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).
Joint Declaration for the Creation of a Human Rights Protection Network in the Development & Use of AI Systems – GAIN
We are proud to announce the official launch of a collaborative and inclusive network, committed to the protection and promotion of Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law in the development and use of Artificial Intelligence systems in Greece.
The network was born out of a multi-stakeholder dialogue initiated during the February 2025 event organized by Homo Digitalis, in light of the implementation of the European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (Regulation 2024/1689).
The text of the Declaration is available here.
The mission of the network is to serve as a space for collaboration, advocacy, legal interventions, and public awareness, ensuring that AI systems in Greece comply with fundamental rights and democratic values, as enshrined in the Greek Constitution, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The working title of the network is Greek Artificial Intelligence Network – GAIN. The founding conference, which will take place within three (3) months, will determine the network’s governance framework, guiding principles, and future direction.
The initiative is coordinated by Homo Digitalis, with the support of the European Artificial Intelligence & Society Fund (EAISF), and is open to any interested organization.
If you are interested, you can fill in the participation form here.
Founding organizations of the network (in alphabetical order):
Ανοιχτό Εργαστήριο Αθήνα | Open Lab Athens
Δίκτυο για τα Δικαιώματα του Παιδιού | Network for Children’s Rights
Ε.Κ.ΠΟΙ.ΖΩ.Ένωση Καταναλωτών «Η Ποιότητα της Ζωής» | Consumers’ Association “The Quality of Life” EKPIZO
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΥΓΕΣ | GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES
Οργανισμός Ανοιχτών Τεχνολογιών – ΕΕΛΛΑΚ | Open Technologies Alliance (GFOSS)
ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΡΙΟ ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΕΥΣΗΣ copwatch.gr
DATAWO
HIAS Greece
Homo Digitalis
I Have Rights
KnowledgeRights21 (National coordinator for Greece and Cyprus)
OmniaTV (iCase Κοιν.Σ.Επ.)
Reporters United
Solomon
Vouliwatch
WHEN Equity Empowerment Change
WWF Greece
Homo Digitalis Speaks Once Again at CPDP!
Homo Digitalis participated once again in the largest international conference on data protection, Computers, Privacy and Data Protection (CPDP), with a talk on the panel “Protecting the Digital Rights of Asylum Seekers and Refugees”, organized by the Centre for Fundamental Rights – Hertie School!
Eleftherios Chelioudakis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Homo Digitalis, represented us as a speaker on the panel, alongside Francesca Palmiotto (IE University), Derya Ozkul (University of Warwick), and Joanna Parkin (EDPS – European Data Protection Supervisor) on Friday, May 23.
Congratulations to the organizing team at the Hertie School and to Ida Reihani for the excellent collaboration!
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.
Article 77 of the AI Act: 6 months after the designation of the Fundamental Rights Authorities
On the first official deadline set by the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act), it required member states to appoint one or more authorities in accordance with Article 77 for the protection of fundamental rights by November 2, 2024.
Today, May 2, 2025 — six months after the deadline — 25 out of the 27 European countries have appointed a total of 210 authorities, a number that seems staggering and at the same time sends a strong message about how seriously these countries take the issue of fundamental rights. But does it reflect reality?
With this brief study, we aim to provide answers to the following questions:
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What is the purpose of Article 77 of the AI Regulation?
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Which authorities have been appointed by the member states to date?
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What powers does the AI Regulation actually grant to these regulatory authorities, and what obligations arise from Article 78 of the AI Regulation regarding the confidentiality of information?
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Who are the four national authorities that have taken on this role, what are their existing and new powers under the AI Regulation?
Through a case study, our Director on Fundamental Rights and AI, Lamprini Gyftokosta, attempts to explore how these authorities will cooperate, while also raising some questions that will undoubtedly concern us over time.
You can read our study here (EL).
We publish our 4th Study on the AI ACT – Comparative overview of the provisions on the rights of affected individuals
Today, April 11, 2025, Homo Digitalis publishes its fourth study on the provisions of Regulation 2024/1689 on Artificial Intelligence (AI), widely known as the AI Act.
This study focuses on the right to explanation and the right of individuals not to be subject to automated decision-making.
Specifically, the use of artificial intelligence systems for making automated decisions is continuously expanding in both the public and private sectors, with significant impacts on the individuals subjected to them.
Therefore, this study examines the legal remedies available to individuals affected by decisions made through the use of AI. The analysis focuses on the right to an explanation of individual decision-making as provided in Article 86 of Regulation 2024/1689. However, since the protection of affected individuals is not limited solely to these provisions, the analysis extends to the right to contest individual decision-making, which—under appropriate interpretation—is based on Article 22 of Regulation 2016/679, known as the GDPR.
The study’s authors are two distinguished legal professionals and volunteer members of Homo Digitalis: Maria-Evangelia Konstantopoulou and Stratygia-Danai Skevi (listed alphabetically).
You can read our 4th study here.
We remind you that we have published three previous studies on Regulation 2024/1689 and its transposition into the Greek legal order: in October (impact assessment on fundamental rights), November (AI governance and competent supervisory authorities), and December (prohibited practices) of 2024, respectively.
This intensive effort aims to contribute constructively to the public dialogue in Greece and at the EU level in the field of artificial intelligence, and it is the result of significant support from the European Artificial Intelligence & Society Fund.
Homo Digitalis Interview on NAFTEMPORIKI TV’s "REVIEW" with Takis Spiliopoulos
Yesterday evening, Homo Digitalis was featured on NAFTEMPORIKI TV’s show “REVIEW”, hosted by journalist Takis Spiliopoulos.
Representing our team, Eleftherios Chelioudakis participated in an engaging discussion about our work in public awareness and policy shaping.
Key Discussion Points
–Targeted commercial advertising and its ethical implications
–Addiction to digital platforms
–AI legislation and its impact on society
NGI TALER – Privacy-Focused Digital Payments
We also discussed NGI – The Next Generation Internet and its open funding calls under NGI TALER, a European Commission co-funded initiative aimed at developing a privacy-focused digital payment platform using open-source principles.
(Interested applicants can apply here)
Other Featured Guests
The episode also included insightful discussions with:
–Antonis Ballis, Assistant Professor of Financial Technology, on cash and digital transactions
–Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, on the future of digital policy
A huge thank you to NAFTEMPORIKI TV, Takis Spiliopoulos, and the entire journalistic team, including Liana Thanou, for the kind invitation and the opportunity to share our work.
Watch the full interview here.
Homo Digitalis Interview on ANT1's show "Your Business Can" with Fai Chrysοchoou
On Sunday, March 9, Homo Digitalis was featured on ANT1’s program “Your Business Can”, hosted by journalist Fai Chrysοchoou.
A huge thank you to the journalist and her team, including Toni Aravadinos, for the kind invitation and their interest in our work!
Key Discussion Points
Representing Homo Digitalis, Eleftherios Chelioudakis spoke about:
–Artificial Intelligence and its regulatory framework
–How legislation acts as a driver of innovation, trust, and entrepreneurship
The Reality of AI & Business Growth
Many non-EU tech companies have historically followed the “Move Fast and Break Things” model, leading to:
–Numerous violations & fines imposed by European regulators
–Social polarization and addiction to social media
–The spread of misinformation
Why Compliance is an Advantage
–Businesses that comply with regulations gain a competitive edge
–Strong legal foundations enable sustainable growth
-Compliance fosters trust, stability, and access to the unified digital market
Ultimately, legislation does not hinder business—it fuels long-term success and strengthens democratic societies!