Artificial Intelligence is radically transforming economy and is creating a new landscape for businesses, growth and digital transformation.
The discussion surrounding digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Greece is gaining increasing prominence in business and political discourse, with the Deputy Minister of Development and Minister responsible for Research and Innovation Stavros Kalafatis highlighting the role of AI as a catalyst for a new industrial era that is radically transforming the economy, strengthening the competitiveness of businesses and accelerates growth, as part of a seminar organized by the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce on business transformation and new opportunities for innovation in Greece.
Artificial Intelligence is now at the heart of business transformation, creating new opportunities for automation, process optimization, boosting productivity, and developing innovative solutions, according to the key conclusion of today’s evening event hosted by the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce on the topic “Business Transformation Stories v.5 | Digital Transformation with the Help of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Small Stock Exchange.
New Industrial Revolution
According to the chamber’s social media posts, the Deputy Minister of Development responsible for Research and Innovation, Stavros Kalafatis, emphasized that “Artificial Intelligence represents a new industrial revolution—perhaps even more impactful than those that came before. The changes it brings are profound, rapid, and affect every sector of the economy and society. This is why constant vigilance, adaptability, and a willingness to learn continuously are required.”
The event was opened by the Head of Innovative Entrepreneurship Development at NBG Business Seeds of the National Bank of Greece, Dr. Spyros Arsenis, and the General Director of the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce, Ilias Spyrtounias, who highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence as a driver of innovation, growth, and business transformation.
In his opening remarks, the president of the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce, Ioannis Sarakakis, stated that “Artificial Intelligence is not just a matter of technology. It is a matter of strategy, leadership, education, and collaboration. That is where Greece’s competitiveness will be determined in the coming years.” For his part, Vasilis Karkatzounis, Special Secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, noted that “in the world of Artificial Intelligence, competitiveness will be determined not only by the rules we set, but also by the speed with which we act and enable businesses to innovate and grow.”
The discussion
In the discussion titled “Transforming the Workplace with AI,” EY Greece Partner and Head of Human Capital Advisory Services, Eftychia Kaselaki, emphasized that “the greatest challenge of Artificial Intelligence is the scale and speed of change,” noting that this new reality requires adaptation not only from employees but also from senior business executives.
The CEO and President of AbbVie Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Labrina Barbetaki, stated that in the healthcare sector, “Artificial Intelligence does not merely promise greater efficiency or faster processes. It has the potential to accelerate research, improve patient care, and, ultimately, improve and save human lives.”
Dimitris Gerogiannis, co-founder and co-CEO of Humanbound, noted that “the real challenge is to maintain our own critical thinking, our ability to evaluate, and our human judgment,” despite the ease with which technology facilitates decision-making.
Elena Barla, CEO and co-founder of Future brAIn, emphasized that “one of the biggest obstacles to digital transformation is not technology. It is the lack of trust and overly hierarchical structures that slow down decision-making,” adding that the issue is primarily a matter of culture.
In the session “Transforming Business with AI,” Dr. Spyros Arsenis noted that banks have been utilizing artificial intelligence technologies for about 15 years, noting that the technology has proven particularly effective in processing large volumes of information and synthesizing data to support decision-making.
Fotis Panagiotopoulos, Head of Strategy & Consulting at Accenture, argued that “the use of AI is no longer simply an option or a competitive advantage, but increasingly a business necessity for those who want to meet market demands.”
Intale’s CEO, Grigoris Gousis, highlighted training and rapid adaptation to technological developments as key challenges, while the CEO of Voice Logica AI, Apostolos Ioakeim, emphasized that “true transformation is not just about technology. It’s about culture, processes, and ways of thinking.”
According to the chamber’s posts, participants agreed that leveraging artificial intelligence, developing new skills, and strengthening synergies between businesses and startups are creating new opportunities for the Greek business ecosystem.
