In an era defined by the dizzying pace of digital transformation, the political debate over Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Greece is taking on new, deeper dimensions. The recent intervention by Aphrodite Ktena, a Member of Parliament for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and a university professor, is not merely a piece of parliamentary criticism. It represents a structural challenge to the government's strategy. Ms. Ktena argues that the government is "deceiving the people" when it promises to control and regulate AI monopolies, highlighting the gap between declarations of "ethical technology" and the harsh reality of the global market.
The Nature of Monopolies in the Digital Age
Ms. Ktena's argument is rooted in an analysis of power concentration. AI is not a neutral technology; it is a tool that requires immense resources: massive computing power, large-scale datasets (Big Data), and specialized human capital. These resources are concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, primarily based in the US and China. When the Greek government speaks of "regulatory frameworks," Ms. Ktena points out that these frameworks often serve as "legitimizing tools" for corporate interests rather than real barriers to their dominance.
"The development of Artificial Intelligence through the lens of profit can only lead to new forms of exploitation and further concentration of wealth," the MP noted.
This critique touches the heart of European policy, such as the AI Act. While the EU presents itself as a "global regulator," the reality is that Europe lags significantly in technology production, remaining a "digital consumer" of American infrastructure. Ms. Ktena emphasizes that this dependence renders any attempt at national control a dead letter.
Labor Relations and the "Automation" of Exploitation
A central aspect of the intervention concerns the world of work. AI is promoted as a means of increasing productivity, but Ms. Ktena warns that within the current economic structure, this increase does not translate into reduced working hours or higher wages. Instead, it is used to intensify labor, degrade skills, and create a new "digital proletariat" working under conditions of absolute precariousness.
- The use of algorithms for worker surveillance.
- Job displacement without adequate provision for those affected.
- The concentration of the surplus value of technology in the hands of platform owners.
The KKE MP stresses that the government, by promoting "Digital Greece," is essentially rolling out the red carpet for these monopolies to enter critical sectors such as health, education, and public administration, handing over sensitive citizen data to private interests.
The Geopolitical Dimension and National Sovereignty
Beyond economics, there is a geopolitical dimension. AI is the new battlefield for competition between major powers. Ms. Ktena argues that Greece's full alignment with NATO and EU directives in the tech sector does not protect popular interests but entangles the country in dangerous rivalries. The rhetoric of "controlling" monopolies collapses when governments themselves depend on these monopolies for their national security and infrastructure.
Conclusions: An Alternative Development Path
Aphrodite Ktena’s intervention is not just about negation. From her critique emerges the need for a different approach: utilizing science and technology based on popular needs rather than profit. This requires, in her view, a radical change in the ownership status of the means of production and technological infrastructure. As long as AI remains the property of a few, the "control" promised by the government will remain a communicative fraud, a "facade" for the unchecked action of markets.
In closing her speech, Ms. Ktena called on workers and the youth not to be swayed by the sirens of "digital modernization" that seeks to keep them as mere spectators, but to claim technology as a social good. The discussion on Artificial Intelligence in Greece has only just begun, and Ms. Ktena’s voice serves as a reminder that behind codes and algorithms, there are always political choices and class interests.
