From the EU’s pioneering AI Act to various tech conferences – such as the Global AI Summit, set to be held in Canada later this year – nations are coming together under the commitment to reap the benefits of digital transformation, while seeking to mitigate risks. But how do you integrate emerging technology, such as AI, into the business of government? And how do you do so in a way that facilitates and encourages private sector innovation too? Two very different countries – Greece and UK – offer interesting case-studies as to how to get this right and to enhance efficiency and productivity.
In the UK, the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, backed by £2bn in funding as set out in the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review, will seek to drive the technological overhaul of the state, underscoring improvements from healthcare delivery to furthering the integration of AI-tools into the civil service.
Earlier this year, more than 20,000 UK civil servants took part in a trial which revealed that AI could save nearly 2 weeks’ worth of time per person every year. The Government will seek to build on this, while also cutting down barriers to investment from the private sector to boost the tech industry. As a result, leading global tech firms such as Capgemini have announced billions worth of investments in the UK, creating highly skilled jobs and powering the fourth industrial revolution.
Furthermore, with the speed at which technology is developing, there is the risk that advancements will outweigh the ability for people to use it. To combat this, the UK government has pledged to provide training and upskilling opportunities nationwide, enabling the better application of digital practices.
Meanwhile in Greece, since Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took office in 2019 he has emphasised the importance of modernising public services to simplify user experiences and support tech-driven growth. As a result, numerous services have been digitised through the Gov.gr platform which provides access to 19 ministries and handles over 1.4bn digital transactions, acting as a central hub for citizens and businesses. The Greek government is learning and applying lessons from business – making it simpler for citizens to interact with the state and, as a result, reducing the need for expensive and off-putting bureaucracy.
Moreover, as a medium-sized country, Greece is better positioned to centralise the management of these new systems at ease compared to its neighbours, empowering the government to play a key role in shaping the region’s tech landscape.
Other innovations across Greece include the rollout of an AI-powered cadastre system. This saw the launch of the Personal Citizen Number, making Greece among the first in Europe to adopt AI technologies and streamline services in the property sector. Not only does this improve service delivery and increase transparency, but the embracing of digital transformation attracts investment by positioning Greece as a leader in integrating advanced technology and fostering innovation.
Greece is also seeking to become a“start-up nation”, hoping to see tech contribute towards 10% of the nation’s GDP. Around 33% of venture capital funding for startups operating in Greece was directed to AI companies, highlighting the Government’s welcoming of foreign investment into the sector to drive growth.
Overall, the UK and Greece are guiding the way for the integration of advanced technologies, both into the state but also to foster thriving investment private sector landscapes. Navigating technological change comes with immense challenges, but these nations are demonstrating the capacity to spin obstacles into opportunities.
