Greek ministers and technology experts addressed both the potential and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence during a panel discussion at the 44th Athens Book Festival.
The event, organized in collaboration with Parliament's Special Standing Committee on Research and Technology, featured Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou.
Digital Governance Minister Papastergiou described ChatGPT as "an exceptional digital parrot" that synthesizes existing data, while cautioning: "AI can process vast data sets and make comparisons, but humans must retain decision-making authority." He also raised concerns about AI's use of Greek vocabulary in training datasets.
Culture Minister Mendoni, appearing via recorded message, noted AI's unprecedented ability to "not just transform how we work, but redefine how we think." She highlighted AI's cultural applications - from novel-writing to music composition - while stressing the need to safeguard Hellenic cultural values: "Our policy toward AI cannot be negative nor neutral; we need a framework."
Stratos Simopoulos, chair of Parliament's technology committee, pointed to practical applications: "Had we used satellites to digitize pasturelands and subsidy recipients, we could have avoided the OPEKEPE scandal." The ND MP from Thessaloniki framed the core dilemma as "setting boundaries for technological advancement while protecting personal data."
All speakers agreed on AI's transformative potential while emphasizing the need for human oversight. As Simopoulos concluded: "People shouldn't fear AI, but must ensure it doesn't slip from our control."
The discussion forms part of Greece's ongoing national dialogue about regulating emerging technologies while harnessing their benefits.
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