On the global map of technology and artificial intelligence, two figures with a Greek connection have stood out in recent years within one of the most powerful technology organizations on the planet: Google.
The first is Demis Hassabis, one of the most important scientists in the field of artificial intelligence. With Greek Cypriot roots on his father’s side, Hassabis is the co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, Google’s leading AI research organization.
The work of his team has radically changed the way we understand the capabilities of AI. Systems such as AlphaGo, which defeated top players in the ancient game of Go, and AlphaFold, which helped solve one of biology’s greatest scientific challenges by predicting the structure of proteins, have already made history. For this contribution, Hassabis was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The second prominent presence is Peggy Antonakou, one of the most experienced executives in the technology industry in Europe. She serves as Regional General Manager of Google for Southeast Europe, a role she has held since 2019.
Antonakou has built a long career in the technology sector. Before joining Google, she served for eight years as CEO of Microsoft in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. She also previously held senior roles at Dell and had earlier professional experience with General Motors and Opel Bank in Europe and the United States.
In today’s world, where artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure increasingly shape the daily life of societies, people in such positions play a decisive role in technological developments.
The presence of two people with a Greek connection in an organization such as Google shows that the Greek footprint in the international technology arena is stronger than many assume.
In a world where technology is changing at unprecedented speed, it is important to know who stands on the front line of these developments. And in this case, both names carry a clear Greek connection.