The three-day gathering included a key event at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tassoulas, the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, and the Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic, Lina Mendoni. It counted on the participation of Amal Clooney, Human Rights Lawyer, Senior Fellow, Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, and Co-Founder, Clooney Foundation for Justice, and Costantza Sbokou-Constantakopoulou, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.
During the gathering, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors discussed a wide range of issues impacting the Organization's mandate - from the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of education to the role of science and culture in building peace at a time of rapid global change. Participants reflected on how UNESCO's mission - to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, culture, and communication - remains as vital today as it was at the Organization's founding, all the more so as the challenges it addresses continue to evolve.
The event at the Temple of Olympian Zeus featured a panel discussion between Amal Clooney and Costantza Sbokou-Constantakopoulou, entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Culture", co-organized by Economist Enterprise and moderated by The Economist Countries Editor, Alasdair Ross. It explored the rising impacts of AI on the field of culture in a rapidly changing world, and the importance of preserving human creativity, cultural diversity, and shared values across every domain of UNESCO's work.
Together with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, partners and donors, the personalities present underscored a deep commitment to using art, sport, education and culture as vehicles for peace and international dialogue. During the exchanges, they shared their international initiatives and discussed the role they can play in advancing UNESCO's values and mission around the world.
The three-day event was hosted by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Protection and Promotion of Culture, Costantza Sbokou-Constantakopoulou, and supported by the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation.
As artificial intelligence transforms every dimension of the cultural ecosystem, it is essential that we fully understand its implications and ensure that its development and use remain guided by ethical principles and serve the public interest.
Khaled El-EnanyUNESCO Director-General
Artificial Intelligence can safeguard cultural heritage and enrich contemporary artistic expression and creative production, but its development and use must be human-centred, subject to ethical and institutional safeguards, and serve society as a whole. These principles underpin Greece's strategy and cultural policy, as we advocate a framework for innovation that protects cultural diversity, creators' rights and fair remuneration.
Lina MendoniMinister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic
AI has the potential to amplify culture and give voice to traditions that were previously invisible, but it also carries serious challenges. AI is trained on dominant narratives. What the system doesn't see, AI cannot protect. Today, we have a profound responsibility to shape what comes next for the future generations and to that, UNESCO's role is fundamental.
Costantza Sbokou-ConstantakopoulouUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Protection and Promotion of Culture
We have seen prolonged conflicts in multiple parts of the world, with people increasingly divided and operating in echo chambers. Culture is an antidote to that because it reminds us of our shared interests and experiences'. 'We harness AI for good by connecting lawyers to those who need them the most. Our AI tools, built with Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, put legal information into the hands of vulnerable communities and help them access the legal system in their country.
Amal ClooneyHuman Rights Lawyer, Senior Fellow, Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, and Co-Founder, Clooney Foundation for Justice
About UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors are distinguished personalities who place their public profile, experience, and work at the service of the Organization's values and goals. Through their initiatives and international presence, they help raise public awareness and promote UNESCO's work in the fields of education, science, culture, communication, and information.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and bringing people together by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 53 countries and oversees more than 2260 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of over 1500 Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and more than 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 201 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.
"Since wars begin in the minds of people, it is in the minds of people that the defences of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
