Artificial Intelligence (AI), the foremost cutting-edge technology in the 4th Industrial Revolution, is evolving into a strategically important technology and a key lever for the competitiveness of businesses, as well as for the enhancement of public sector services.
Greek businesses recognize that they need to adapt more quickly to technological changes and sustainable development in order to strengthen their competitiveness and sustainability. However, few invest in AI technologies or plan to do so directly.
According to the study “The Impact of Gen AI on the Greek Economy” conducted by Deloitte and the National Documentation Centre (EKT), AI is projected to contribute by 5.5% to the country’s GDP by 2030, and under specific conditions, it could even reach +9.8%.
From the annual business opinion survey “Pulse of Entrepreneurship” for 2023, conducted by Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), it was found that 12% of businesses already apply AI, 21% plan to apply it soon, while 65% do not consider it necessary for their activities.
Significant differences emerge by business size:
- Large enterprises stand out in AI usage, with 28% applying at least one simple practice (compared to 12% overall).
- Medium and Small enterprises lack understanding of how AI can help them, with 57% and 66% respectively stating that it is not deemed useful for their tasks.
- Medium enterprises show significantly higher skepticism towards AI usage (27% compared to 12% overall).
Among the businesses that have adopted AI or plan to do so,
- 80% believe that these tools will allow the utilization of human resources in more advanced tasks or better customer service.
- 78% state that they will invest in adopting a culture of AI usage in the near future.
- 75% encourage employees to use AI.
- 61% indicate that they will invest resources in AI programs and tools.
- 70% agree that the ethical dimension of AI should determine operational decisions.
The majority of these businesses, at 57%, express enthusiasm for AI usage, but there is a percentage of 41% that expresses skepticism or both.
Unfortunately, businesses in our country have not yet adopted the use of AI technologies. To change this, businesses need to be informed about the possibilities it offers and trained in its use. However, this largely requires public policies that prioritize investment resources, open public data, improve digital skills, and upgrade telecommunications infrastructure.
Our project, EmpowerAI, recognizing this gap, aims to help female entrepreneurs learn about AI technologies that can enhance their business activities and equip them with the necessary skills to effectively use these tools.
