Greek Talent Exodus in AI Sector
According to a new report, Greece is ranked second-last among OECD countries in terms of retaining AI talent, trailing behind India. This phenomenon, known as “brain drain,” signals a significant migration of skilled individuals from the nation.
Information and Communication Technology Sector’s Trajectory
Data analysis from 27 countries showed that the ICT sector’s growth averaged at 6.3% from 2013 to 2023, nearly tripling the pace of the overall economy. In 2023 alone, the sector’s growth was reported at 7.6%.
Striking Disparities in Digital Economy Development
While the higher echelon of OECD economies saw ICT growth rates surpass 10%, Greece languished with a modest increase of merely 3.98%, better only than Slovakia. This troubling disparity is indicative of the challenges Greece faces in terms of digital economic growth.
Efforts to Reverse Brain Drain
While there exists a widening gulf between the highest and lowest performing OECD countries in ICT, policy-making aimed at reversing brain drain is crucial. The report highlights that robust policies can play a pivotal role in nurturing human capital and enticing top-tier talents to strengthen their economies.
Gender Gap in AI Workforce
The OECD has also shed light on gender disparities within the AI workforce. Notably in 2023, men were roughly twice as likely as women to be employed in AI-related roles or to report AI skills, highlighting a gender skills gap in global AI labour markets.
Global Competition for AI Talent
Countries with vibrant economies, such as Luxembourg, Canada, Germany, and Japan, managed to attract more AI experts than they lost. Meanwhile, nations like India, Greece, and Lithuania experienced a net outflow of such specialized talents.
Digital Policies to Foster Inclusion
The OECD report delves into various facets of digital policy to tackle issues like privacy, future connectivity, and negative online behaviors. It also notes a 49% increase since 2017 in the rate of young people reporting unhappiness tied to social media usage, with girls experiencing a more pronounced impact than boys.
Key Challenges and Controversies
One of the key challenges related to AI talent retention in Greece is the economic disparity between Greece and other OECD countries. The lower ICT growth rate in Greece compared to leading countries may be due to factors such as reduced investment in technology and innovation, inadequate financial incentives for skilled workers, and the limited scale of the Greek market.
Another challenge is the gender gap within the AI workforce, which is an issue of diversity and inclusion. This imbalance may lead to a lack of varied perspectives in AI development and could perpetuate biases in AI systems.
Advantages of successfully retaining AI talent include increased innovation, bolstering the local tech industry, and potentially leading to new job creation in related sectors. It could also improve the nation’s competitive standing on the global economic stage.
Disadvantages may involve substantial investment required for education, research, and the development of AI technologies, which may strain financial resources, particularly in economies that are still recovering or are less robust.
For more information on digital policies and OECD countries’ efforts, you can visit the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development main website: OECD.