Discussion at Cyprus Forum highlights risks of bias in artificial intelligence

At the Cyprus Forum on September 29, 2026, experts held a session titled "AI and Equal Participation: Who Shapes the Digital State?" to address the integration of artificial intelligence into public services. Participants included Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou, Hope For Children scientific coordinator Rodoula Papalamprianou, and Andreas Demetriou of the AI Integrity Institute.

The discussion centered on the premise that AI is not neutral and does not function in a social vacuum. Experts argued that because these systems are trained on historical data and shaped by human designers, they frequently mirror existing societal prejudices and inequalities. Commissioner Christodoulou emphasized that the historical underrepresentation of women in technology sectors contributes significantly to the reproduction of gender bias within automated systems. She noted that these human-driven prejudices are baked into the development process, necessitating interventions that begin as early as the educational system to encourage diverse participation in technical fields.

The consensus among participants was that the question is no longer whether AI models possess bias, but rather how to mitigate their impact as they increasingly make decisions affecting citizens. The speakers highlighted that addressing these challenges requires systemic changes starting from the earliest stages of academic and professional development for young women.