Greece is preparing a comprehensive constitutional reform package whose central aim is to legally define the social purpose of artificial intelligence (AI). Under the proposed amendment, AI would be required to serve human freedom and the common good, while measures would be introduced to mitigate risks and fully harness benefits.
Prime Minister Kiriákosz Micotákisz outlined the constitutional amendment proposals on Thursday to representatives of the ruling conservative party. He argued the changes are necessary to protect future generations and to address the risks AI poses to democratic governance and human rights. "It is extremely important that during the constitutional revision we take care of the world in which our children will live," Micotákisz said.
The draft explicitly states that AI must serve individual liberty and societal welfare, and that constitutional safeguards should be put in place. Evripidisz Sztilianidisz, who is professionally and parlamentarily responsible for the reform process, told the state radio that the changes will act as long-term constitutional guarantees for AI deployment. "The protection and appropriate use of artificial intelligence affects every human right, so we must pay special attention to it," he said.
The AI provisions are one part of a broader package that contains several dozen amendments. The proposal includes:
- raising the period of compulsory schooling from nine to eleven years;
- expanding mail-in voting;
- prohibiting retroactive taxation.
The constitutional amendment will require multiple successive parliamentary votes and the backing of parties across the aisle.
Since the financial crisis years, Greece has been an active adopter of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Last month the government unveiled plans to restrict social media use for those under 16, and it is urging the European Union to consider similar rules.
Greek constitutional lawyers argue that AI needs to be legally bound to serve democracy because the power of large technology platforms now largely sits beyond effective social control. The current reform package aims to strengthen constitutional protections against such imbalances.
Cover image credit: Salah Malkawi/Getty Images
