The EU Delegation to Israel, the Embassy of Cyprus in Israel, Microsoft Israel and Generative AI for Good convened diplomats, technology executives, investors and human rights experts Wednesday for a Tel Aviv event focused on responsible artificial intelligence.
The event, held at Microsoft Reactor Tel Aviv, examined AI accountability, cyber resilience and human-centered technology as foundations for cross-border partnerships between Israel, Cyprus and Europe.
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Speakers, organizers and participants pose for a group photo during the AI for Responsible Innovation and Shared Prosperity event in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Nimrod Aronow)
Cyprus currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event was held in partnership with EIT Hub Israel.
Noa Lavie, a journalist and television host, moderated the event.
Hila Hubsch, head of corporate, external and legal affairs at Microsoft Israel, said AI is becoming “core economic infrastructure” and that trust will be central to its adoption across jurisdictions.
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Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus' ambassador to Israel (left) attends the responsible AI conference in Tel Aviv
(Photo: Nimrod Aronow)
Michael Mann, head of the EU Delegation to Israel, said responsible AI would be built through partnerships among countries, companies and institutions.
Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus’ ambassador to Israel, described Cyprus as “the strategic, EU-regulated tech bridge linking India, the Middle East and Europe into one secure, high-growth economic corridor.”
In a keynote discussion, Demetris Skourides, chief scientist of Cyprus and chair of its National AI Taskforce in the EU, said Cyprus offers Israeli companies a gateway to the European Union.
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Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus' ambassador to Israel, delivers remarks during the responsible AI conference at Microsoft Reactor Tel Aviv
(Photo: Nimrod Aronow)
“For an Israeli company, Cyprus is not a small market. It is a doorway into the European Union,” Skourides said. “The regulation often perceived as a cost is actually the passport.”
Human rights expert Tatiana Kotlyarenko said AI tools can either expose vulnerable people to danger or help protect them, depending on how they are built.
The event also featured a case study by Shiran Mlamdovsky Somech, founder and CEO of Generative AI for Good. She presented Hearing Their Voices, a platform that allows survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to testify publicly without revealing their faces.
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Michael Mann, head of the EU Delegation to Israel, Shiran Mlamdovsky Somech (center), founder and CEO of Generative AI for Good, and Kornelios Korneliou, Cyprus' ambassador to Israel, at the AI for Responsible Innovation and Shared Prosperity conference
(Photo: Nimrod Aronow)
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Participants attend the AI for Responsible Innovation and Shared Prosperity conference at Microsoft Reactor Tel Aviv, organized by the EU Delegation to Israel, the Embassy of Cyprus and Microsoft Israel
(Photo: Nimrod Aronow)
Mlamdovsky Somech said protective AI tools should be developed with technology companies and human rights experts “to protect people and pursue justice, not merely to mitigate harm.”
A panel on investment included Eden Dvir Zano of EIT Hub Israel, Hila Rom of FutureFirst VC, Kevin Baxpehler of Remagine Ventures and Shahar Botzer of Good Company. Sofronis Papageorgiou of the Cyprus Trade Center moderated.
A closing startup panel featured Omer Perez of Wonderful, which develops agentic AI for enterprises, and Michal Volovski of Mentaliy, which uses AI for mental health triage.
Organizers said the event was intended to strengthen cooperation among Cyprus, Europe and Israel on trusted AI development.