ENGLISH SECTION
20/06/2025 | 16:49
PM Mitsotakis: Greece can play a leading role in the field of AI
“We have always believed that Greece can play a leading role within the framework of our strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI). In understanding what we can truly learn from ancient philosophy and wisdom in order to confront a profound and unprecedented challenge: the rise of artificial intelligence,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated during his discussion with Baroness Beeban Kidron, a member of the UK House of Lords, at the conference “The Lyceum Project 2025 – Children in the Age of AI”.
The prime minister emphasised that, for the first time, humanity is not dealing with simply another tool, but with something that challenges the very concept of human consciousness, existence, and will.
“This is not merely a technological advancement, nor just innovation; it is something entirely different,” he said. He explained that the problem is that children are not treated as children but as adults in the digital world, “even though we recognise that they are far more vulnerable.”
“We have allowed an unprecedented global experiment on the mental health of our children and adolescents to take place. Based on the scientific data we have, this is not expected to end well. Parents are aware of it. Parents see that something is wrong, but they don’t know how to handle it,” he added.
Mitsotakis stated that digital content is designed in such a way as to keep children and adolescents engaged for as many hours as possible on certain apps because that’s how tech companies make money.
“The algorithms are designed to promote addiction. This is reminiscent of the tobacco industry, which knew for decades that smoking was addictive but continued anyway. The same applies here,” he noted, emphasising that “as responsible leaders, we must take action.”
He referred to the Kids Wallet app and the need for European regulation. “We truly want to lead on this issue,” Mitsotakis said. “I personally want to play a leading role at European level. When I talk with my European colleagues, I tell them we must pick our battles wisely, in terms of the regulatory framework. We cannot regulate everything in Europe, but we must identify the issues we truly must focus on. We must recognize that innovation and regulation are not always in agreement. But let us pick the battles that are important for us.”
Specifically, the Greek premier focused on two such battles: “The first relates to democracy and to how technology intervenes in democratic dialog. And the second is the protection of our children and teenagers. These are the two battles I have picked to fight. And, as far as I am aware, I was the only leader speaking on this issue at the UN General Assembly meeting last year. And I plan to speak about this again, because I believe it is a global problem.”
The prime minister also referred to the issue of education and the major challenges and opportunities brought by artificial intelligence. “How can we tell children to resist a tool that offers them everything they want? The temptation is enormous, and even we cannot resist it. But we cannot place all the burden on parents. Parents should not be left unaided. They need tools, clearly defined preset limits, breaking the cycle of addiction,” he added.
Mitsotakis also said that regulations, filters, and usage time limits are the real weapons that can make a difference.
“And of course, the best shield for our children is sports. There is nothing better than investing in infrastructure, physical activity, and socialisation. Ultimately, we cannot allow platforms to continue operating as neutral entities without responsibility for the content they host,” he emphasised.
source ANA-MPA
