Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on a trade mission to San Francisco, confessed that he doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to artificial intelligence. He admitted that while Greece is making strides in digital infrastructure, the rapid advancements in AI are leaving policymakers behind.

During his visit, Mitsotakis spoke candidly about the challenges posed by AI, including the upcoming ban on social media for children under 15, which he suggested might be too late. He warned that the digital companions provided by AI chatbots could fundamentally alter how children grow up, raising questions about the impact on their social development.

However, Mitsotakis was optimistic about the potential benefits of AI in education, citing a pilot program with OpenAI that aims to reduce teachers' administrative work. He cautioned, however, that AI should not replace the fundamental skills that students learn in the classroom.

The prime minister also addressed the ethical concerns surrounding AI, including job displacement and the need for smarter regulation. He highlighted the importance of listening to those who are building these models, acknowledging that the pace of AI development is unprecedented.

Mitsotakis stressed the need for a global conversation on AI, noting that while Greece is courting data centers, it is an outlier in a world increasingly resistant to them due to environmental concerns. He remained optimistic, seeing opportunities for Greece to attract tech talent and investment in the face of tougher visa policies elsewhere.