Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou emphasized the need for Europe to move beyond regulation and become a builder, deployer, and scaler of critical technologies during the ‘Shaping the Next Digital Frontier’ conference in Nicosia. He highlighted that Europe must compete on innovation, investment, speed, and scale, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, cloud computing, and space.

Damianou pointed out that despite Europe's strong scientific excellence, evidenced by a higher per capita concentration of AI researchers than the United States, the continent accounts for only 8% of global scale-ups. He stressed the necessity of coordinated action to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and digital deployment, providing startups with access to capital, data, computing resources, and supportive regulation.

Using Cyprus as an example, Damianou showcased how the country's rapidly growing startup ecosystem and technology sector contribute significantly to its economy, with Cyprus serving as a strategic bridge between Europe and neighboring regions. He underscored the importance of practical applications of AI, cybersecurity, Earth observation, and satellite connectivity to support growth, resilience, and digital transformation across the EU.