Homo Digitalis contributes to two EU consultations on the Data Strategy and high-risk AI systems
Last Friday, July 18th, Homo Digitalis submitted detailed input to two public consultations launched by the European Commission.
The first consultation focused on collecting targeted input from stakeholders regarding the implementation of the AI Act (2024/1689) rules for high-risk AI systems. According to Article 6(5) of the AI Act, the Commission must publish guidelines on the practical implementation of the high-risk classification rules by February 2, 2026, accompanied by a list of practical examples of both high-risk and non-high-risk AI systems. Additionally, Article 96(1)(a) requires the Commission to provide guidelines on the application of obligations and responsibilities for high-risk AI systems, including those across the AI value chain, as defined in Article 25. In its submission, Homo Digitalis provided practical examples of AI systems from Greece and other countries, and highlighted key issues that should be clarified in both the classification and compliance guidelines.
The second consultation addressed the EU Data Strategy. Its three goals are to: 1) boost investment in data technologies and promote data sharing through voluntary or funded initiatives; 2) streamline existing rules and develop data tools to reduce administrative burdens; and 3) shape an international data strategy that ensures safeguards for data transfers outside the EU and encourages data inflows into the EU.
In its response, Homo Digitalis raised strong concerns about potential undermining of personal data protection under the pretext of simplification, flexibility, and competitiveness. The organisation reaffirmed its position that fundamental rights must be strengthened through the use of new technologies and rejected the framing of existing legal frameworks as a barrier to innovation. According to Homo Digitalis, the challenges lie primarily in the lack of enforcement and resources, not the laws themselves.
You can read our full submission for the first consultation here.
We thank the drafting team, Stavrina Chousou, Niki Georgakopoulou, Sofia Antonopoulou, and Eleftherios Chelioudakis, for their valuable contributions.
You can read our full submission for the second consultation here, edited by our Executive Director, Eleftherios Chelioudakis.
Homo Digitalis Participates in the 1st Consultation Forum of the Ministry of Digital Governance on the AI Act
On July 2, 2025, Homo Digitalis participated in the 1st Consultation Forum titled: “The Implementation of the AI Act in Greece”, organized by the Ministry of Digital Governance and Expertise France.
The event was held in the context of the TSI Technical Support action “Integrating AI Technologies in the Greek Public Administration”, funded by the European Commission (SG REFORM). Its aim was for the Ministry to gather valuable information, exchange views with stakeholders, explore best practices, challenges, and prospects, and present its proposal for the implementation of the AI Act and AI governance in the country.
Homo Digitalis was invited to participate in the roundtable discussion of the thematic session “Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector”, which focused on the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI systems by public sector entities in Greece.
During the event, we submitted our written views on the questions raised in the thematic session to the Ministry, distributed copies of our statements to relevant decision-making bodies, and presented them orally as part of our contribution during the roundtable discussion.
We sincerely thank the organizers and speakers of the event for including us and giving us the opportunity to share our positions! Homo Digitalis was represented by Eleftherios Chelioudakis, Co-founder and Executive Director of Homo Digitalis, who also is the editor our statements.
You can view our written positions here (in EL).
Homo Digitalis meets with the National Commissioner for Human Rights (NCHR)
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) welcomed the NGO Homo Digitalis to its offices on May 13, 2025, for a meeting focused on digital rights and artificial intelligence.
Among other topics, the discussion covered recent developments in the field of emerging technologies, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and its implementation, as well as the role of the GNCHR under the Regulation, following its designation as one of the authorities referred to in Article 77 (Powers of Fundamental Rights Monitoring Authorities).
Participants in the meeting included Professor Maria Gavouneli, President of the GNCHR, Elli Varchalama, Second Vice-President of the GNCHR, Dr. Christos Tsevas, Special Scientist, Eleftherios Chelioudakis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Homo Digitalis and Lambrini Gyftokosta, Director of Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence at Homo Digitalis.
We successfully participated at the panel "AI, Ethics & Family" at the event organized by the Leonteios School Network
Another proud moment! Our co-founder Stefanos Vitoratos and partner at Digital Law Experts (DLE) participated earlier the previous week, in the LeonteiosAI- Shaping the world of education Conference held at the iconic Acropolis Museum, as a Leonteios School Athens alumni and a member of the LeonteiosAI Committee!
