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Aris Meletiou graduated from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Technical University of Crete in 1997. He continued his postgraduate studies at the same institution, obtaining his Master’s Degree in Specialized Studies from the Department of Production Engineering and Management in 2001. In 2012, he completed his Ph.D., focusing his research on information technology and the implementation of innovative knowledge management and decision-support systems.
He has extensive and multifaceted professional experience in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), spanning academic, administrative, and operational dimensions. He has participated in the design, implementation, and management of major IT projects, as well as numerous research programs concerning digital technology, information systems, e-government services, data analysis, and process automation.
For more than ten years, he served at the Library of the Technical University of Crete, where he was responsible for developing new digital services, managing critical computing systems, and operating integrated library systems. He introduced innovations in the fields of digital libraries and information organization, significantly contributing to the modernization of academic librarianship.
Subsequently, he served as Head of the Department of Administrative Computing Infrastructure within the Network Operations Center at the Technical University of Crete, where he was responsible for the design, development, and oversight of critical IT infrastructures. Later, he assumed duties as Head of the Directorate of Academic Affairs of the Institution, coordinating procedures that support academic operations and serve the university community.
Since February 2018, he has been serving at the General Secretariat for Information Systems of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence as Head of the General Directorate of Public Administration Information Technology and Communications. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating strategic projects related to the modernization and digital transformation of Public Administration—including G-Cloud and Hybrid G-Cloud, central government software enterprise agreements, as well as the design and technical supervision of critical information systems and IT projects at the national level.
Alongside his administrative career, he has participated in committees, working groups, and conferences concerning digital policies, innovation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data management, and cybersecurity. He has a strong interest in knowledge dissemination and presenting technological developments to professional and scientific communities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world of information and redefining the role of libraries in the 21st century. From smart search systems and automated subject classification to text summarization tools and chatbot-assisted user support, AI offers new opportunities that enhance library operations and facilitate access to knowledge. At the same time, however, it brings significant challenges to the forefront: information reliability, algorithmic biases, copyright issues, and the need to maintain human judgment as a fundamental quality filter.
This lecture explores whether AI functions as a valuable tool for librarians and patrons, or if it poses a potential threat to the way information is produced, organized, and shared. Featuring practical examples from international libraries and a discussion on the ethical and social dimensions of this technology, the talk aims to provide a balanced and comprehensive assessment of how AI can be responsibly leveraged in a space dedicated to knowledge.
