Greece, the birthplace of democracy, is preparing sweeping constitutional reforms that would mandate artificial intelligence to serve human society and protect individual freedoms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the proposed revisions on Thursday, emphasizing the need to safeguard future generations from AI's potential risks to democratic governance and humanity.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Amendment
The proposed changes include a provision stating: "Artificial intelligence shall serve the freedom of the individual and the prosperity of society, ensuring that risks are mitigated and that the advantages it provides are fully realized." This amendment is part of a broader package of reforms that also includes expanding postal voting, increasing mandatory schooling from nine to 11 years, and banning retroactive taxation.
Prime Minister's Vision
Mitsotakis told lawmakers from his governing center-right party: "It's very important that, in this process of constitutional revision, we take care of the world that will host our children." He highlighted that challenges such as the climate crisis, water resource protection, renewable energy, and especially AI dominate today's agenda. "This great revolution must also be constitutionally placed at the service of individual freedom and social well-being," he added.
Greece's Embrace of Technology
Since emerging from a major financial crisis eight years ago, Greece has been an eager adopter of AI and modern technology. The country has upgraded border surveillance, rebuilt its tax administration, and now offers a powerful government services platform that manages everything from obtaining a divorce to buying tickets for domestic soccer matches. Last month, the government unveiled plans for a full social media ban for children under 16, aiming to pressure the European Union to adopt similar rules.
Expert Opinions
Some constitutional experts in Greece argue that AI must be legally required to serve democracy, as major private technology platforms now hold enough data and power to operate beyond effective public oversight. Evripidis Stylianidis, the government's lead lawmaker on the constitutional revision, said the changes would serve as a long-term guardrail on AI use. "Many issues today are defined at the international level," he told state radio. "The protection and proper use of artificial intelligence touches all human rights in daily life and is something that must concern us in the constitutional revision."
Revision Process
The lengthy revision process involves a series of votes by two successive parliaments and typically requires some cross-party support. The proposed changes are seen as a proactive step to ensure that AI development aligns with democratic values and human rights.
