See you next year
October 16th, 2024
October 16th, 2024
The 6th Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2023 with the thematic umbrella "The new normal" will approach the contemporary issues of humanity at the local and regional level. Artificial intelligence, the new work environment, communication strategies in the era of social media toxicity, climate change in our everyday life, the electrification of cars in Cyprus, the lost train of our energy self-sufficiency, mental health as an extension of physical health. Diversity and sustainability as the new normal. This is the agenda of the main stage at the biggest conference of the new era taking place in Nicosia. The Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit will be held on October 17, 2023 and is being made possible thanks to the support of Cyta and the Bank of Cyprus. Το 6ο Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2023, με τη θεματική ομπρέλα «The New Normal», θα προσεγγίσει τα σύγχρονα ζητήματα της ανθρωπότητας σε τοπικό και περιφερειακό επίπεδο. Η ατζέντα του main stage, στο μεγαλύτερο συνέδριο νέας εποχής που διεξάγεται στη Λευκωσία, περιλαμβάνει την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη, το νέο περιβάλλον εργασίας, την επικοινωνία μέσα από την τοξικότητα, την κλιματική αλλαγή στην καθημερινότητά μας, τηνκάλλιο αργά παρά ποτέ ηλεκτροποίηση της αυτοκίνησης στην Κύπρο, το χαμένο τρένο της ενεργειακής μας αυτάρκειας, την ψυχική υγεία ως προέκταση της σωματικής, αλλά και τηδιαφορετικότητα και τη βιωσιμότητα ως τη νέα κανονικότητα. Το Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit θα διεξαχθεί στις 17 Οκτωβρίου 2023 και γίνεται πραγματικότητα χάρη στην υποστήριξη της Cyta και της Τράπεζας Κύπρου. |
Digital Agenda introduces the Alpha Stage Start-ups Innovation Platform where start uppers and Innovation Teams can participate in Digital Agenda Alpha Stage Artificial Intelligence Competition DAAS-AI. DAAS-AI aims to encourage teams from Cyprus and the region to present their innovative research work with commercialisation orientation through the startups journey and technology readiness level TRL between 3-5. DAAS-AI is targeting Start-ups and research teams who can demonstrate and or are working in the domain AI for start-up innovative ideas that target the Tourism or Media or Learning/Education sectors and want to take their work from lab to the marketplace and have reached a stage where they can attract private and VC, aiming to reach closer to the commercialisation. 4 proposals will be pre-selected by the jury and from these the winner through presentations within the Alpha Stage will win a prize of 10,000 euros on behalf of the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit. Το Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit εισάγει την Πλατφόρμα Καινοτομίας για νεοσύστατες επιχειρήσεις «Alpha Stage», όπου οι startuppers και οι ομάδες καινοτομίας μπορούν νασυμμετάσχουν στον διαγωνισμό τεχνητής νοημοσύνης Digital Agenda Alpha Stage (DAAS-AI). Το DAAS-AI στοχεύει να ενθαρρύνει ομάδες από την Κύπρο και τη γύρω περιοχή να παρουσιάσουν το καινοτόμο ερευνητικό τους έργο, με προσανατολισμό την εισαγωγή τους σε πραγματικό εφαρμοσμένο περιβάλλον. Το DAAS-AI καλεί νεοφυείς επιχειρήσεις και ερευνητικές ομάδες που μπορούν να επιδείξουν, ή που εργάζονται ήδη στον τομέα AI για νεοφυείς καινοτόμες, ιδέες που στοχεύουν στους τομείς του Τουρισμού ή των Μέσων Ενημέρωσης ή της Μάθησης/Εκπαίδευσης. Αυτές θα πρέπει να επιζητούν να μεταφέρουν την εργασία τους από το εργαστήριο στην αγορά, έχοντας φτάσει σε ένα στάδιο όπου μπορούν να προσελκύσουν ιδιώτες και VC, με στόχο να φτάσουν πιο κοντά στην εμπορική εκμετάλλευση. Τέσσερις (4) προτάσεις θα τύχουν προεπιλογής από την κριτική επιτροπή και από αυτές η νικήτρια μέσα από παρουσιάσεις στο πλαίσιο του Alpha Stage θα κερδίσει βραβείο 10.000 ευρώ εκ μέρους του Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit. |
Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit and Diffords guide Greece, together with Deejay Radio, join their positive energy every year and organize one of the top ranked Cocktail Festivals in the world! More than ten award-winning bars from Europe meet a similar number of bars from Cyprus and, side by side, they make new handcrafted cocktail recipes that you have never tried before! Together with the island's top D.J, Deejay Radio 93.5 and its team, they create the soundtrack under which the attendees from the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit unite with the city of Nicosia and its residents creating an unforgettable experience for 5000+ attendees. Το Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit και το Difford’s Guide Greece μαζί με τον Deejay Radio, ενώνουν κάθε χρόνο τη θετική τους ενέργεια και διοργανώνουν ένα από τα κορυφαία Cocktail Festival στον κόσμο! Περισσότερα από δέκα βραβευμένα μπαρ από την Ευρώπη συναντούν αντίστοιχο αριθμό μπαρ της Κύπρου και μαζί φτιάχνουν νέες χειροποίητες συνταγές κοκτέιλ, που δεν έχετε δοκιμάσει πουθενά ξανά! Μαζί ο κορυφαίος DJ του νησιού, ο Deejay Radio 93.5, που μαζί με την ομάδα του δημιουργούν το soundtrack κάτω από το οποίο οι σύνεδροι του Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit ενώνονται με την πόλη της Λευκωσίας και τους κατοίκους της, δημιουργώντας μια αξέχαστη εμπειρία για 5000+ παρευρισκόμενους. |
Meet our 2023 Speakers & Collaborators
DEX HUNTER-TORRICKE
