OpenAI for Greece: Empowering Education and Innovation

September marked an exciting milestone for Greece’s technology and education landscape. The launch of OpenAI for Greece marked a ground-breaking partnership between OpenAI, the Government of the Hellenic Republic, the Onassis Foundation, and Endeavor Greece. This initiative will bring world-class AI tools into secondary education and accelerate innovation across the country’s fast-growing start-up ecosystem.

Why Greece, Why Now

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a foundational technology with the potential to transform how people learn, create, and drive economic growth. Greece is already embracing this opportunity:

• Over the past year, the number of weekly active ChatGPT users in Greece has increased seven-fold.

• The government has developed a comprehensive national AI blueprint, spanning innovation and entrepreneurship, education and research, and integration of AI in public services.

Building on this momentum, the ‘OpenAI for Greece’ Memorandum of Understanding was signed today at the Hellenic Expo by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, senior Greek ministers, and key partners from OpenAI and the Onassis Foundation.

Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, captured the spirit of the moment:

“From Plato’s Academy to Aristotle’s Lyceum—Greece is the historical birthplace of western education. Today, with millions of Greeks using ChatGPT on a regular basis, the country is once again showing its dedication to learning and ideas. Recognizing that nearly 60% of these users are under the age of 35, the Greek Government is opening a new educational chapter that prepares its people to seize the economic opportunities of the Intelligence Age.”

Bringing AI into Classrooms

Education lies at the heart of this partnership. Greece will be among the first nations to pioneer ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT built specifically for academic institutions. Designed for large-scale educational use, ChatGPT Edu provides:

• Access to OpenAI’s latest AI models

• Enterprise-grade security and GDPR compliance

• Tools to boost AI literacy and responsible integration

This academic year, Greece will launch a pilot program involving upper-secondary teachers from diverse regions and socio-economic backgrounds. The first phase will focus on:

• AI literacy training for teachers

• Helping educators integrate AI tools into their daily work

• Supporting productivity and responsible use

The Onassis Foundation, alongside local partners such as The Tipping Point, will lead the rollout, coordinating training, onboarding teachers, and ensuring effective classroom adoption. A joint task force from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education, and the Onassis Foundation will oversee the pilot, with plans to scale across the entire education system once initial goals are met.

This effort aligns with OpenAI’s ongoing improvements to support learning, such as study mode and early adoption of ChatGPT Edu by leading global institutions like Harvard University and Oxford University.

Fuelling the Next Wave of Greek AI Start-ups

Education is only one part of Greece’s AI future. To harness the country’s exceptional STEM talent, OpenAI and Endeavor Greece are launching the Greek AI Accelerator Program.

Despite having one of Europe’s highest percentages of STEM graduates, many skilled professionals leave Greece for opportunities abroad. The accelerator aims to reverse this trend by helping founders build successful AI-driven companies at home.

Key elements of the program include:

• Access to OpenAI technology and credits

• Technical mentorship from OpenAI engineers and global experts

• Workshops on scaling, compliance, and safety-by-design

• International exposure, including visits to OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters and introductions to leading AI investors

The accelerator will prioritize startups working in education, public services, healthcare, and climate solutions, sectors vital to Greece’s long-term priorities. Showcase events like the Thessaloniki International Fair and a published impact report will help guide future policy and investment.

Part of a Global Movement

OpenAI for Greece is part of OpenAI for Countries, a broader initiative to help governments and communities leverage AI responsibly and effectively. Similar efforts include:

• Stargate Norway for sovereign AI infrastructure powered by renewable energy

• An MOU with the UK Government to accelerate AI adoption

• A partnership with Estonia to bring ChatGPT into secondary schools

Greece’s bold move reinforces its role as a global leader in technology and education, building on a legacy of innovation that dates back to ancient times.

With OpenAI for Greece, the nation is setting an example of how AI can power education, inspire entrepreneurs, and strengthen the economy, while honouring its deep roots as a centre of learning and ideas.

As this partnership unfolds, Greece is not just embracing the future of AI; it’s shaping it.