ATHENS – Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday expressed support for action to promote “open science” while ensuring respect for international rules and human rights, in a video-recorded message at the online event “UNESCO: Open Science – Artificial Intelligence. New Horizons, Visions & Boundaries”.

“Respecting international rules and human rights, we need to embrace scientific and technological achievements. At the same time, we have a duty to ensure that they always work for the benefit of society as a whole,” he said.

He also congratulated the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation” and the “ELPIDA” Association of Friends of Children with Cancer for their highly commendable initiative.

“The transformation of science into Open Science is taking place at the global level. Open Science will no longer be the exclusive privilege and benefit for the scientific community. It will become a field of social inclusion. In this way, citizens and communities will be able to co-shape research priorities, to play an active role in its development,” Dendias said.

The importance of this development was demonstrated by the pandemic, he added, which had highlighted the importance of open scientific practices for the advancement of research and the strengthening of links between science and society.

“In this context, the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science encourages the adoption of open scientific practices. At the same time, Open Science is a key priority of the European Union. It is recognised as a critical accelerator in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Dendias noted.

The minister pointed out that scientific research has led, among other things, to a rapid increase in Artificial Intelligence applications.

“The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is a response to the new challenges that emerge. It emphasises the benefits that artificial intelligence offers to society and seeks to reduce the risks involved,” he said.

Dendias also referred to the use of new technologies by the foreign ministry and the improvement in the services delivered to citizens.