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A majority of Cypriots are concerned that artificial intelligence could harm the livelihoods of artists, according to a Eurobarometer survey published Thursday, reflecting wider European unease about the role of AI in the cultural sector.
Eighty percent of Cypriot respondents said they feared generative AI could negatively affect artists’ employment and income, compared to 73% across the European Union. Meanwhile, just half of Cypriots said they could tell the difference between AI-generated art and human-made works.
The survey also highlighted concerns over fair pay, with only 23% of Cypriots believing artists in their country are compensated fairly, a stark contrast to the 51% average across the EU.
The findings come as the European Commission prepares its “Cultural Compass for Europe,” a new strategy for cultural policy expected in 2025. Conducted in Cyprus between Feb. 18 and March 12, the survey included 500 respondents. EU-wide, 26,319 people participated.
Among Cypriots, the top cultural priorities for the EU were protecting heritage during conflicts and disasters (57%), improving pay and working conditions for cultural workers (56%), and supporting skill development in the arts (52%). Increasing accessibility (49%) and funding for the arts (48%) also ranked high.
Across the EU, citizens prioritized accessibility (45%), heritage protection (43%), fair pay (42%), artistic rights (40%), and skills support (33%).
Despite strong support for artistic freedom, 94% of Cypriots and 88% of EU respondents said it matters, only 63% of Cypriots believe artists can freely express their views without government censorship. Even fewer (59%) felt artists are safe from censorship or retaliation by non-governmental actors.
Participation in cultural activities remains limited. Just 36% of Cypriots reported engaging in artistic endeavors over the past year, compared to 49% EU-wide. A lack of time (61%) and insufficient information about events (28%) were the most cited barriers in Cyprus, with ticket costs also noted by 27%.
“These results show how important culture is to Europeans—not only because it forms part of their identity, but because it represents a shared foundation for Europe’s future,” said Glen Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture, and Sport.
