On September 24, The American College of Greece brought its growing London community together at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf for ACG in Conversation – London 2026, an evening dedicated to one of the defining questions of our time: what remains distinctly human in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?
Under the theme “The Human Advantage: Learning, Creating and Leading in the Age of AI,” the event brought together leaders from education, business, and technology to explore how AI is transforming the way we learn, work, create, and lead, while highlighting the enduring importance of human capabilities such as creativity, critical thinking, adaptability, judgment, and leadership.
The evening opened with welcome remarks from Aliki Giannakopoulou, Vice President of Advancement at The American College of Greece, followed by Mariana Varvarigou, General Counsellor – Public Diplomacy Office at the Embassy of Greece in London, who addressed guests on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Yannis Tsaousis.
Learning and leadership in a changing world
The first part of the program featured a fireside conversation between Dr. Ed Wingenbach, President of The American College of Greece, and Dr. Danae Manika, Pierce alumna and Executive Dean of Alba Graduate Business School. Their discussion moved beyond what artificial intelligence can do to consider how leaders and institutions should respond to change. Dr. Wingenbach spoke about approaching AI as a partner and emphasized the importance of transparency in leadership, while Dr. Manika reflected on institutional transformation, noting that meaningful change begins with listening rather than making changes for their own sake, and with building momentum across a community. Together, their perspectives highlighted a distinctly human advantage: the ability to lead change thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with purpose.
The conversation continued with a panel bringing together perspectives from some of the world’s leading academic and technology organizations. Theo Michalopoulos, Alba ’02, General Manager, Enterprise Commercial, Microsoft UK & Ireland, Alexandros Fragkos, Alba ’15, Senior Business Strategy & Analytics Lead, Gemini EMEA Marketing at Google, and Ioulia Bessa, Associate Professor at Leeds University Business School and Visiting Professor at Alba Graduate Business School, joined a discussion moderated by Othon Anastasakis, Director of SEESOX and Senior Research Fellow at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
Drawing on perspectives from technology, business, research, and higher education, the panel explored the growing AI skills gap, the changing expectations of employers, and the ways organizations, governments, and educational institutions are responding to an increasingly AI-driven world. Central to the conversation was the role of education in developing not only technological fluency, but also the human qualities that remain essential as technology advances.
A conversation shaped by the community
The discussion extended beyond the stage, with questions and contributions from the audience adding new perspectives and creating a lively exchange around the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. The evening concluded with a networking reception, giving alumni, friends, speakers, and members of the wider ACG community the opportunity to continue the conversation and reconnect in a more informal setting.
More than a discussion about technology, ACG in Conversation – London 2026 was a reflection on the kind of knowledge, judgment, creativity, and leadership that will matter most in the years ahead. It was also another opportunity to bring the ACG community in London together around ideas that connect education with the challenges shaping business and society today.
As ACG’s London community continues to grow, the College looks forward to creating further opportunities for alumni and friends to connect, exchange ideas, and remain part of the wider ACG community.