At a decisive moment for the country's digital evolution, the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, has unveiled the core pillars of the new legislative framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). This bill is not merely a formal transposition of the European AI Act; it represents a comprehensive national strategy aimed at establishing Greece as an innovation hub in Southeastern Europe, while ensuring that technological progress does not come at the expense of fundamental civil liberties.
Minister Papastergiou emphasized that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a daily reality impacting everything from public administration to healthcare and the judiciary. "Our goal is to create an environment of trust," the Minister stated, adding that innovation can only flourish when citizens feel secure and protected from algorithmic opacity and bias.
Alignment with the European Framework and National Specifics
The proposed legislation focuses on classifying AI systems based on their risk levels, strictly adhering to Brussels' guidelines. However, the Greek approach introduces additional safeguards for AI usage within the public sector. The establishment of a National Oversight Authority will serve as the central body monitoring compliance for both private companies and public entities, ensuring that deployed systems are transparent, explainable, and free from discriminatory biases.
A significant highlight of the bill is the introduction of "regulatory sandboxes." These are controlled environments where startups and research institutions can test their AI solutions under real-world conditions and regulatory supervision before full market release. This measure is considered vital for boosting domestic entrepreneurship, as it significantly reduces the risk and compliance costs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
AI at the Service of the Citizen
One of the most compelling aspects of the bill is the application of AI in public administration. Papastergiou spoke extensively about the digital assistant "mAigov," which already serves thousands of citizens daily. The new framework will allow for the expansion of such tools into more complex areas, such as data analytics for natural disaster prevention and optimizing energy consumption in public infrastructure.
However, the use of AI in decisions affecting citizens will be governed by strict rules. "We will not allow the full automation of decisions that have a significant impact on people's lives without human intervention," the Minister clarified. The "human-in-the-loop" principle remains a central pillar of Greek legislation, ensuring that final accountability always rests with a natural person.
Data Protection and the Ethical Dimension
Protecting personal data remains the primary challenge. The bill stipulates heavy penalties for the unauthorized use of data for training AI models and strengthens the role of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA). Furthermore, the concept of "algorithmic accountability" is introduced, requiring entities to be able to explain how an AI system reached a specific conclusion.
In this context, the government is also establishing an Ethical Advisory Committee, comprising scientists, legal experts, and civil society representatives. This committee will monitor technological advancements and propose legislative adjustments, ensuring that the law remains relevant in a field that evolves at a breakneck pace.
Conclusion and Future Challenges
The success of this new legislation will be judged by its implementation. The challenge is twofold: on one hand, Greece must avoid over-regulation that could stifle innovation, and on the other, it must not leave loopholes that could lead to technology abuse. Minister Papastergiou expressed optimism, noting that Greece possesses the talent and the political will to lead in the AI era, provided it moves with a clear plan and a human-centric approach.
The bill is expected to enter public consultation in the coming weeks, offering all stakeholders the opportunity to submit their proposals. This is a historic opportunity for Greece to lay the foundations for a future where technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around.
