Greece taps culture & history to explore innovations in technology

From video games to digital history apps, from computer-assisted design to AI and philosophy, Greeks are exploring how the country’s growing technological prowess can be coupled to Greece’s rich cultural heritage in a cross-disciplinary approach to new possibilities in the information age.

This includes plans for the Pharos Greek AI factory – underpinned by the new Daedalus supercomputer being built east of Athens – which will “harness the power of AI to preserve, enrich, and promote the Greek language and cultural heritage in the digital era”, among other tasks. Or next spring’s Panathenea entrepreneurs conference in Athens that will combine “ecosystems of technology, art and startups.”

Several public and private initiatives exist to develop mobile and computer apps to showcase the country’s ancient sites. While Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has noted how Greece’s intellectual traditions could shape future ethics guidelines for artificial intelligence.

As Greece charts a new path forward following its economic crisis of a decade ago, this blending of culture, innovation and technology should be part of the country’s national mission, argues Greek-American businessman and philanthropist George Behrakis.

“What Greece needs at this moment is a national mission: a long-term strategy to harness the country’s economic, cultural and human capital and channel them into a revitalization that delivers broad-based prosperity at home and renewed influence abroad,” writes Mr. Behrakis in Kathimerini. “One such mission could be to make Greece a global hub where ideas, people and technology collide – drawing on its ancient heritage, strategic location, and human talent to help tackle the defining challenges of this century.”

According to a recent Bloomberg Media survey, foreign investors see technology and culture as two of the main drivers in Greece’s attraction as an investment destination.