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Greece in the age of VOICE AI: Trust or Hesitation?

Posted on September 2, 2025September 2, 2025 by focusbari_user

New Pan-Hellenic Survey by Focus Bari:

Focus Bari, as part of its strategy to monitor Greeks’ attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence and new technologies over time, conducted a nationwide survey on behalf of Yuboto on Voice AI and the use of AI tools.
The results of the survey were presented at the “AIVOLUTION” conference, as part of a special event on VOICE AI and its developments, at Technopolis in Gazi, with the participation of a large number of companies. More specifically, the findings reveal:

⦁ Artificial Intelligence – Skepticism yes, use no: The social image of AI remains unclear, but 3 out of 5 Greeks say they use at least one AI tool.

⦁ AI & Career: Growing adoption and recognition of AI as a tool for professional development, with CHATGPT dominating, although many express concern about the possibility of their jobs being replaced by AI.

⦁ Voice AI = IVR? For most Greeks, their first contact with Voice AI is mainly through telephone service, but many still confuse it with the old, automated IVR.

⦁ Division in telephone conversations with VOICE AI: The public is divided into
three equal parts (positive – conditional – negative) regarding the comfort of communicating with a Voice AI instead of a human.

⦁ Acceptance out of necessity, not desire: Citizens are willing to adopt Voice AI if it proves to be fast, accurate, and understandable—
effectiveness is the key to its success.

See the whole survey presentation here

Focus Bari at the AIVolution Conference

Posted on July 24, 2025December 5, 2025 by focusbari_user

Focus Bari at the AIVolution Conference

Artificial Intelligence Found Its Voice at Aivolution: an evening dedicated to AI Voice Agents. Despite the summer heat, nearly 300 people — 200 attending in person and more than 100 online — joined the Aivolution event at Innovathens in Technopolis, an evening dedicated exclusively to AI Chat and Voice Agents. The event was an initiative of Voice Logica, highlighting how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the future of communication. The evening opened with Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari, who presented new research on how Greeks perceive interacting with a Voice Agent over the phone. Her key findings revealed that:

The Greek public is evenly divided into three groups regarding their openness toward AI-driven phone conversations: the positive, the negative, and the “cautiously neutral.”
Nevertheless, more than half of Greeks are already using AI tools, whether they fully realize it or not.
Additionally, over one in two expect that voice-based AI will continue to evolve and will be able to handle telephone dialogues effectively, at least in simple scenarios.

See Xenia Kourtoglou’s full presentation here.

Summer “low-key” for 1 in 4 Greeks – but expectations for relaxation and meaning remain bright!

Posted on July 16, 2025 by focusbari_user

Summer “low-key” for 1 in 4 Greeks –

but expectations for relaxation and meaning remain bright!

– New Pan-Hellenic Summer Survey by Focus Bari –

Focus Bari’s new Pan-Hellenic Survey, with data from YOUGOV Profiles, sheds light on the habits, choices and trends that characterize this summer.More specifically:

⦁ 1 in 4 Greeks will not go on holiday this year, mainly due to uncertainty and financial constraints.

⦁ Clean beaches, a calm atmosphere and affordable prices are the main selection criteria, while natural beauty and local gastronomy play a catalytic role.

⦁ Average holiday cost: 446€ per person | Average duration: 9 days – Greeks squeeze time and expenses, with almost 50 euros per day per person without giving up the need for rest.

⦁ For Greeks, holidays mean authenticity, intimacy, mental uplift and not total offline, at least for one in three!

See the full survey here

«We wish you a carefree summer, wherever you go, whatever you do»
Our company will be closed from 11-23/8»

Greeks in the pulse of the digital era: From the like to the social image and a little… social media “stalking”!

Posted on July 4, 2025 by focusbari_user

Greeks in the pulse of the digital era:
From the like to the social image and a little… social media “stalking”!

– The new edition of Focus on Tech Life Tips by Focus Bari –

According to the new edition of Focus on Tech Life by Focus Bari, conducted nationwide since 1995, combined with data from YOUGOV profiles, the following can be observed:

⦁ Universal access to the internet: 95% is connected every day with the over 65s recording a rapid increase.

⦁ Absolute domination of the smartphone on the digital map of the country.

