Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met this morning at the Maximos Mansion with Google DeepMind Co-Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis, Google’s Managing Director for Southeast Europe Peggy Antonakou, and other Google executives, as part of an inter-ministerial meeting on “The Future of Artificial Intelligence.”

During the discussion, ways to deepen and expand cooperation between the two sides were examined, given that Greece has a highly skilled workforce in the field of artificial intelligence, has developed a particularly detailed strategy for a smooth transition to the AI era, and has the capacity to pilot potential AI applications in key sectors such as disaster protection, education, and healthcare.

The importance of shaping a clear framework for the ethical use of artificial intelligence was also highlighted, as well as the need for proper education of children in the AI era.

Demis Hassabis to Mitsotakis: Greece has a huge opportunity to be at the forefront of artificial intelligence

At the opening of the meeting, the Prime Minister stated:
“Demis, I am truly glad to welcome you and to have this discussion with some of our top Ministers. I just want to emphasize that we really value the relationship we have built with Google. We consider it a strategic partnership. We have already delivered results in various fields, such as infrastructure, culture, and education, but the purpose of this discussion is to leverage your global expertise in artificial intelligence to identify new areas of cooperation, particularly regarding efficiency in governance.”

“This is an issue I am particularly interested in. We see tremendous potential when it comes to streamlining government services and improving interaction between government and citizens. We have already integrated AI tools into the main public services portal, and the results are highly impressive. We would also like to understand how you view Greece’s place in the new emerging AI landscape.”

“As you know, we have a very detailed strategy regarding the role and position Greece can have in the global AI ecosystem. There are certain areas, such as education and healthcare, where I believe we can make great progress and be at the forefront of innovation.

We have a very dynamic innovation ecosystem in Greece. We will have the opportunity to speak with them this evening — thank you for agreeing to change the time of the event, as you understand, at 9:00 p.m., no matter how exciting artificial intelligence and your presence may be, I doubt there would have been a large audience — but also to discuss issues that I know concern you, such as the protection of children and minors, of adolescents.”

“And of course, to talk about the public sphere and how we could use artificial intelligence to break the silos of polarization and have a more civilized dialogue, something that should concern us all as democratic countries, especially in light of the horrific events that took place across the Atlantic. I’ll stop here. Once again, thank you very much for dedicating time to our team.”

Google DeepMind Co-Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis, for his part, noted:
“Greece has a huge opportunity to be at the forefront of maximizing the potential of artificial intelligence, leveraging its impressive startup ecosystem and culture of innovation. Together with the rest of Europe, Greece can also play a key role in shaping the responsible development and governance of AI at the global level, working closely with allies such as the US and the UK.”

On the government side, participants included Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Labour and Social Security Niki Kerameus, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, Special Secretary for Long-Term Planning in the Presidency of the Government Giannis Mastrogeorgiou, and the Prime Minister’s Director of International Strategic Planning and Communications Aristotelia Peloni. On Google’s side, Eugenia Bozou, Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, also took part.