Greece Ranks Second in Europe for AI Adoption by Businesses, Amazon Report Reveals

In a booming sign for Greece’s post-recovery economy, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled groundbreaking findings from its “Unlocking Greece’s AI Potential 2025” study, positioning the country as Europe’s second-fastest adopter of artificial intelligence (AI) in businesses. Greek startups are leading the charge, driving an explosive 55% year-on-year surge in AI uptake that promises to supercharge national growth.

As Greece’s economy rebounds with renewed vigor, AI is emerging as a game-changing engine for innovation and prosperity. The AWS report highlights that 34% of Greek companies now systematically deploy AI tools – a leap that ranks the nation just behind the European leader. Even more striking: 89% of these adopters report revenue boosts averaging 18%, underscoring AI’s transformative power in creating real economic value.

Startups Spearhead the AI Revolution

At the heart of this surge is Greece’s vibrant startup ecosystem, which is outpacing the continent in AI innovation. Over half (51%) of Greek startups have already integrated AI solutions into their operations, with 27% leveraging cutting-edge applications like multi-model combinations or custom-built systems – surpassing the European average.

This bold approach is yielding tangible results: 55% of startups have launched entirely new AI-powered products or services, reshaping business models across sectors. A standout example is WeatherXM, a Greek trailblazer using AI and blockchain for hyper-local weather forecasts, showcasing the global reach of Hellenic ingenuity.

A Two-Speed Economy: The Warning Bell

Yet, amid the optimism, the report sounds an alarm over a potential “two-speed economy.” While large enterprises boast a 45% adoption rate, their use remains largely superficial: 71% stick to basic tools like off-the-shelf chatbots for efficiency gains, rather than strategic overhauls. Shockingly, only 12% of big firms have a comprehensive AI strategy, compared to 22% of startups.

Without swift action, established giants risk being left in the dust as nimble startups redefine entire industries.

Skills Gap: The Biggest Roadblock

The report pinpoints the digital skills shortage as the top barrier to broader AI rollout, cited by 54% of businesses as a direct innovation killer. To lure top talent, Greek companies are offering 42% higher salaries on average for AI-savvy professionals – one of Europe’s most generous premiums.

The Greek government is stepping up with its 2020 National AI Strategy, prioritizing skills development, R&D investment, and digital infrastructure expansion. Crucially, 78% of businesses say they’d accelerate AI adoption if the public sector leads by example.

Path to Long-Term Global Competitiveness

In summary, Greece is off to a stellar start in the global AI race. To convert this momentum into sustained growth and worldwide edge, experts urge immediate action: bridge the skills divide and urge large firms to embrace advanced, transformative AI. As AWS concludes, with strategic focus, Greece could soon dominate Europe’s AI landscape – fueling jobs, exports, and a brighter economic future for all Greeks.

Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/10/17/greece-ai-adoption-amazon/