DeepMind Google/ SpaceX Head of Global Communications & Marketing Dex Hunter-Torricke is Head of Global Communications & Marketing for Google DeepMind, one of the world's leading AI labs. Among other roles, Dex has formerly served as head of communications for SpaceX, head of executive communications for Facebook, and as executive speechwriter for Google. Dex began his career as speechwriter and spokesperson for the office of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. A New York Times-bestselling ghostwriter, Dex regularly speaks about the social, economic and organizational impacts of new technologies. |
DHIRAJ MUKHERJEE
Shazam Entertainment Co-founder Dhiraj Mukherjee is the Co-founder of Shazam Entertainment, the world’s first mobile phone-based music recognition service. Shazam was acquired by Apple in 2017 for a reported $400 million. Recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s Top 50 technology entrepreneurs in 2015, and elected a member of The Digital Banking Club’s “Power 50” in 2016, Dhiraj was previously Head of Banking Innovation at Virgin Money, where he was responsible for developing new digital banking services, including one aimed at serving 2.2 million students in the UK. He is now an active angel investor focused on emerging technologies and “Tech for Good,” and was selected for Smith & Williamson’s “Power 100” in 2017 for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.K. Dhiraj has a degree in Mathematical Economics from Dartmouth College, USA and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He speaks regularly at conferences on innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technology. |
CALUM CHACE
Best-selling writer and sought-after speaker on artificial intelligence Calum Chace is a best-selling writer and sought-after speaker on artificial intelligence. He focuses on the medium- and long-term impact of AI on all of us as individuals, societies and economies. His non-fiction books on AI are The Economic Singularity, about the prospect of widespread technological unemployment, and Surviving AI, about the likelihood of strong AI and superintelligence. Calum is also the author of Pandora's Brain, a techno-thriller about the first superintelligence. He runs a blog on the subject at pandoras-brain.com. Before becoming a full-time writer and speaker, Calum had a 30-year career in journalism and business, in which he was a marketer, a strategy consultant and a CEO. He maintains his interest in business by serving as chairman and coach for a selection of growing companies. In 2000 he co-wrote The Internet Startup Bible, a business best-seller published by Random House. A long time ago, Calum studied philosophy at Oxford University, where he discovered that the science fiction he had been reading since boyhood was actually philosophy in fancy dress. |
Prof. JOHN OLIVER
Leading academic in the field of media management and a former President of the European Media Management Association Prof. John Oliver is a leading academic in the field of media management and a former President of the European Media Management Association. He has a successful track record in delivering world class impact from his research which has informed the UK Government’s Innovation Strategy, UK communications policy and regulation, and influenced the public policy debate on internet regulation. His research into ‘strategic organisational transformation’ resulted in multi-million pound investments made by FTSE 100 firms. Prof. Oliver currently serves as an advisor to the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology’s Horizon Scanning & Foresight Committee. |
ALINA SAUER
BMW Group Global lead of the UI/UX design communication Alina Sauer is the global lead of the BMW Group UI/UX design communication. For years, the UI/UX design of BMW Group vehicles has borne the signature of Alina Sauer. Until the beginning of 2023, she was the global design project leader for UI/UX series development, helping to develop five BMW Group operating system generations, starting with classic controller operation and touch-first interaction and ending with a holistic user experience for the customer. Alina Sauer studied interaction design and design strategy at the University of Augsburg. Her current focus at BMW Group is on the perfect interplay of interaction principles, design and technology. Telling and showing the resulting holistic experience for the customer and the design story behind it is Alina Sauer's daily mission. |
RIAZ SHAH
Professor of Practise – Leadership & Innovation, Hult International Business School Until recently Riaz was a partner for 27 years at EY, the global professional services firm. His experience included serving clients in Assurance and Technology Consulting and having various management roles including Assurance MP in London and COO of Markets. His last role was Global Learning Leader, preparing EY’s 400,000 people for the future of work, which included delivering more than 20 million hours of learning annually, and creating several world-first innovations. He is currently working on a portfolio of projects, including working with the several governments on education initiatives and developing their entrepreneurship ecosystem, hosting tech programs for senior executives in Silicon Valley, and leading the rollout of XPrize.org in Europe. Riaz is also a Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership at Hult International Business School, where he leads sessions with senior executives and Exec MBA students, focusing on global megatrends, digital disruption and innovation. His interests are in technology, education and enterprise. Riaz is a Founder and Chair of The One Degree Academy, a free school in a disadvantaged area of London — www. onedegreeacademy.org – and advises several social enterprises and coaches start-up CEOs. His education is from Bradford University UK (Undergrad), Harvard Business School (AMP180), Singularity University (EP17), and he is a Chartered Accountant. Riaz was awarded an OBE for Services to Education by HM The King in the 2023 New Year’s Honours List. |