⦁ Online shopping at its peak: More than two in three have shopped online at least once in the last six months, with a dramatic rise in the 45+ age group

⦁ Internet: a place of communication but also a “mirror”: 1 in 4 admit to carefully curating their online image, while 1 in 3 admit to having “peeked” at other users’ profiles in the past!

See the whole survey presentation here

From “Thanks a lot” to “Sorry”: customer service is changing face and what’s left is how to make the customer feel!

Posted on June 24, 2025June 24, 2025 by focusbari_user

From “Thanks a lot” to “Sorry”: customer service is changing face and what’s left is how to make the customer feel!

New nationwide survey “Customer Experience Stories” by Focus Bari

Focus Bari’s new nationwide survey “CX Stories: authentic customer experiences”, conducted every Spring and Fall, captures authentic customer experiences through real-life incidents. Specifically, in this wave, it is observed:

– Experiences are shared and become conversations: Two out of three Greeks consult reviews before making any purchase. Experiences whether positive or negative – circulate from word of mouth, shaping images and decisions.

– Positive experiences stand out, negative ones are not forgotten: The good service moments were more frequent, more vivid and associated with care, kindness and human contact. In contrast, the negative ones, although present, focused on indifference, delay or rudeness.

– The exceptional experience is not random, it is built and based on 5 pillars: speed, error recovery, exceeding expectations, emotional connection and caring. At the core, understanding the customer and being genuinely caring.

– AI helps, but does not replace: Greeks acknowledge the immediacy and continuous availability it offers, but remain wary when the human factor is absent, especially in complex situations…

See the whole presentation of the “CX Stories” A wave 2025 here

Digital transition with a focus on people, ethical consistency and transparency: The main demands of Greeks from modern businesses!

Posted on June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by focusbari_user

New nationwide survey by Focus Bari (issue B):

Focus Bari, in order to capture the current needs of consumers towards the businesses of the future, conducted a survey on behalf of TOTAL BUSINESS entitled: “(Re)Defined: what Greeks expect from the businesses of the future”.

The results of the survey were presented at the conference “The BIG P”, at the Athens Conservatory, with wide participation of businesses and institutions. The findings record the messages consumers send to businesses around seven key pillars of new entrepreneurship. More specifically, in the second issue, they include:

Voice with substance: Citizens want businesses to be active participants in socio-political challenges, free from expediency.
Ethics & Transparency as a prerequisite for trust: Society demands honesty, ethical values and practical social responsibility from the businesses of the future: employment opportunities, inclusion and accountability.
Technology is not enough: Customer experience, employee mental health and inclusion are placed at the heart of business evaluation.
Innovation is a one-way street: Citizens support innovation, while asking to maintain the human touch and support for SMEs.

See the whole survey presentation here

The Greeks demand: Authenticity, Sustainability and Communication – The new triptych for responsible business!

Posted on May 26, 2025June 24, 2025 by focusbari_user

The Greeks demand: Authenticity, Sustainability and Communication – The new triptych for responsible business!

New Pan-Hellenic Survey by Focus Bari:

Focus Bari, in order to capture the current needs of consumers towards the businesses of the future, conducted a survey on behalf of TOTAL BUSINESS entitled: “(Re)Defined: what Greeks expect from the businesses of the future”.

The results of the survey were presented at the conference “The BIG P”, at the Athens Conservatory, with wide participation of businesses and institutions. The findings record the messages of consumers to businesses around 7 key pillars of new entrepreneurship. More specifically, in Volume 1, the following are mentioned:

⦁ Social sensitivity through actions, not words: Greeks are skeptical of business when it comes to social responsibility…

⦁ The planet before profit: 3 out of 4 Greeks put environmental protection first, leaving behind the traditional logic of profitability. Sustainability is the new business must.

⦁ No more greenwashing: citizens are rejecting superficial “green” tactics. They want substance, not a sustainable image for show.

⦁ Together with the new generation, not for them: Businesses of the future owe meaningful intergenerational collaboration, empathy and purpose. Tomorrow’s leadership does not impose – it co-creates!

See the full survey here.

