Building AI tools is not enough. We also have a responsibility to help people understand what these tools can and cannot do, how they should be used, and when their outputs should be questioned. This requires sustained dialogue with students, clinicians, educators, and the wider public, especially as AI systems increasingly influence decisions that call for careful human judgement.
I am Savvas A. Chatzichristofis, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Neapolis University Pafos. My early research focused on teaching machines to recognise visual patterns. Today, I am equally focused on helping people recognise patterns in AI-generated outputs, assess them critically, and know when to trust them and when to pause.
1. Who I Am
I grew up in Cyprus and studied Electrical and Computer Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace, where I completed a PhD focused on computer vision. I later worked as a postdoctoral researcher at CERTH and held academic appointments at Cyprus University of Technology and Alpen-Adria-Universität in Austria.
I joined Neapolis University Pafos in 2017 and now serve as Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation and Professor of Artificial Intelligence. I am an IEEE Senior Member and a member of Sigma Xi. Across these roles, I continue to value carefully framed questions, rigorous methods, and learning alongside students and colleagues.
2. What I Do
My research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics, with an emphasis on real-world applications. I have contributed to more than fifteen European research projects and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across several countries. My work has been published in journals including IEEE Transactions on Image Processing and IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. I also serve as Editor-in-Chief of AI in Education.
A central aim of my work is to connect research findings with educational practice, policy, and collaborative initiatives.
Selected externally funded projects:
- sFly: Vision-based navigation for drones operating without GPS, using visual SLAM. [Video] [CORDIS]
- NOPTILUS: Coordination of autonomous underwater vehicles for deep-sea missions. [Video] [CORDIS]
- Compact Composite Descriptors (CCDs): Efficient methods for multimedia indexing and retrieval. [Read more]
In addition to academic publications, I write articles and create short videos that make technical ideas more accessible. I have also contributed to open-source and commercial software tools, including LIRe, img(Rummager), and Houdini MC.
3. Why It Matters
I study how AI can be introduced into classrooms and clinical settings with appropriate safeguards and well-defined educational or clinical goals. My work examines ethical, pedagogically sound, and inclusive uses of AI that support human reasoning rather than replace it.
In education, I investigate whether, when, and under what conditions teacher-mediated AI can support learning, particularly for students from underrepresented groups. In medicine, I develop clinical decision-support tools intended to assist clinicians while preserving professional judgement and autonomy.
I believe AI systems should be designed around human needs and the complexity of human judgement. Because responsible adoption also depends on public understanding, I contribute to podcasts, media discussions, school visits, and other forms of academic outreach.
My research is also informed by the philosophy of information. I am interested in how meaning is created, shared, and contested when mediated by machines, and in how systems can support critical reflection and informed decision-making.
Beyond academia, I remain connected to the stories that shaped my imagination while growing up, including Back to the Future, The Matrix, Monkey Island, and The Longest Journey. They continue to remind me of the value of wonder, curiosity, and questions that do not yield easy answers.
4. Who I Work With
I work with learning communities in schools, coding clubs, festivals, and robotics events, creating shared, hands-on learning experiences. I also collaborate with educators and institutions through policy groups, international consortia, and teacher-training initiatives that connect local practice with wider frameworks.
I offer free school visits, open educational resources, and practical sessions intended to make learning more accessible. Some of these initiatives have been recognised nationally in Cyprus and at European level through the ALL DIGITAL Awards. For me, the most valuable part of this work remains the difficult questions and moments of discovery that emerge when working with young learners.
I serve on national advisory bodies, including Cyprus’s National AI Taskforce, and contribute to national work on AI in education. I also write children’s books that bring together storytelling and science.
As Head of the Department of Computer Science, I have seen a strong culture of curiosity and collaboration among our students. This is reflected in their participation in the ICPC World Finals and in their recognition in international programming contests. These achievements reflect what open, shared learning environments can make possible, both within and beyond the classroom.