The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, addressed the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in the labor market while participating in the Quo Vandis AI conference, co-organized by Boussias Events with the Institute for Justice and Development (EPLO) and the Institute for the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and Technology (EPLO).
The minister advocated for an optimistic yet realistic approach to Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing that technological advancements will significantly transform the labor market, creating new needs as well as new opportunities. “The critical challenge is to prepare workers to take advantage of the new opportunities that are emerging,” she emphasized.
Ms. Kerameos noted that the country is completing an extensive skills upgrading program, which has already benefited more than 738,000 citizens, with an emphasis on digital and green skills. She stressed that this effort must continue and be strengthened, with the active participation of businesses, so that the transition to the era of Artificial Intelligence takes place under conditions of social justice, competitiveness, and equal opportunities.
Ms. Kerameos noted that Greece has significant room for improvement in labor productivity and assessed that Artificial Intelligence could be a decisive factor in boosting it.
As she emphasized, leveraging new technologies requires systematic investments in reskilling and upskilling programs, both by the government and the private sector. “Lifelong learning is no longer an option but a necessity. Tomorrow’s workers will need to constantly adapt to new realities and new professional environments,” she noted.
At the same time, she emphasized that the benefits of increased productivity should not be limited to a few, but should be spread throughout society through appropriate policies supporting workers and businesses.
As she noted, the state must prioritize the most vulnerable population groups in terms of access to the labor market, such as the elderly or the long-term unemployed, through targeted initiatives for training, reskilling, and strengthening their digital skills.
In closing, Niki Kerameos emphasized that Artificial Intelligence can be a powerful tool for growth and prosperity, provided it is accompanied by investment in human capital, strong safeguards for workers, and policies that ensure the benefits of technological progress are shared by society as a whole.