Xenia Kourtoglou, founder of Focus Bari, speaker at the BIG P. Conference

Posted on May 16, 2025July 30, 2025 by focusbari_user

Xenia Kourtoglou, founder of Focus Bari, speaker at the BIG P. Conference

With tremendous success and an impressive turnout of representatives and executives from all sectors of business and communication, the first Total Business conference, titled “The BIG P“, was held at the Athens Conservatory on May 16th. The event emphasized that the “big picture” lies in the vision of the future we are shaping together. To capture the contemporary expectations of consumers towards the businesses of tomorrow, Focus Bari conducted a nationwide survey on behalf of TOTAL BUSINESS, titled: “(Re)Defined: What Greeks Expect from the Businesses of the Future.” The findings were presented by Xenia Kourtoglou, revealing key messages from consumers to businesses, across the seven core pillars of modern entrepreneurship:

A Voice with Substance: Citizens want businesses to engage meaningfully in socio-political challenges, free from hidden agendas.
Ethics & Transparency as the Foundation of Trust: Society demands honesty, ethical values, and real social responsibility from future businesses — including job opportunities, inclusion, and accountability.
Technology Is Not Enough: Customer experience, employee mental health, and inclusivity are now central to business evaluation.
Innovation Is the Only Way Forward: Citizens support innovation, while also insisting on preserving human connection and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
Gen Z: Don’t create for the new generation — create with them.
Focuson the Human Factor: With genuine support, empowerment, and care for employees, performance can double.

See the full presentation of the survey here.

Shipping attracts, the outside attracts – The challenge of the brain drain on the new generation!

Posted on May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 by focusbari_user

New Pan-Hellenic Survey by Focus Bari:

Focus Bari, in order to capture the current career needs in the shipping industry, conducted a Survey in collaboration with the YES FORUM organization on:
“New landscape in shipping: Company expectations and youth ambitions”.The results presented at the 8th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum’s Conference & Exhibition , in Heraklion, Crete, reveal interesting findings on the attitudes, but also the challenges recorded both on the part of young people and shipping companies.

⦁ Information starts digitally, but it is not enough: Young people turn to online media and academic activities for information, but their career prospects often remain unclear…

⦁ Strong interest and need for guidance: Although the vast majority participate in relevant actions, young people express uncertainty and insecurity, asking for mentoring, practical experience and more targeted and continuous information.

⦁ Potential with prospects – but also shortcomings: Employers consistently identify strengths in digital skills and foreign languages, point out lack of professionalism and soft skills in prospective young employees.

⦁ Connection & empowerment platforms are necessary: The bridge between the young generation and the market goes through meaningful actions , such as mentoring, networking and contact with the reality of the industry – a role effectively embodied by the YES Forum..

See the whole survey presentation here

Focus Bari, the Research Sponsor at the 2025 YES to Seapping Forum in the Posidonia

Posted on May 7, 2025July 30, 2025 by focusbari_user

With absolute success, the YES to SEApping Forum took place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Heraklion, Crete, as part of the Posidonia SEA Tourism exhibition. The event was honored by the presence of the Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr. Manolis Koutoulakis, who addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of the maritime sector for island Greece and the new generation. The Forum brought together 200 young participants from leading academic institutions across Crete — including the University of Crete, the Hellenic Mediterranean University, SAEK Rethymno, MBS College, the Metropolitan College, and the Merchant Marine Academy of Chania — offering a unique opportunity for dialogue and connection with the maritime world.

A central pillar of the event was the nationwide research conducted by Focus Bari, presented by the company’s founder, Xenia Kourtoglou. The study focused both on the views and career aspirations of young people interested in the maritime sector, as well as on the perspectives and expectations of potential employers, revealing key findings — most notably: Young people perceive the maritime industry as an attractive sector full of opportunities, particularly within Greece. However, they often feel excluded, believing that access depends largely on “connections.” This perception leads to low self-confidence and drives many to consider a career abroad, even though their initial preference is to stay and work in their home country.

On the employers’ side, half of the companies surveyed expressed satisfaction with young professionals, while the other half voiced concerns, mainly related to preparedness and professional attitude.

At the same time, the research highlighted the significant role of the YES Forum itself. Young participants recognize it as a tool for empowerment, awareness, and inspiration, while companies view it as a valuable platform for talent discovery and meaningful connection with the next generation. The event paved the way for deeper dialogue, mutual understanding, and strengthened trust between young people and the maritime industry — another step toward ensuring that shipping is not a closed club, but an open sea of opportunity for all.
XK VIDEO POSIDONIA MAY 2025

See the full research presentation here: