EmTech Europe 2024: AI is the Biggest Challenge and Opportunity for Greece and the Financial System
Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) Chairman and CEO George Zavvos delivered an address at the 1st MIT Technology Review EmTech Europe Conference, held in association with Kathimerini at the Athens Concert Hall.
Mr. Zavvos highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as both a challenge and an opportunity for Greece and the financial system.
“Greece has to face the two most critical challenges, but also opportunities: AI and sustainable development,” Mr. Zavvos said. “We are living in the era of AI and this offers a unique opportunity for our country to make the big leap by adopting new technologies with a huge economically and societal impact.”
Mr. Zavvos stressed that the Greek banking system must play a leading role in supporting major transformations and especially deep tech startups, which are at the forefront of technological innovation. He also pointed to the government’s ambitious development policy, which HDB is helping to implement through its targeted financial instruments.
“The recent multi-crisis acted as an acceleration for the Greek tech ecosystem,” Mr. Zavvos said. “We have gone through a learning curve and restructured the banking system in record time. We consolidated the digitization of the public sector and banks, while we are now inspired by the achievements of the Greek diaspora.”
Mr. Zavvos concluded by underlining the key role of extroversion. He said that HDB is striving to obtain the Pillar Assessment, which will allow the bank to draw directly EU funds for financing deep tech startups.
“Extroversion is crucial for success,” Mr. Zavvos said. “We must reach out to international partners and investors to tap into the vast potential of AI and sustainable development.”
About MIT EmTech Europe
EmTech Europe is an international conference that brings together leading experts and entrepreneurs from Europe, the US, Middle East and Africa, designed to explore the transformative power of technology in shaping our future through the lens of ESG factors.
About HDB
The Hellenic Development Bank is a Greek state-owned development bank that provides financing to businesses, particularly SMEs, in order to promote economic development and job creation.
Read the press release in EL: https://hdb.gr/techniti-noimosyni-apotelei-tin-megalyteri-proklisi-kai-efkairia-gia-tin-ellada-kai-to-chrimatopistotiko-systima/
