Secondary school teachers in Greece are embarking on an ambitious programme to integrate artificial intelligence into their classrooms, positioning the country at the forefront of educational technology in Europe.
Frontline of Educational AI
Starting next week, staff across 20 schools will undergo intensive training in a specialised academic version of ChatGPT. This initiative follows a landmark agreement between Greece's centre-right government and OpenAI, the US company behind the revolutionary chatbot.
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki defended the pilot programme, stating: "We have to accept that AI does not exist in a parallel universe. It is here." The scheme is scheduled for nationwide expansion in January, making Greece one of the first countries to systematically introduce generative AI in state education.
Mixed Reactions to Classroom AI
While government officials champion the technology's potential for lesson planning, research and personalised tuition, the response from educators and students reveals significant apprehension.
Seventeen-year-old Aristidis Tolos voiced concerns shared by many students: "It terrifies me. They're asking so much of us, and now this. AI doesn't have a soul, it's a machine." His comments came during a demonstration in central Athens protesting education reforms.
The federation of secondary school teachers, Olme, representing 85,000 educators, has expressed consternation about the rapid introduction. Top official Dimitris Aktypis revealed that AI dominated discussions at their recent congress, with many fearing it could lead to "teacherless" classes.
Broader Educational Concerns
Sceptics worry that Greece is becoming a testing ground for technology that might undermine critical thinking. Retired primary school headteacher Dimitris Panayiotokopoulos observed: "After 40 years of teaching, I can honestly say that screens have destroyed children. AI is not a panacea."
Critics also point to fundamental issues within Greece's education system, which receives less than 5% of the national budget. Panayiotokopoulos highlighted inadequate facilities: "In the winter you see kids shivering in classrooms because we are only allowed to put the heating on for a single hour."
Physics teacher Panos Karagiorgos offered a nuanced perspective: "We shouldn't be technophobic. AI can help educators be more effective. But it's problematic when used in a system whose sole aim is to produce pupils who can pass exams."
Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, described Greece's commitment as opening a "new educational chapter" for the country. The company has pledged to ensure "best practices for safe, effective classroom use" are implemented.
As Greece follows Estonia in embracing educational AI, the initiative reflects Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's ambition to transform the country into a technological hub. The government operates on the principle that "if you can't beat the bot, befriend the bot," acknowledging that many students already use AI applications.
With the programme set to expand and older students gaining monitored access to ChatGPT Edu next spring, Greece's educational experiment with artificial intelligence will be closely watched by educators worldwide.
