The European Public Law Organization (EPLO) hosted a high-level roundtable titled “Advancing Digital Transformation in the Public Administration in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” as part of the AI4Gov X Project. The event brought together experts, academics, and representatives of key public institutions to discuss strategies, challenges, and best practices for integrating AI into public sector operations.
The AI4Gov X project—now in the second year of a four year programme and involving more than 40 partners across Europe—is one of the most ambitious initiatives currently underway in the field of digital governance. This roundtable marked the first AI4Gov X event in Greece, offering a platform for dialogue on the future of digital transformation and capacity building in the public administration.
Participants included high-level officials from the Special Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, National School for Public Administration and Local Government, Institute of Public Administration, Department for Education and Training of the Hellenic Parliament, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Legal Council of the State, and the Department of Public Health Policy of the University of West Attica.
Key Themes and Insights
Dr. Gianluca Misuraca, Scientific Director of AI4Gov X, highlighted that lack of skills remains the primary barrier to effective AI governance. He outlined the project’s ambition to establish a European knowledge hub and a global network of excellence on AI for the public sector, data spaces, and digital governance transformation. As part of this effort, the project will develop a new Master’s Program in AI, Governance Innovation and Digital Transformation, expected to launch in autumn 2026, which aims to train 800 students over the course of the project. This will be complemented by specialized training modules designed to support digital upskilling for civil servants and public sector professionals.
Dr. Fotis Fitsilis, EPLO’s AI specialist and parliamentary researcher at the Hellenic Parliament, discussed AI skills gaps in public administration and how they can be addressed through the AI4Gov-X project under the Greece 2.0 framework and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Prof. Yannis Charalabidis of the University of the Aegean, also a partner of the AI4Gov X project, presented, for the first time, a proposed manifesto on AI-enabled governance and its potential applications for shaping the future of the public sector. Ms. Eleni Kefali of the EPLO Institute for Justice and Growth emphasized the need for a "smart state" that is also a just state.
Discussions also highlighted Greece’s significant progress in digitalization through the gov.gr initiative, which has streamlined administrative procedures, reduced costs, and improved accessibility for citizens. The speakers noted that the next phase of digital transformation will focus on integrating AI into logic and decision making processes, a shift that requires a robust legal and institutional framework, as well as substantial capacity building for public sector staff. Training in technical literacy and fundamental rights was emphasized as essential to mitigating risks such as algorithmic bias and potential impacts on citizens’ rights.
Looking Ahead
The roundtable concluded with a multi stakeholder discussion on training needs, institutional cooperation, and the practical steps required to support Greece’s digital transformation agenda. EPLO will continue to contribute to the AI4Gov X project through research, training, and policy engagement.
For more information about the AI4Gov X Project, visit: https://ai4gov-x.eu/
