As a “very important sector of the economy that is going to play an even more decisive role in the next day of the economic development of our country”, the president of SYRIZA-PS, Stefanos Kasselakis, characterized the sector represented by the Association of Informatics and Communications of Greece, speaking today at the Digital Economy Forum which he organizes. It was preceded by a working morning with the members of the Board of Directors. of SEPE, in the conference area.

“Such is the effect of digital technology that we are facing a revolutionary transformation, both on an individual and social level, which is why we are talking about the 4th industrial revolution” noted St. Kasselakis, commenting that “like every revolution, this one has its enemies as well as its friends”, as some “demonize technological progress” and others “deify it”.

“So the policies that are behind the use of technology are the ones that determine its sign” he emphasized, adding that “SYRIZA believes that the digital transition can, and should, work in a human-centered way for the benefit of society, sustainable economic development, improving people’s quality of life and work”.

Continuing, criticized the “inefficiency in the absorption of funds” and the “lack of equitable distribution, as there is a clear bias in favor of large and powerful groups”, underlining that “these reveal the real neoliberal face of the New Democracy government”.

In addition, in terms of the institutional framework, he characterized the bill brought last year by the ND government on the use of emerging technologies in the public and private sectors as “a pre-written, legally perforated text, with a multitude of ambiguities and serious shortcomings, which left exposed citizens and workers”, which, as he pointed out, improved “after the key proposals-additions of SYRIZA”.

“The use of artificial intelligence requires the corresponding seriousness. We cannot play with such issues in terms of cheap communication, of the type “Greece is leading the 4th industrial revolution”” he underlined, accusing the government of “superficiality”.

In this context, he presented the main axes of the SYRIZA-PS plan for a “fair digital transition as a pillar of the productive reconstruction of the country”.

– Establishment of a National Committee on Artificial Intelligence and a National Digital Skills Sector Committee, linked to industries and universities.
– Inclusion of small and medium enterprises in financial instruments so that there is social justice and healthy competition.
The country must have a plan so that it does not only consume ready-made digital solutions that are bought from outside and increase the deficit, but it must support the domestic production of products, digital solutions and services.
– Digitization of the Government securely for citizens and transactions, while also incentivizing medium-sized, small and micro-enterprises to incorporate modern, centrally-provided digital solutions.
– Digital skills for all, internet access and equipment to reduce digital exclusion and the creation of new inequalities. In the new age we must not all go together and not leave people behind. The upgrading of the digital skills of the entire population as well as the training of workers who in the near future are at risk of being left out of the production process is essential. Just 2% of over 65s have above average digital skills while 78% of them have never used a computer. How will they stay active in the new era, learn to do their digital transactions safely and efficiently without a comprehensive plan and projects with this targeting.
– Securing the constitutionally protected personal data of citizens and the security of public data against the phenomenon of Data Mining and malicious attacks that lead to digital totalitarianism.
– Cyber ​​security everywhere. New architecture and tools for the state, businesses, citizens with the aim of securing critical systems, data and services. It is necessary to complete the National Critical Infrastructure Monitoring Center and to create local units of this nature in critical State infrastructures that are data banks.
– Tax and insurance incentives for businesses in the sector in order to hire with competitive wages and conditions workers in the Information Technology and Communications sector. The phenomenon of young scientists who gained work experience in Greece leaving abroad because they find better working conditions and better salaries there must be stopped. We cannot bleed other countries with qualified personnel, as a result of which we lose young children as a society, but also lose companies like those participating in SEPE that cannot find suitable potential for their development.
– Absorption of funds for digital transition with efficiency, transparency, well-designed projects that come out on time and complete on time, so that the market can participate inclusively and with a clear corridor to carry out their planning. This requires a good institutional consultation between the state and the market with clear roles and boundaries to achieve the Digital Convergence with Europe.
– Digital infrastructures in broadband, so that everyone has access to high speed internet, modern equipment in public structures and universities so that they have the right tools to run the Digital Transition.

“We don’t have magic solutions. However, we have positions and strategy that go hand in hand with the need for responsible innovation and a human-centered application of digital and technological development that will truly protect the citizen, while at the same time giving him its benefits” emphasized the president of SYRIZA-PS, closing his speech, and pledged to work so that the digital transition is “fair” and to ensure the “sustainable growth” of the sector.