Dr. GEORGE PECHLIVANOGLOU
Director General of Eunice Energy Group George Pechlivanoglou studied mechanical engineering (BSc) and completed the MSc in renewable energy technology at the University of Oldenburg, Germany. He completed his doctoral dissertation (Ph.D.) in the field of wind turbine aeroservoelasticity at TU Berlin, Germany, and did post-doctoral work at the same institute. Has published more than 90 scientific papers and holds more than 13 national and international patents. George Pechlivanoglou has 18 years of industrial experience in the wind energy market and 10 years of experience as a wind energy expert designer and wind turbine technical inspector with international collaborations and a global project portfolio. He held the position of the technical director of SMART BLADE GmbH for 8 years and has established several global collaborations with corporations like 3M, Vestas, Nordex, etc. He is the former Wind Energy Committee Chair at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a member of the German Chamber of Engineers (VDI) as well as the former representative of the Technical University of Berlin at the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE). Dr. G. Pechlivanoglou currently holds the position of Director General of Eunice Energy Group. |
KYRIAKOS KOKKINOS
Εx-Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos is the Ex-Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. He previously served as the Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research & Innovation Foundation and Member of the National Board of Research & Innovation. He is a distinguished professional with 30 years of experience in Executive Management, Technology and Business Consulting, served at senior Executive roles in global corporations such as IBM Europe (Executive Director & Partner) and PwC. He also served at the Board of Directors of many Organisations, including Invest Cyprus (Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency - CIPA), the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), the Cyprus Port Authority (CPA), and the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Institute. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for professional excellence, including the ‘Business Leader of the Year Award’ 2016, by Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Quality Leader Award 2015’ by Cyprus Quality Association. |
Prof. PANAYIOTIS ZAPHIRIS
Rector of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) Prof Panayiotis Zaphiris is since 2020 the Rector of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and since 2022 the Chair of the Cyprus Rectors’ Conference. He is a Professor at the Multimedia and Graphic Arts Department of CUT. He holds a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from Wayne State University, USA. He is also a graduate of Engineering Systems and Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. Prior to returning to Cyprus, he was a Reader at the Center for Human Computer Interaction Design of City University of London, where he founded and led the City Interaction Lab (funded by the Vodafone Foundation). Prior to City University, he was a researcher at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University where he took a PhD in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). His research interests are in HCI, UX/UI with an emphasis on participatory design and social aspects of Computing focusing on designing interactive systems for the elderly and the disabled. Prof Zaphiris has participated in more than 20 funded research projects with a funding of more than 7 million euros. He has published over 250 academic articles in well-known academic journals and international conferences. Recent related research activities include leading the academic management of the Youth Makerspace Larnaka (the 1st Makerspace founded in Cyprus), being the PI of HORIZON 2020 TWINNING project NOTRE and a founding member of CYENS a Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence in Cyprus focusing on Interactive media, Smart systems and emerging technologies. |
MICHAEL OIKONOMOU
Entrepreneur, co-founder Foody, AtYourService, Ideas2life Michael is an Entrepreneur, with Business & Technology foundations. He was the co-founder of Ideas2life, AtYourService as well as Foody, an online delivery platform and one of the most prominent ventures in Cyprus’ digital landscape, acquired by a global group in 2019. Michael as the co-founder of foody and later CEO, was leading the Business Development & Operations efforts helping scaling the company from zero to a great business and into one of biggest companies in the country. He stepped down in 2023 with lots of learnings and aspirations to pursue his next entrepreneurial journeys. |
IRENE PIKI
