Greece as a Hub for AI: Progress or Peril?

Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a workshop in London organized by the Tony Blair Institute. The workshop explored artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in government policies. Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis from DeepMind, along with his team, discussed AI’s applications in healthcare, climate crises, and civil protection.

Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s national plan to integrate AI into key areas, describing it as “essential for the country’s future.” He emphasized the importance of moving swiftly from planning to execution and stressed the country’s active participation in global debates about AI regulation and ethical considerations. “Greece stands at the forefront of AI conversations, shaping discussions on both technology use and EU-level policies.”

AI Ethical Dilemma and Job Loss Fears

How many jobs will AI erase, and who will clean up the chaos? The workshop debated AI’s ethical boundaries and potential workforce threats. Government officials agreed the focus must include safeguards against harm, while Mitsotakis stated, “The ethical dimension of AI is non-negotiable.”

Discussions pointed out the heavy reliance on data. Data, dubbed a “major tool” for AI progress, came with a caveat—strict rules of safety and transparency must govern its use.

Participants analyzed how the British government had already incorporated AI into its operations and explored how Greece could adapt. Policy implications and potential risks were at the center of these discussions.

Programs Discussed:

• AI in Healthcare: Revolutionary uses in diagnostics and treatment.
• Climate Solutions via AI: Tools to predict and address environmental crises.
• Public Safety Applications: AI aiding civil protection systems.
• Workforce Concerns: Addressing job displacements linked to AI systems.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Creating balanced rules at an EU level.

The conclusion was clear: governments must embrace AI responsibly, but hesitation won’t spare lost economic and societal opportunities.

The Uncertain Road Ahead for AI Adoption

AI’s role in reshaping the workforce raises more questions than answers. How fast can AI replace human tasks? How significantly will it save time and affect productivity? These uncertainties make predictions tricky. However, one thing is clear—while AI promises efficiency, job losses are not optional but expected.

Yet, the story doesn’t end there. History shows that technology influences labour demand in two main ways: replacing roles and creating needs for new ones. What is the long-term effect? It’s a balancing act. AI could trigger job cuts, but it also has the potential to spark growth, foster innovation, and generate entirely new employment sectors.

The projections aren’t uplifting. UK analysts estimate AI might displace anywhere from 1 to 3 million jobs as industries adopt new tools. The initial wave of layoffs may be unsettling, with some sectors choosing to pocket their newfound time savings by downsizing.

But it won’t all hit at once. Layoffs could climb gradually based on how fast AI spreads. At its peak, annual job losses may range from a modest 60,000 to a steeper 275,000. Put this in perspective—the UK has averaged 450,000 job cuts annually over the past decade. Within a workforce of 33 million, such figures could feel less dramatic. Should we breathe a sigh of relief or brace for upheaval?

Here’s the scathing question: Is Greece, positioning itself as a hub for AI innovation, prepared for the fallout? Experts suggest many jobs will vanish. This isn’t some dystopian prediction—it’s already evident. And let’s not forget, “new jobs” aren’t instant replacements. How long before displaced workers see real opportunities again? Or will they be left behind?

What Jobs Will AI Displace First?

AI isn’t messing around. It’s taking over roles left and right, and here’s a breakdown of who should worry most:

• Data entry and administrative work: Goodbye, tedious spreadsheets! AI can now handle data entry, document organization, and sorting with speed and zero whining. Human perfectionists never stood a chance against error-free algorithms.
• Customer service: Chatbots are stealing the show, answering queries and solving basic problems faster than a human can say, “Let me check.” Sure, complex cases still need a person, but basic reps are feeling the heat. For example, chatbots now handle 24/7 online customer inquiries for hotels and travel businesses. Got a question? The bot has a quicker answer than you’d get from a human.
• Basic analytical roles: AI is crunching numbers and spitting out reports faster than any entry-level finance graduate. Automated insights for financial summaries and market reports are leaving humans behind to stare at pivot tables.
• Entry-level graphic designers: Designing logos, social media posts, and basic visuals? AI software does it now for the cost of a Netflix subscription. Originality’s optional—apparently.
• Translation jobs: AI translators have raised the bar with multiple language capabilities. Real-time translation without bathroom breaks? Sign managers up. Humans can only watch their bilingual talents get outpaced.
• Corporate photography: Generative AI takes over routine office shots and event photos with automated editing and perfect lighting. Pros might still land unique gigs, but basic corporate snaps? Forget about it.
• Creative writers: AI writing tools are spitting out copy, blogs, and ad concepts that were once paid gigs for humans. Catchy headlines? Done. SEO keywords? Covered. Creatives are facing competition that never clocks out.
• Music composers: AI generates royalty-free tracks for ads, videos, and games faster than any person can. Entrance-level composers don’t stand a chance—and even professionals are starting to feel the squeeze.
• Tour guides: Museums, historic sites, and tourist hotspots are ditching human guides. AI-powered presentations offer multi-language support, and VR tech lets people visit places virtually without ever packing a bag.

AI isn’t narrowing its sights to repetitive work. Creative industries aren’t immune—not by a long shot. Painters, actors, filmmakers, illustrators—if a job can be partially automated or enhanced by tech, it’s at risk in some way.

The push for Greece to lead in AI innovation comes with growth promises. However, workers wonder if the benefits will trickle down—or if they’ll pay the price. Programs and measures leaders propose include:

• Upskilling initiatives aimed at teaching workers AI-related skills.
• Government incentives for companies to develop AI projects locally.
• Support funds for industries most at risk of automation upheaval.
• AI research hubs to keep Greece at the forefront of innovation.

While these look good on paper, execution remains a question. A local worker might ask: “Does this mean I’m safe, or am I just a statistic in this grand plan to ‘position Greece’ on the global map?”