Peggy Antonakou, Google’s Regional Managing Director for Southeastern Europe, spoke on Direct with Giorgos Evgenidis about the sweeping changes brought by Artificial Intelligence (AI), its impact on society and the economy, and the challenges that lie ahead.
“We are facing a structural change in the way we function because of AI,” Antonakou noted, citing Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, who said that “AI, compared to the Industrial Revolution, will be ten times more intense and faster.”
“Our Children Will Wonder How We Ever Drove Cars”
“It’s fascinating — we now wonder how we ever lived without Google Maps. Today, maps even suggest the most eco-friendly routes, and there’s still much more to come. We’ll soon see driverless cars. Our children will be wondering what it was like when cars still had drivers,” Antonakou said.
As for the coming changes, she added:
“All education systems and countries are trying to move fast, but we’re not fully ready — this is happening right now and at great speed. Still, we’re the most adaptable species on the planet, and we’ve achieved amazing things even without Artificial Intelligence.”
“It’s Not About Coding Anymore”
Asked what AI really is, Antonakou explained:
“In the past, we talked about automation. AI is different because it’s about collaboration between humans and algorithms. You communicate with AI using words, sound, and images — you don’t need to know how to code. Very few people in their forties are truly ‘analog’ anymore. You can just talk to a chatbot and say, ‘help me.’ I use it every day to make my life easier and faster.”
Reskilling and the Future of Work
On the topic of reskilling and how AI will affect jobs, she said:
“We want these tools to enhance productivity. According to research, AI will affect 94% of professions, but only 6% of jobs will be replaced. So, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. About 60% of roles will become more productive. That means workers aren’t threatened by AI tools themselves — they’re threatened by other workers who use them better.”
Google’s Educational Programs
Antonakou also spoke about Google’s education initiatives:
“In schools, we have completely free programs — we’ve trained 200,000 students in AI so far.”
She added that surveys show students “wish their parents knew more about technology,” and that Google is therefore also training parents and teachers.
Europe, the U.S., and China in the AI Race
When asked if Europe is lagging behind the U.S. and China in AI, Antonakou replied:
“Europe does have some catching up to do compared to the U.S. and China’s pace. However, the regulatory framework is crucial, and the EU has made important progress there. Europe leads in regulation, but it now needs to invest more heavily in innovation.”
Speaking about Greece, she noted that the country has undergone a radical digital transformation — citing, among other examples, the streamlined process for issuing public certificates.
“We’re Lucky to Live in This Era”
Concluding the interview, Antonakou emphasized:
“We want these tools to amplify productivity. We’re incredibly lucky to live in an era that’s reshaping the course of history — the impossible is becoming possible.”
