Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Greece is evolving from an experimental field into a central pillar of business strategy. According to the new study "Unlocking Greece’s AI Potential 2026," conducted by Strand Partners on behalf of Amazon Web Services (AWS), 47% of Greek businesses now report using AI tools, a significant increase from 34% the previous year.
This 38% year-on-year growth places Greece 4th in Europe in terms of adoption rate, significantly outpacing the European average of 29%. This shift is also reflected in management priorities, with 63% of businesses ranking AI as a high priority and 72% integrating it into their overall strategy.
The Gap Between Adoption and Expertise
Despite the rapid spread, the study highlights a significant challenge: 61% of users remain at a basic level, utilizing AI for everyday tasks and content production. Only 17% have reached an advanced stage, leveraging customized systems or technologies such as agentic AI and physical AI.
The primary obstacles to deeper technology integration include:
- Skill shortages (48%)
- Limited financial resources (36%)
- Lack of readiness for next-gen applications (only 19% feel prepared)
Startups and Cloud Infrastructure
Startups are leading the charge, with 73% already utilizing AI. However, the study warns of a potential "brain drain," as 41% of founders are considering moving outside of Europe in search of better capital access and growth conditions.
This growth is directly linked to the rise of cloud computing, with adoption increasing from 49% to 60% within a year. AWS has strengthened its local presence with the AWS Local Zone in Athens, which became generally available in July 2026, offering low latency and local data processing.
Public Sentiment
Technology acceptance extends to the general public. 29% of Greek citizens use AI tools daily, while 82% claim familiarity with the technology. Notably, 47% view the use of AI in the public sector positively, expecting improvements in their daily lives.
