News

On Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6, 2025, the International Conference on the Teaching of Greek as a Second/Foreign Language and Multilingualism was held—the first major scientific event organized by the Hellenic Language Institute (INEL). The conference took place at the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens Hotel and was scientifically coordinated by the Department of Modern Greek Studies of the University of Strasbourg and the Hellenic Language Institute. It was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Culture, and the French Embassy in Greece.

 

As part of the thematic session on “Multilingualism, Translanguaging, Interculturalism, Translation, and Artificial Intelligence”, a significant contribution was made by Professor Ιοannis Emiris, President of the Board and Director General of the Athena Research Center, through his talk titled: “The Role and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Education.”

 

Professor Emiris’ presentation became a focal point of the session, showcasing how artificial intelligence is already transforming—and is expected to further shape—the educational landscape in the near future.

 

A central point of his talk was the need for the Greek language to secure its presence and equitable participation in the global technological environment. Special reference was made to technologies developed at the Athena Research Center, such as Meltemi, the first Large Language Model (LLM) for the Greek language, which was introduced early last year, as well as its newer version, Llama-Krikri, which was recently presented. As Professor Emiris noted, these technologies play a vital role in the digital survival and empowerment of the Greek language, opening new horizons for education, accessibility, and cultural preservation. He emphasized the importance of supporting such initiatives to ensure that Greek remains vibrant, active, and productive within the context of global developments in artificial intelligence.

 

The conference brought together university scholars, researchers, and educators from Greece and abroad, who contributed with presentations and discussions that covered a wide range of topics related to multilingualism and the teaching of the Greek language. The goal was to promote the exchange of knowledge and to highlight innovative educational practices.