Despite having one of the highest rates of tertiary educational attainment in Europe, multiple indicators suggest that Cyprus is at risk of falling behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. For instance, on the Digital Economy and Society Index, Cyprus continues to rank 21st or lower within the EU, during the past five years (2017 – 2021). Human Capital is consistently cited as the key dimension of concern. These findings are worrying considering the rapid changes taking place in the information landscape, such as the consolidation of networked information services, and the rise of proprietary algorithmic processes that mediate citizens’ access to information and opportunities. Furthermore, the workforce of the future will need to develop a healthy symbiosis with algorithmic processes, driving the need not only for digital skills, but also algorithmic literacy.
The Cyprus Center for Algorithmic Transparency (CyCAT), established at the Open University of Cyprus (OUC), aims to become the regional expert in issues of information access, working with local authorities and educators to promote transparency in algorithmic systems, and enhanced digital literacy skills. The CyCAT Twinning project established a network of leading researchers across Europe and Israel, who are experts in the areas of informatics and algorithmic bias, enhancing the capacities of the local CyCAT team.
Specifically, the project’s objectives focus on making both scientific and broader, societal impacts:
• Scientific: Provide support to OUC researchers, enhancing their relevance and performance, by establishing a strong network and developing outward-facing, cross-institutional initiatives. Through CyCAT scientific activities, the team will develop novel computational methods, personalized tools, and innovative training and education programs.
• Societal: Promote digital literacy and raise citizens’ awareness of the ways in which data analytics and algorithmic processes directly or indirectly affect them; support the Responsible Research and Innovation culture in Cyprus.
The conclusions of the action can be summarized as follows:
• Scientific Objectives: i) The OUC significantly raised its capacity for research excellence, as evidenced by the number of competitive research proposals submitted and won during the 39 months of the project, the high-profile publications that were produced, as well as the recognition of its researchers through invitations to give seminars and keynotes, a best demo award received at an international conference, and other indicators.
• Societal Objectives: Educational interventions took place during the project, focused on three target groups – public school teachers, students in technical programs (e.g. computer science, data science), and the general public. Multiple appearances in the Cypriot media raised the issue of integrating algorithmic literacy into educational. Notably, a short (8 weeks) online course on “Everyday AI” was launched at the OUC; 396 members of the public participated.
