Government plans new super-ministry for Research, Technology–Mitsotakis: “Greece can lead in AI”

A new narrative for an innovation-driven Greece

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented an ambitious plan for the establishment of a new Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, speaking at the Forbes 30 under 30 presentation at the Athens Concert Hall.

With a clear message that “Greece can be at the forefront of technological developments”, he described a framework for what a third government term would look like in the field of innovation and digital transformation.

The ministry aims to unify a currently fragmented ecosystem and create a modern structure where research, academia and the market interact productively — a gap, he admitted, that has hindered Greece for decades.

Education, research and the market under one roof

Mitsotakis highlighted the need for a new institutional architecture in which:

• academic research links directly with industry,
• entrepreneurship is taught early — even in schools,
• young people gain access to real opportunities.

He also announced new tax incentives for employees under 25, including zero income tax up to €20,000, stressing that such measures encourage young people to enter the job market earlier.

Greece as an emerging AI hub

The Prime Minister spoke with optimism about the rapid rise of Greek startups in the AI sector, pointing out that:

• the state already uses AI in healthcare, civil protection and defence,
• Greece plans to invest heavily in computing infrastructure and cloud capacity,
• the country can gain strategic European influence through technological leadership.

Yet he stressed that AI also brings significant risks — from labour-market disruption to misinformation and the manipulation of electoral processes. “Democracies must shield themselves,” he warned.

The European dimension: a market still divided

Mitsotakis criticised the EU for failing to operate as a truly unified market, arguing that despite its legal framework, it remains “fragmented in practice.” He underscored the need for:

• a single European legal framework for businesses,
• capital-market integration,
• stronger EU competitiveness in comparison to the US.

Greece, he noted, cannot rely solely on its small domestic market, which should instead function as a “testing ground” for companies aiming at European expansion.

Youth at the centre of the strategy

The discussion featured Panos Karagiannis (Moveo.AI), Katerina Santikou (Santikos Collection) and Kimon-Aristotelis Vogt (Sporo Health) — three Greeks previously listed in Forbes 30 under 30.

Mitsotakis called on young Greeks to create their own success stories, stressing that the country is at a crucial moment where innovation and technology can redefine its future.

Source: pagenews.gr