Greece AI advisory team to develop national blueprint for tech

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Greece has joined a growing list of nations looking to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their economy by launching a new advisory committee to create a national strategy.

In an official announcement, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued the green light to establish an AI advisory team to spearhead the country’s foray into the technology. The Committee saddled with several responsibilities, comprises leading professionals drawn from IT, science, and ethics, with all services to be rendered for free.

Top of the list for the Commission is the creation of a pathway toward creating a legal framework to regulate the activities of AI development in the country. Other matters of interest for the new AI team will be to assess the impact of innovative technology on key sectors of the economy, mitigating areas of risks and ensuring safe usage.

“The Commission will provide evidence-based advice and proposals on how Greece can take advantage of the multiple possibilities and opportunities arising from the use of IT, but also how it can implement a coherent framework of protection against potential challenges and adjustments, inequalities and the risk involved,” read the announcement.

Aware of the daunting task before them, the Committee says it will begin its work by improving local infrastructure to support the development of AI systems under a brand new national strategy. Rather than developing in silos, the newly minted AI team says it will align its objectives with international frameworks, identify areas with competitive advantages, and double down on them.

“We will also work in a coordinated manner so that Greece can be a member of the international initiatives for AI that are being developed within the framework of the International Organization of Artificial Intelligence,” said Constantinos Daskalakis, a team member.

Greece hopes to increase the local talent pool for AI as part of ambitious plans to attract leading AI developers to the country. However, the country’s AI ambitions seem far off, given its late entry into the fray with several European Union (EU) nations enjoying a first-mover advantage.

Spain has set things in motion to supervise AI through a new regulation agency, inching toward rules that are “inclusive, sustainable and citizen-centered.” While Germany’s political parties are at loggerheads over the best ways to regulate AI, the country launched a funding plan for local AI development to catch up with industry leaders.

Incoming EU Act will have an influence on Greece

As part of the European Union (EU), Greece will see its attempt at developing its local AI system influenced by the incoming EU AI Act. Set to be operative sometime in 2024, the Act makes it mandatory for AI developers to clearly label AI-generated content while placing a blanket ban on predictive policing.

“The rules aim to promote the uptake of human-centric and trustworthy AI and protect the health, safety, fundamental rights and democracy from its harmful effects,” read a release from the EU parliament.

Still riding the wave of its sweeping regulation of the digital currency sector, the EU is keen on flexing its regulatory muscles in AI amid calls by concerned technology executives for less restrictive rules.

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