By Fotis Kosmatos*

Article published in “Netweek” Magazine, February 2026

Welcome to “What’s Next”! With this article, we inaugurate a new channel of communication: “What’s Next.” Our mission is to cut through the ephemeral noise and “hype” to focus on the future and the true essence of technology.

The discourse surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Greece is currently defined by a mixture of clamor, apprehension, and hype. Regardless of the label, OECD data paints a sobering picture of the Greek business landscape: with an adoption rate of just 8.9%, Greece trails significantly behind the European average of 20.2%. We are currently operating at speeds that align more closely with emerging Balkan economies than with Europe’s digital frontrunners.

Yet, beneath this statistical lag lies a compelling paradox—and our greatest opportunity. While corporate structures hesitate, our human capital is racing toward AI as end-users. With 83.5% of young Greeks (ages 16-24) already utilizing Generative AI, Greece leads the pack across all 38 OECD nations. This chasm between individual proficiency and corporate implementation is precisely where the future of Greek entrepreneurship and growth will be decided.

This lag is neither accidental nor irrational. It is the byproduct of an economy dominated by SMEs that have historically been hesitant to invest in ICT. The decline of AI adoption in critical sectors like hospitality (dropping from 6.2% in 2024 to 3.4% in 2025) underscores this trend. The obstacle is not a lack of access to tools, but a lack of strategic integration. In isolation, AI is an “inert” technology; it only generates value and becomes a genuine “transformation agent” when it is woven into the fabric of an organization’s processes, automation, and culture.

The workforce is maturing at an accelerated pace. Now, strategic leadership must follow suit. For the modern enterprise, the question is no longer if they should adopt AI, but how to build an ecosystem where Cloud, Data, AI, and Cybersecurity provide the essential “grounding” for innovation.

In Greece, technology should no longer be viewed as a “necessary evil” for modernization, but as a force multiplier for human potential.

Drawing on our technical expertise and guided by a commitment to business growth, we aim to use this column to spark a dialogue on the merits of emerging technologies. From autonomous AI systems to cybersecurity and the carbon footprint of production, the horizon is vast—but it is not daunting for those who maintain a clear view of their goals and opportunities.

Today, the true advantage belongs not to the fastest runner, but to the one with the firmest footing. We invite you to look past the “noise” of the headlines and join us in architecting the day after.

We are here to discuss and build that future, starting today.

*Fotis Kosmatos is the CEO of Blend Technologies.