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki is the Deputy Minister to the President since 1st March 2023. She studied Economics in the UK, (BSc Regional Science – Economics and Human Geography) at the University of Reading, followed by an MSc on Environmental and Natural Resources Economics at University College London (UCL). She was employed in the public service of the Republic of Cyprus as a career technocrat from 1997 to 2023, at various posts with a wide range portfolio, which includes issues relating to the economy, environment, regional policy, reforms and investments, as well as European issues. In September 2019 she took over as Head of the Strategy, Coordination and Communication Directorate at the Ministry of Finance. In March 2021 she was promoted to Director of Finance and in October 2022 she became the Director of Economic Policy and European Affairs. She has served as member of the Board of Directors of Invest Cyprus (CIPA), the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Cyprus Organization for Standardization, as well as the Cyprus Economy and Competitiveness Council. She has also represented Cyprus in various EU Committees relating to economic and cohesion policy issues. |
DENNY KALLIVOKA
Food & Spirits Journalist, Partner Difford’s Guide, Founder Metron Ariston, co-organizer Athens Cocktail Festival, Athens Rum & Whisky Festival, Cyprus Cocktail Festival Denny studied Marketing Management and completed a Masters in Art in Media Communications in the City University of London. In 2003 she challenged herself by leaving her career as Conference Organizer for her passion. Food & Drinks and became active in journalism, writing about Food, Wine & Spirits as an editor or editor in chief for the most important newspapers & publications in Greece. She is also the Initiator & Founder of Metron Ariston- Making Responsibility a Trend, a Partner of Difford’s Guide Greece & Cyprus, founder of Aegean Cocktails & Spirits, co-organizer of the Athens Cocktail Festival, The Athens Rum & Whisky Festival and the Cyprus Cocktail Festival. She is a member of the jury committee of Gastronomos Cyprus Awards, of Cyprus 50 Best Restaurants. She has been member of the committee of the Athinorama Toq d’Or Awards for 8 years, of The Gourmet Awards and a judge in various national and international wine, spirits and cocktail competitions. She has been active on supporting localization, sustainable practices, equality, inclusivity and discerning drinking long before it all became a common practice. Founding Metron Ariston Making Responsibility a Trend in 2019 was a means to inspire responsibility in the younger generation of the bar industry . As for the rest Denny leaves to travel, to experience, to create, to dream. Since 18 she has been traveling around the world tasting. |
EVGENIOS EVGENIOU
Chairman of Invest Cyprus Chairman of Invest Cyprus, member of the National Board for Research and Innovation, of the Council of the University of Cyprus and of the Corporate Governance committee of the ICAEW. Currently a non-executive director. Had a 31-year career with PwC serving as Chairman and CEO of PwC Cyprus (2012-2021) and member of the PwC EMEA Leadership Team (2014 - 2021). Beyond commercial success key achievements included: technological transformation; digital upskilling of personnel; readying for the future of work; developing the data analytics, Cyber security, and AI capabilities; launching the PwC Experience Centre. An Imperial College London engineering graduate and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA). He completed the INSEAD International Directors and the Harvard Direct Leadership programmes. |
PHILIPPOS HADJIZACHARIAS
Deputy Minister οf Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Philippos Hadjizacharias was born in Larnaca in 1975. He is a graduate of the Larnaca Pancyprian High School and he has completed his military service with the rank of Airforce Captain. He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and holds degrees in AAT, FCCA, MA Taxation in European Law from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, and a certificate in Effective Leadership from the University of Oxford, UK. After completing his training as an Accountant-Auditor in the UK, he started his career with one of the major audit firms in Cyprus. He is a founding member of PHS & Partners and the CEO of the company until his appointment as a Deputy Minister in the Government of President Nikos Christodoulides. He is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus, where he has served on various committees. He served as a non-executive Director as well as financial and tax advisor in various multinational companies prior to his appointment. He has written several articles on tax-related issues including:
He has been a regular columnist for newspapers and economic magazines/websites, and he has participated as a guest speaker in television shows. He is engaged with Mrs Sandra Hadjizacharias and has 3 children. |
Dr. PIERIS HOURIDIS
