Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos inaugurated a new research facility at the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” this week, as Greece steps up efforts to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and tackle the risks posed by the technology.
The 8.5-million-euro bioclimatic building will house the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, supporting research into AI, next-generation networks, and cybersecurity.
During the inauguration, Theodorikakos also announced the establishment of the Institute for Research Integrity, Security and Ethics (IRISE), which will become the eighth institute at Demokritos. The new interdisciplinary body will develop knowledge, tools, and policies aimed at promoting trustworthy AI, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring responsible research practices.
Mitsotakis Calls for Stronger AI Oversight
Greek Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos
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Speaking at the event, Mitsotakis stressed the need for stricter rules governing the safety, transparency, and accountability of AI development, warning that left unchecked, AI could threaten privacy, employment, and democratic stability. He went on to question whether the sector could effectively regulate itself and called on the European Union to update its regulatory framework, including rules governing licensing, oversight, and sanctions.
“When the very creators of these highly advanced algorithms tell us publicly that they do not fully understand how they evolve or how they are capable of self-improvement, then the illusion of self-regulation is no longer a viable option,” Mitsotakis said.
The prime minister also highlighted the potential misuse of AI to spread misinformation and deepfakes, violate privacy, and displace workers. He warned that states and terrorist groups could exploit the technology for harmful purposes. Addressing these challenges, Mitsotakis argued that AI governance requires contributions from scientists, philosophers and thinkers across different disciplines, given the ethical and philosophical questions raised by increasingly advanced systems.
Greece Steps Up Investment in AI
The inauguration and new IRISE Instutute come as Greece expands its research infrastructure and seeks a more active role in AI development. Earlier this week, the government inaugurated DAEDALUS, the new national supercomputer, designed to strengthen computing capacity for scientific research and AI-related applications.