognize that the cyber security of democracy is not solely the responsibility of Governments or corporations. It is a shared obligation that requires collaboration between academia, industry and civil society,” he said.
He added that we have a responsibility to ensure that Artificial Intelligence serves as a tool for security and not as a tool for division. “As AI equips malicious actors with tools and techniques to influence public opinion, let us also remember the importance of education in the modern age. By equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge to navigate this complex digital landscape, we can foster a society that is not only informed, but actively engaged in safeguarding its democratic institutions,” he noted.
Mr. Damianou added that states must work together to empower their citizens and promote a safer environment. "As AI technologies evolve, so must our strategies and response," he said.
The Deputy Minister concluded by saying that Artificial Intelligence should not be condemned, but “it is something we should embrace and harness for the benefit of society. Together we can change the course towards a future where democracy thrives through artificial intelligence, where technology enhances our democratic processes and protects our fundamental rights,” he noted.
Tassos Anastasiou, President of the Board of Trustees of the University of Cyprus, said this is "a critical and timely debate" on cyber security, democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence, exploring the challenges and opportunities that Artificial Intelligence and security in cyberspace present in democratic systems.
“We live in an age where artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept. It has become a transformative force in our societies, shaping everything from business and healthcare to education and governance,” he said. But with this transformation comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to protecting the foundations of our democracies, Mr. Anastasiou added.
He said Artificial Intelligence can revolutionize the way Governments work with their citizens, can improve public services, boost voter turnout and even help make policy. However, the same technology can also be leveraged for disinformation campaigns, manipulation and even cyber-attacks that threaten the integrity of democratic processes, it said.
“We have seen firsthand how disinformation spread through artificial intelligence can deceive citizens, deepen divisions and erode trust in democratic institutions. One of the most pressing concerns we face is the security of our election systems. "Cyberattacks on voting infrastructure, political campaigns and even the spread of false information are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated and harder to detect," he said.
He added that these attacks are no longer hypothetical, they are happening now. "This is not just a technical problem, but a direct threat to democracy itself. Without strong safeguards, citizens' trust in institutions can easily be undermined," he said.
Mr. Anastasiou underlined the urgent need for academics, researchers, policymakers and citizens in general to work together to develop frameworks that will ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence in democratic processes. "We need strong cyber security measures to defend against internal and external threats, and we must be proactive in our efforts to protect our planet's institutions before vulnerabilities are exploited," he said, adding that he is optimistic. "I believe that the same technological developments that create risks also have the potential to secure our democracies if harnessed responsibly," he pointed out.
"We live in a brave new world, with many, many surprises," said Professor Chrysostomos (Max) Nikias, of the University of Southern California, underscoring the importance of "our collective responsibility: to ensure that our democratic institutions remain strong and secure . And together we can pave the way for innovative solutions that will protect these foundations of our democracy against evolving cyber threats," he said.
He referred to the election cybersecurity initiative created by the University of Southern California, noting that its purpose is to defend democracy. “To my knowledge, it is the first organized academic initiative dedicated to this cause in the United States,” he said, noting that over the past four years, this initiative has organized and presented workshops in all 50 states of the United States, attended by more by 5.000 election officials, campaign workers, civic leaders and academics. “Threats to democracy today are very real, through cyber threats. We are beginning to develop tools to counter these threats," he said.
George Chrysanthou, Director General of the CYENS Center of Excellence, said that in a world where Artificial Intelligence continues to shape our society, safeguarding democratic processes is of utmost importance. "We are witnessing major developments in Artificial Intelligence technologies, which offer incredible opportunities, but also raise critical concerns about privacy, security and the resilience of our democratic institutions," he said.
Christos Panagiotou, Senior Director of the KOIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence, said that in this rapidly evolving digital landscape, citizens increasingly rely on digital infrastructure. "We live a second life in the digital space. This life is vulnerable to various cyber threats that we, as humans, are not equipped to deal with. We have to rely on machines and experts to protect us," he noted.
At the same time, technologies like Artificial Intelligence are reshaping the way we perceive the world and can affect democracy and institutions, he said, adding that to defend against these invisible enemies, we need to gain a very good understanding of the threats involved. .
“Artificial Intelligence can bring positive results, but at the same time it can present significant risks. In response to these challenges, the EU issued the Artificial Intelligence Act, the first legal regulation of artificial intelligence," he noted.
