Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
David Rowan, the founding editor of WIRED UK, captivated the audience at the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2024 with his bold vision of how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will reshape the future of business and society. Held annually in Nicosia, the summit has become a prominent tech event, gathering industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge trends. This year, Rowan’s message struck a chord, bringing both optimism and caution about the rapid pace of technological change.
In an interview on the sidelines of the event (watch the full interview below), Rowan shared his belief that Cyprus is well-positioned to take advantage of these shifts. "This is one of those rare moments where everything is up for grabs," he said. "We're at the early stages of a revolution in communication, production, and where value lies, and there's no reason Cyprus can't be where the next enormous growth companies are built, especially with AI as a driving force."
Rowan emphasized that AI will soon become as ubiquitous as electricity, integrated into everything without being a distinct topic of discussion. "AI is adding cognitive abilities to almost everything," he said. "From self-driving cars to new materials and medicines designed by AI, it’s still early, but the potential is vast."
However, Rowan also addressed concerns about AI’s impact on the workforce. He acknowledged that as AI advances, it will take over many routine tasks, leading to changes in employment patterns. "In the short term, there’s going to be some social dislocation—protests, marches, strikes," he warned, noting that sectors like budgeting and marketing could soon be largely automated. But he added that this could free humans to focus on more meaningful, higher-level work.
"Who is training people to go to that next level?" Rowan asked, pointing to the need for constant learning and adaptation. He urged governments, large employers, and the education system to rethink how they prepare the workforce for this future, stressing that learning should no longer stop at university but be a continuous process of unlearning and relearning.
When asked about the significance of the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit, Rowan was enthusiastic about its role in fostering innovation. "Cyprus is in a really strong position," he said. "You’ve got technical universities, you’re attracting foreign talent, and your tax regime is appealing. The next trillion-dollar companies haven’t been launched yet, and there’s no reason some of them can’t emerge from Cyprus. Events like this bring people together to have those unexpected conversations and help fund each other’s startups. We need more of this in Cyprus."
As a seasoned technology columnist and author, Rowan has spent years advising leaders on how to future-proof their businesses amid disruption. His bestselling book, Non-Bullshit Innovation: 17 Proven Ways to Transform How You Work, is a guide for companies looking to build resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.
Rowan's message to Cyprus was clear: Embrace the possibilities of AI and innovation, but be prepared for the challenges that come with it. The key is to stay ahead of the curve through constant learning, collaboration, and adaptability.
Watch the full interview below:
