At the recent New Democracy Congress, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis moved beyond a simple review of government achievements, instead opening a significant window into the future by focusing on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. His presentation, supported by audiovisual material highlighting the country's digital progress, marks a critical turning point: Greece no longer seeks merely to follow global trends but aims to lead in shaping the European digital landscape.
Mr. Mitsotakis described AI not as an abstract technological concept but as a tool for social justice and administrative efficiency. According to the Prime Minister, integrating algorithms into public administration could deliver the "final blow" to the bureaucracy that has plagued the country for decades. His reference to the mAIgov platform—the first AI-based digital assistant for citizens—served as the centerpiece of this transition.
AI as a Catalyst for Public Sector Reform
The strategy unveiled at the congress focuses on three central pillars: citizen services, healthcare, and education. The Prime Minister emphasized that AI can dramatically accelerate the delivery of justice and disease diagnosis within the National Health System (ESY), reducing waiting lists and improving the quality of care. "We do not fear technology; we harness it for the benefit of the many," he stated, setting the tone for "smart" governance.
Particular emphasis was placed on labor protection. Mr. Mitsotakis admitted that the transition would cause shifts in the labor market, but argued that the answer is not regression but reskilling. Greece, through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is investing billions in digital skills programs, aiming to prepare the workforce for the jobs of 2030.
The Advisory Committee and the Ethical Framework
One of the most compelling aspects of the speech was the mention of the High-Level Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence, chaired by distinguished MIT professor Constantinos Daskalakis. The Prime Minister highlighted that Greece is among the first countries to assemble such a body of experts, ensuring that AI development occurs within a rigorous ethical and deontological framework.
This committee does not merely serve an advisory role; it acts as a bulwark against the potential threats of AI, such as disinformation (deepfakes) and privacy violations. Mr. Mitsotakis noted that Greece would lead discussions within the European Union regarding the implementation of the AI Act, seeking a balance between fostering innovation and protecting fundamental rights.
Geopolitics and Technological Sovereignty
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister linked AI to national power. In a world where technological superiority translates into geopolitical influence, Greece aspires to become a regional hub for data and technology. Investments by global giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services in Greece are not coincidental but the result of a coherent policy making the country an attractive destination for global tech capital.
The New Democracy Congress sent a clear message: the digital transition is the "new national idea." For Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Artificial Intelligence is not just a topic for specialists but the key to a Greece that is more modern, faster, and ultimately more powerful in the 21st century.