Stefanos has contributed to the initiative on adopting AI as part of the school’s educational procedure. Heartfelt thanks to the organizers and committee members for assembling such an inspiring and forward-thinking group of professionals.
Homo Digitalis is member of UNESCO's Global AI Ethics & Governance Observatory
We are very pleased to announce that Homo Digitalis has been selected as a member of UNESCO’s Global AI Ethics & Governance Observatory!
Homo Digitalis is the only member of the network from Greece, once again highlighting our strong expertise and experience on these issues since the very first months of our founding, back in 2018!
You can learn more about the organizations participating in the network and its activities here.
Homo Digitalis participates in the panel "AI, Ethics & Family" at the Artificial Intelligence event of the Leonteios School Network
Homo Digitalis is delighted to take part in the panel “AI, Ethics & Family” during the event organized by the Leonteios School Network, titled “LeonteiosAI – Shaping the Future of Learning.”
Stefanos Vitoratos, Co-Founder of Homo Digitalis and Partner at the law firm Digital Law Experts (DLE), is representing us at the event.
Our fellow panelists include representatives from key institutions, including the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Ms. Domna Michailidou.
The event will take place at the Acropolis Museum (Amphitheater “Dimitrios Pandermalis”) on April 8, 2025.
Joint Statement on the Upcoming European Commission Guidelines on Prohibited Practices of the AI Act
We are publishing a joint statement on the upcoming European Commission Guidelines on Prohibited Practices of the AI Act.
On December 11, 2024, the European Commission completed its public consultation on the interpretation of the definition of an AI system and on prohibited AI practices, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 2024/1689 (AI Act). Homo Digitalis participated in the related process.
In the context of the issuance of the expected guidelines by the Commission, concerns remain about potential gaps that could jeopardize fundamental rights. For this reason, and together with more than 25 civil society organizations, academics, and other experts, we are issuing a statement today, urging the AI Office and the European Commission to ensure specific demands.
You can read our joint statement here.
Homo Digitalis Collaborates Once Again with the Digital World Summit Greece
We are delighted to announce that, for yet another year, the Digital World Summit Greece (DWS Greece) and Homo Digitalis are moving forward with a strategic partnership!
The Digital World Summit Greece (DWS Greece) aims to promote the democratic governance of new technologies. As a dialogue platform, it brings together diverse stakeholders and groups, shaping policies from the grassroots level to the top on issues related to artificial intelligence, platforms, the Internet of Things, and broader technological domains.
Homo Digitalis has actively supported DWS Greece since its inception, and it is a great honor for us to continue doing so dynamically. Together, we aim to contribute to the maturation of public discourse in Greece on issues related to digital rights.
You can learn more about the activities of the Digital World Summit Greece on their website, here.
We Publish Our Third Study on the AI Act, Focusing on Article 5 & Prohibited Practices
Today, Homo Digitalis publishes its third study on Regulation 2024/1689, the now widely known AI Act, titled “AI Act: Analysis of the Provisions on Prohibited Practices under Article 5 of Regulation 2024/1689.”
The study’s authors are Sofia Antonopoulou, Lamprini Gyftokosta, Tania Skrapalioti, Eleftherios Chelioudakis, and Stavroula Chousou.
This analysis systematically examines each provision of Article 5 of the AI Act, covering manipulative or deceptive techniques, exploitation of vulnerabilities, social behavior scoring, facial recognition databases, crime prediction, emotion inference, biometric categorization systems, and remote biometric identification.
We provide targeted questions highlighting key aspects of these provisions, identifying “gray areas” where ambiguities, overlaps, or interpretative challenges arise. Additionally, we present concrete examples to support our concerns and formulate specific questions for clarification by the European Commission’s AI Office and national legislators.
Like our previous studies (published in October and November 2024), this study aims to assist the Ministry of Digital Governance in implementing the AI Act in Greece. Through in-depth analysis and well-founded arguments, we seek to enrich public debate and empower more civil society organizations to engage actively.
You can read our study “AI Act: Analysis of the Provisions on Prohibited Practices under Article 5 of Regulation 2024/1689” [here].