Greece Debates National AI Act Implementation Framework
- •Greece begins parliamentary debate on national legislation to implement the European Union's AI Act framework.
- •The framework employs a risk-based classification system for AI, imposing stricter oversight on high-impact applications.
- •New provisions include an AI Regulatory Sandbox for business testing and a registry for public sector systems.
The Greek parliamentary committee has initiated debates on a national bill designed to implement the European Union's AI Act. Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou stated that the framework aims to balance the protection of fundamental citizen rights with the promotion of technological innovation across essential sectors, including healthcare, employment, education, and public administration. According to the minister, the primary objective is to establish institutional trust as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.
The national framework adopts the risk-based approach mandated by the European Union, which classifies AI systems based on their potential impact on health, safety, and fundamental rights. Under this system, high-risk applications—such as those used for hiring decisions or selecting recipients for public benefits—must strictly adhere to transparency, reliability, and human oversight requirements. Conversely, specific practices deemed dangerous, such as social scoring and certain forms of biometric surveillance, are prohibited entirely.
For citizens, the new legislation mandates greater transparency, requiring companies to inform individuals when they are interacting with AI systems like customer service chatbots. For businesses, the bill provides a stable regulatory environment across the European market, reducing legal uncertainty and encouraging investment. A cornerstone of this initiative is the AI Regulatory Sandbox, a controlled testing environment that allows start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises to trial innovative applications under real-world conditions with government support before commercial launch.
To ensure the effective application of these rules, the Greek bill designates specific supervisory authorities and establishes a Coordination and Expertise Centre. Furthermore, the government plans to create a Unified Registry of Public Artificial Intelligence Systems alongside a single mechanism for citizens to file complaints regarding AI use. This regulatory framework is integrated into Greece's broader digital strategy, which includes promoting public AI literacy through initiatives like the 'Artificial Intelligence Guide for Everyone,' as well as providing increased support for research and development within the public and private sectors.