The Cyprus National Bioethics Committee has called for the development of a national strategic plan for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector.

In an official opinion issued on the matter, the Committee stated that its proposals are grounded in the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), reports by the European Parliament, and reputable international and local academic literature.

The Committee recommends the immediate drafting of a national AI strategy specifically for healthcare, with its own active involvement in the process. It emphasizes the urgent need to establish a high-level scientific advisory council of experts, in accordance with the provisions of the proposed EU AI Regulation. This body would be tasked with developing suitable guidelines and frameworks for producing advanced and trustworthy AI systems.

The Committee also proposes the participation of all relevant stakeholders — including experts and scientists — in shaping the national strategy. It calls for institutional cooperation between national regulatory authorities and academic institutions, and the adoption of a comprehensive education strategy aimed at both citizens and professionals to ensure the safe and informed use of AI.

At the same time, the Committee stresses the importance of accelerating digital transformation within the health sector, noting that “in today’s digital era, every society’s primary concern should be its smooth adaptation to technological imperatives.” It further recommends collaborations with equivalent National Bioethics Committees abroad and the exchange of best practices.

According to the Committee, the overarching goal is to “create a human-centered framework for the implementation of Artificial Intelligence — one that serves, rather than diminishes, humanity.”

The opinion was unanimously approved during the Committee’s session on September 18, 2024, by the following members in alphabetical order: Konstantinos Fellas (Chair), Ioannis Kkolos (Vice-Chair), Aristotelis Konstantinidis, Afroditi Elissaiou, Georgios Georgiou, Yiannis Antoniadis, Giorgos Samoutis, Marios Kariolou, Panayiotis Papageorgis, Pavlos Kostea, and Zoe Kyriakidou.