Date

30 June 2026

Location

The Landmark Hotel, Nicosia

Language

English & Greek

Date

30 June 2026

Location

The Landmark Hotel, Nicosia

Language

English & Greek

THE AI REVOLUTION: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

A New Era for Cyprus. A New Vision for Digital Leadership

The year 2026 marks a decisive turning point for businesses and economies around the world. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept discussed only in research labs or technology conferences. It is rapidly becoming the defining force shaping how companies operate, compete and innovate.

The acceleration of artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, advanced analytics, cloud computing, cyber technologies and data-driven decision-making is fundamentally rewriting the rules of the global economy. AI is emerging not merely as a technology trend but as the engine of a new economic paradigm, transforming industries, redefining productivity and reshaping competitive advantage.

Across sectors, organisations are transitioning from experimentation with AI tools to a deeper transformation of their business models and operational structures. Intelligent systems are increasingly embedded within enterprise processes—augmenting human decision-making, automating complex workflows, and unlocking new forms of value creation.

Research by leading organisations such as McKinsey, Gartner, Forrester and global technology companies highlights several defining developments:

  • Most organisations remain in early stages of AI adoption, experimenting with isolated applications rather than large-scale transformation.
  • AI copilots and intelligent agents are emerging as the next generation of digital workforce.
  • Competitive advantage will increasingly be determined by how effectively companies redesign workflows and integrate AI into their core operations.
  • AI-driven innovation is becoming a key driver of new revenue streams and business models.
  • Cyber resilience and digital trust are becoming board-level priorities as AI simultaneously strengthens both attack capabilities and defence mechanisms.
  • Leaders remain divided about AI’s long-term implications for employment, economic growth and societal change.

FACTS AND FIGURES

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Sponsors & Exhibitors
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Leading Speakers
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THE CONFERENCE

The 5th Digital Cyprus Conference 2026 will take place in Nicosia, Cyprus, bringing together a distinguished group of technology leaders, business executives, policymakers and innovators from across Cyprus, Europe, Israel and the wider region. Organised by the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA) and IMH, the Conference continues to serve as the leading annual platform for dialogue on digital transformation, innovation and emerging technologies, providing strategic insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, industry and the broader economy.

As artificial intelligence rapidly moves from experimentation to large-scale deployment, organisations worldwide are entering a new phase of technological transformation. AI is no longer viewed simply as a productivity tool, but as a strategic capability capable of redefining business models, unlocking new revenue streams and reshaping the competitive landscape. From intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making to AI-powered platforms and advanced analytics, companies across industries are redesigning their operations to harness the full potential of intelligent technologies.

Against this backdrop, the Conference will provide a forward-looking platform for exploring how artificial intelligence will transform organisations and economies in the years ahead. Discussions will examine the global AI landscape, the evolving role of AI in the future of work, strategies for successfully implementing AI within enterprises, and the growing importance of cybersecurity and digital trust in an increasingly automated world.

The Conference will consist of four complementary components:

  • Main Conference
  • AI & ICT Expo
  • Networking Cocktail
  • The AI Leadership Circle (VIP Closed Event)

WHO WILL ATTEND

The Conference is designed primarily for senior decision-makers responsible for shaping the future of organisations operating in Cyprus.

Business Leaders

  • CEOs and Managing Directors
  • Board Members
  • Chief Information Officers
  • Chief Technology Officers
  • Chief Digital Officers
  • Chief Operating Officers
  • Chief Financial Officers
  • Directors of Digital Transformation

 

Sector Representation
Participants are expected from across major sectors including:

  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Shipping & Maritime
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Retail & FMCG
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Telecommunications
  • Logistics & Supply Chain
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Healthcare
  • Professional Services

 

Public Sector & Institutions

  • Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy
  • Research & Innovation Foundation
  • Policy makers and regulators

Speakers

Matina Zisiadou

Manager, CITEA

George Malekkos

President, Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA)

Dr Nicodemos Damianou

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Republic of Cyprus

Stiv Sterjo

Chief AI & Digital Transformation Advisor, ex-Google, Nerisia

Sajal Sehgal

Program Manager – Strategic Initiatives and AI Transformation, Global Logistics Amazon

Ihab El Ghazzawi

EMEA AI & Emerging Technologies Partner Officer, Dell Technologies

Marios Anastasiou

Senior Account Manager, Google

Caelum Rosenkranz

Startup Lead, Google Cloud

Bhupendra Patel

Director, Solution Engineering - Data & AI, Salesforce

Christina Dafni

Director - Consulting & Software Department, Cosmos Business Systems SA

Giannis Torakis

Technical Manager - Software Department, Cosmos Business Systems SA

Christina Kokkalou

Managing Director, IMR/University of Nicosia™

Kosmas Adam

Chief Technology Officer, Primetel

Nikolas Kolokasides

Country Manager CY, CBS IT Systems Cyprus LTD

Agenda

08:30-09:15
Registrations
09:15 – 09:20
Introduction by the chairperson
09:20 – 09:35
Η Τεχνολογία Είναι η Νέα Διπλωματία

Πώς το AI, η Καινοτομία και η Science Diplomacy μπορούν να μετατρέψουν την Κύπρο σε περιφερειακό κόμβο επιρροής και ανάπτυξης.

09:45-10:00
CITEA’s Honouring Ceremony
10:00 – 10:20
The Global AI Shockwave: Understanding the scale and speed of the AI revolution

Artificial Intelligence is driving a global shockwave, rapidly transforming economies, industries and national competitiveness. This keynote explores global AI adoption trends, the economic and competitive implications of accelerated AI deployment, and the emerging role of AI agents and intelligent assistants. Delegates will gain a strategic view of where AI is heading, the risks and opportunities it creates, and how to position their organizations to lead.

10:20 – 10:40
The Global AI Shockwave: Lessons from the Frontline

Worldwide, AI spending will surpass $2.5 trillion in 2026, yet most organisations remain stuck in experimentation – unable to convert pilots into real transformation. The economic stakes could not be higher: AI is projected to add up to $15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030, redrawing competitive advantage across every sector. Drawing on hands-on experience leading AI transformation across global operations – deploying intelligent agents, redesigning workflows, and cutting lead times by 60%+ – this keynote decodes what the AI shockwave means for your organisation, and the decisions that can’t wait.

11:00 – 11:20
Architecting Tomorrow: Leading the Human-AI Collaboration

The landscape of business is no longer merely changing – it is being completely rewritten. This session explores the tectonic shifts across the global artificial intelligence landscape, tracing how raw technological capabilities are transforming into a fundamental economic foundation. By looking past the initial wave of automation, we unpack how visionary organizations can seamlessly unite human intuition with scalable AI systems. Designed for leaders ready to move from passive exploration to strategic acceleration, this overview reveals how to navigate real-world bottlenecks, cultivate trust, and actively shape the future of productivity and competitive advantage.

11:20-11:50
Networking Brunch At The Expo Area
11:50 – 12:10
Keynote Presentation
12:50 – 13:05
IMR RESEARCH: AI Penetration in Cyprus Businesses
13:05-13:30
Panel Discussion- From AI Pilots to AI Scale: Is Cyprus Ready?

Many organisations have started experimenting with AI, but few have successfully scaled it across their operations. This discussion will explore whether Cyprus is ready to move from AI pilots to real business transformation and what it will take to accelerate adoption at scale.

• What are the biggest barriers preventing organisations from moving from experimentation to implementation?

• Do businesses have the talent, data and infrastructure needed to scale AI successfully?

• How can organisations use AI to improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness?

13:30-15:00
End of Conference – Networking

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