By Euripides Evivriades

AI is not a distant challenge; it is already reshaping our economies, democracies and societies. However, the debate remains dominated by a few corporations amassing billions in profits, while the broader public and policymakers are left reacting to their innovations. This imbalance raises profound questions: Are we shaping AI, or is AI – and its corporate stewards – shaping us?

Our response to its opportunities and threats will define the future of democracy, governance, human rights, the rule of law, diplomacy, global economic systems and issues of war and peace in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world.

The double-edged sword

AI, like Prometheus’ fire, holds the potential to transform our world and optimise lives. Yet, it also brings profound risks. Fire can warm or destroy; so too can AI.

In 2023, over 420 million cyberattacks targeted critical infrastructure globally, disrupting energy grids, financial systems and healthcare services. AI was weaponised to amplify the scale and precision of these attacks.

Consider the 2024 European Parliament elections, where deepfake videos and cyberattacks sought to discredit candidates and destabilise democratic processes. These manipulations, linked to state and non-state actors, aimed to erode trust in institutions.

Many have likened AI to an “Oppenheimer moment” – not merely a new tool, but a force capable of reshaping global power dynamics, much as nuclear technology did in the mid-20th century. This moment challenges us to harness AI responsibly, ensuring it becomes a force for progress, not destruction.

AI diplomacy

The EU is uniquely positioned to lead the global governance of AI. Initiatives like the EU-US Trade and Technology Council demonstrate how partnerships can harmonise standards and foster innovation.

But Europe cannot lead in isolation. China’s rapid AI advancements and Russia’s integration of AI into hybrid warfare underscore the urgency of shaping global norms. Meanwhile, the Global South risks being excluded, exacerbating inequalities and creating unregulated AI hubs with fewer safeguards.

The EU must act decisively. Technology transfer programmes should provide affordable access to AI tools, while tailored literacy and training initiatives can empower developing nations.

Partnerships with regions like Africa and South Asia, modelled on the EU’s Digital4Development programme, are essential to fostering innovation ecosystems. These efforts can transform the digital divide into a bridge of opportunity.

Europe’s leadership in AI must also inspire collaboration with other global powers, including the US and India, to build a truly inclusive framework for governance. A united approach ensures that AI serves humanity, not just a privileged few.

Ethics, morality and control

Can we control AI as it becomes increasingly autonomous? Or will AI control us?

AI already makes life-altering decisions – determining loans, college admissions, prioritising medical care and influencing battlefield outcomes. Autonomous systems operating without human oversight challenge the very principles of international humanitarian law.

Clausewitz’s insight into war remains strikingly relevant: “War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty.” AI intensifies this “fog of war”, as autonomous systems risk decisions divorced from ethical judgement.

The EU must champion enforceable international treaties to regulate AI technologies, as it has done with chemical weapons and landmines. Governance is undoubtedly challenging, but history shows it is possible. Just as nuclear treaties curbed the risks of nuclear proliferation, collective action can prevent AI from spiralling beyond control.

Bias in AI algorithms perpetuates systemic inequalities in hiring, law enforcement and credit scoring. Ethical governance must ensure AI serves all humanity equitably, not entrenched interests or authoritarian regimes.

Democracy and human rights

AI poses direct challenges to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. AI-driven facial recognition is used to suppress dissent and monitor minority communities. Algorithms that reinforce biases magnify injustices already present in society.

The Council of Europe’s “Recommendation on AI and Human Rights” integrates ethical considerations into governance frameworks. The EU must build on this foundation to align regulation with the protection of democracy and individual freedoms.

Europe’s future lies not only in technology but in its people. Programmes like Horizon Europe provide funding for AI research, but we must also equip young researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers with the tools to lead this transformation.

The establishment of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre is a significant step, but it must be complemented by a robust ecosystem of research, development and training. Young innovators must be central to these efforts; their work will shape Europe’s AI future.

Looking ahead, the integration of AI with transformative technologies, such as quantum computing, promises unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Quantum AI could revolutionise cryptography, creating breakthroughs in security while introducing vulnerabilities that render traditional encryption obsolete.

We must also prepare for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – machines capable of reasoning and decision-making like humans. AGI could redefine human progress – or threaten it. Preparing for this paradigm shift demands urgent and collaborative action. AGI governance will require technical expertise, deep ethical reflection and inclusive international cooperation.

A call to action

The philosopher Immanuel Kant once said, “Science is organised knowledge. Wisdom is organised life.” As we navigate the complexities of AI, we must combine knowledge with wisdom to ensure this tool enhances, rather than undermines, our shared humanity.

AI’s rise is inextricably linked to the race for outer space. AI is transforming space exploration, satellite communications and defence systems, making outer space the next strategic frontier. The nation or bloc that integrates AI with space technologies will gain decisive advantages – not only in defence but also in economic and global influence.

The EU must champion international frameworks to prevent the militarisation of space, regulate AI in satellite networks, and ensure space remains a global commons accessible to all.

The time to act is now. Europe must not only lead but inspire global cooperation to ensure AI serves humanity’s highest ideals. Let us advocate for fairness, ensuring that the Global South is not left behind in the AI revolution. Above all, let us embed ethics into every layer of AI development, remembering that technology must serve humanity – not the other way around.

The challenges are immense, but they are not insurmountable. Europe must ensure it remains a leader in AI innovation and a bastion of security, cooperation and human dignity in an uncertain world.

Extract from the keynote speech delivered by Euripides Evriviades a former ambassador, during the pilot seminar by the Cyprus Defence and Security Academy at the University of Nicosia in December