At an open-air summit in Athens, Demis Hassabis, head of Google’s DeepMind and Nobel chemistry laureate, argued that the skill most needed in the years ahead will be the ability to keep learning. He described education as moving into a period where adaptability matters more than fixed knowledge, because the speed of artificial intelligence research is shortening the lifespan of expertise.

Hassabis said future workers will have to treat learning as a constant process, not a stage that ends with graduation. He pointed to rapid advances in computing and biology as examples of how quickly fields now change once AI tools enter the picture.

Outlook on technology

The DeepMind chief warned that artificial general intelligence may not be far away. In his view, it could emerge within a decade, carrying a weight of opportunity and risk. He described its potential impact as larger and faster than the industrial revolution, a shift that could deliver breakthroughs in medicine, clean energy, and space exploration.

Even so, he stressed that powerful models must be tested carefully before being widely deployed. The practice of pushing products out quickly, common in earlier technology waves, should not guide the release of systems capable of influencing economies and societies on a global scale.

Prime minister’s caution

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who shared the stage at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, said governments will struggle to keep pace with corporate growth unless they adopt a more active role. He warned that when the benefits of technology are concentrated among a small set of companies, public confidence erodes. He tied the issue to social stability, saying communities won’t support AI unless they see its value in everyday life.

Mitsotakis pointed to Greece’s efforts to build an “AI factory” around a new supercomputer in Lavrio. He presented the project as part of a wider European push to turn regulation and research into competitive advantages, while reducing reliance on U.S. and Chinese platforms.

Education and jobs

Both speakers returned repeatedly to the theme of skills. Hassabis said that in addition to traditional training in science and mathematics, students should learn how to monitor their own progress and adjust their methods. He argued that the most valuable opportunities often appear where two fields overlap, and that AI can serve as a tutor to help learners explore those connections.

Mitsotakis said the challenge for governments is to match school systems with shifting labor markets. He noted that Greece is mainly a service economy, which may delay some of the disruption already visible in manufacturing-heavy nations. But he cautioned that job losses are unavoidable, including in sectors long thought resistant to automation.

Strains on democracy

The prime minister voiced concern that misinformation powered by AI could undermine elections. He mentioned deepfakes as a direct threat to public trust and said Europe may need stricter rules on content distribution. He also highlighted risks to mental health among teenagers exposed to endless scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds.

Hassabis agreed that lessons from social media should inform current choices. He suggested AI might help by filtering information in ways that broaden debate instead of narrowing it. He described a future where personal assistants act in the interest of individual users, steering them toward content that supports healthier dialogue.

The question of abundance

Discussion also touched on the idea that AI could usher in an era of radical abundance. Hassabis said research in protein science, energy, and material design already shows how quickly knowledge is expanding. He argued that the technology could open access to vast resources, but he added that how wealth is shared will depend on governments and economic policy, not algorithms.

Mitsotakis drew parallels with earlier industrial shifts, warning that if productivity gains are captured only by large firms, pension systems and social programs will face heavy strain. He said policymakers must prepare for a period of disruption that could arrive faster than many expect.

Greece’s role

The Athens event also highlighted the country’s ambition to build a regional hub for technology. Mitsotakis praised the growth of local startups and said incentives, venture capital, and government adoption of AI in public services would be central to maintaining momentum.

Hassabis, whose family has roots in Cyprus, said Europe needs to remain at the frontier of AI research if it wants influence in setting ethical and technical standards. He called Greece’s combination of history and new infrastructure a symbolic setting for conversations on the future of technology.

Preparing for the next era

The dialogue closed on a shared message: societies will need citizens who can adapt and learn throughout their lives. For Hassabis, this adaptability is the foundation for navigating a future shaped by artificial intelligence. For Mitsotakis, the task is making sure those changes strengthen democratic values rather than weaken them.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.

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