Dean of the School of Business Administration at the European University Cyprus Dr. Pieris Houridis is the Dean of the School of Business Administration at the European University Cyprus. He holds a BEng(Hons) in Electrical Engineering, a MSc in Strategic Management and a PhD in Knowledge Management. Is a multinational-awarded researcher, activities and interest involve and focus of developing best practice in Knowledge Management (KM). His research involves the development of sophistication scale, people portfolio matrix, knowledge adaptability matrix, knowledge management intelligent system, knowledge transfer model, and performance measurement. His research also investigates into the fields of Strategic Management, Project Management, Velocity Theory and Real Quality. He worked with organizations in the automotive industry on Strategy and Quality Management issues and in the aerospace industry on Knowledge Management issues. He was also Ηead of the Research and Strategic Planning Department, of the Cyprus Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB). He is on the Board of Commissioners at Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission. Dr. Chourides also leads the cooperation of the European University of Cyprus with the Center for Alternative Finance of the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge (Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance – CCAF) in the European Mediterranean (Euro-MED) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He is an Award Assessor of the EFQM excellence model (European Foundation of Quality Management) and Advisor on IIP (Investor In People) model. He is also acting as a blind referee, for Journal of Business Excellence, and Electronic journal of Knowledge Management. |
ANNITA DEMETRIOU
PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Place of origin and date of birth: Troulloi, Larnaka District, and Famagusta (occupied by Turkish troops), 18 October 1985. Marital status: Married to Andreas Kyprianou. Studies: Social and Political Sciences (University of Cyprus) and MA in International Relations and European Studies (University of Kent, United Kingdom). Profession before election: Political Scientist. Foreign languages: English. Parliamentary tenure/activity: Representative of Larnaka constituency under the banner of DISY since June 2016. On 10 June 2021 she was elected President of the House of Representatives for the Twelfth Parliamentary Term of the House. Has previously served as: - Clerk of the House (2016-2021). - Deputy Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on Human Rights and on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women and of the House Standing Committee on Educational Affairs and Culture. - Member of the House Standing Committee on Development Plans and Public Expenditure Control and of the House Standing Committee on the Environment. Currently serves as: - Ex officio Chairperson of the Committee of Selection. - Ex officio Chairperson of the Special Committee on Ethics for the Members of the House of Representatives. - Ex officio Chairperson of the Special House Committee on Declaration and Examination of Financial Interests. - Ex officio Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on the Observance of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives. - Chairperson of the Ad Hoc House Committee on the Review and Update of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives. - Head of DISY parliamentary group in the House since March 2023. - Ambassador on behalf of the House of Representatives of the Women Political Leaders’ Network since 2019. Attending: - World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments (jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations). - Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). - Conference of Speakers of European Union Parliaments. - Conference of Presidents of Parliament of Small European States. Political career: - Member of the Troulloi Community Council (2012-2016). - Secretary for the Troulloi Local Committee of DISY (2013-2015). - Financial manager of DISY Larnaka District (2014-2016). - Spokesperson for Nicos Anastasiades (current President of the Republic of Cyprus) during his campaign for the presidential elections in 2018. - Vice President of DISY (2020-2023). - President of DISY since March 2023. |
ARIS ARISTIDOU
Co-Founder, Operations | Crim Dell Ltd Establishing Aristides Distilling in Cyprus is the second part of a journey that began in southern Missouri around 2008, in a place called Walnut Shade somewhere in the Ozark Mountains where co-founder Aris Aristidou started a successful collaboration with Jim Blansit, a local spirits enthusiast, and together they launched the first craft distillery in the Ozark Mountains since prohibition! They were later joined by co-founder Marianna Ktoridou Aristidou. In 2016, Aris and Marianna left Missouri and returned to Cyprus to embark on a new craft distillery project. After a lot of research, planning, and problem-solving, Aristides Distilling became a reality in early 2019. |
VALENTINOS POLYKARPOU
Chairman of TechIsland, General Manager, Wargaming Valentinos Polykarpou studied Political Science at The University of Cyprus and then went on to complete a Master’s in political science at the French National School of Political Sciences (Sciences Po Paris). Building on his studies he started his career in political communication and electoral analysis and then made the transition to the business world. He joined Wargaming as Communication and HR Manager in 2014. Today he is Executive Director Global HR Ops and Services and since 2018 the General Manager for the company’s Headquarters and Operations in Cyprus. Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher. It is one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 5000+ employees and offices all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. |