Greece’s willingness and capacity to strengthen its infrastructure and technological capabilities, in order to play an active role in the European AI economy, were highlighted at an event held on Sunday, 6 September, at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence’s “Pavilion 12”, as part of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). The event was organized by the Special Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance.
The discussion focused on the European strategy as well as Greece’s approach to digital sovereignty, which strengthens cooperation with trusted countries and partners, while enhancing the country’s autonomy in this critical field. In particular, the discussion addressed the key infrastructure supporting this objective, such as the AI Factory “PHAROS”, which leverages the “DAIDALOS” supercomputer and creates a shared space where computing power, data, research and entrepreneurship come together. The importance of developing modern and sustainable data centres was also highlighted. At the same time, it was emphasised that Greece’s continued participation in European initiatives related to AI, data and infrastructure enables the country to help shape the European strategy and strengthen the computing capacity on which it can innovate, collaborate and grow internationally.
The discussion was moderated by journalist Theologos Eliou and was attended by Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, Secretary General of Information Systems and Digital Governance, Demosthenes Anagnostopoulos, Special Secretary of Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, Vassilis Karkatzounis, Chairman of the Board of the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET), Stefanos Kollias and CEO of “PHAROS” AI Factory, Aphrodite Sevasti.
Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou said: “Digital sovereignty is today a key prerequisite for resilience, growth and competitiveness in Greece of gov.gr. This means investing in infrastructure, computing power, data, research and human resources that can translate technology into growth. At the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, we have already laid important foundations. “DAIDALOS”, the AI Gigafactory “PHAROS”, new AI infrastructure and modern data centres form a national technology ecosystem with a strong European presence. At the 90th TIF, we present the next step: a Greece that has the infrastructure, know-how and capabilities to actively participate in the new AI economy. We are investing in the conditions that will enable the country to innovate, attract investment, support research and business and play an essential role in European decisions on technology. This is digital sovereignty in practice and this is the vision for the country of 2030.”
Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance, Demosthenes Anagnostopoulos stressed: “The AI revolution is increasingly becoming a question of infrastructure. Investments in data-centre infrastructure are expected to reach approximately $7 trillion by 2030. The key question is: Where will this infrastructure be deployed, and who will control access to it? Greece has already laid the foundations of a digital state. The next step is to create infrastructure that strengthens the country’s digital sovereignty and supports an AI-driven economy.”
Special Secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, Vassilis Karkatzounis said: “Digital sovereignty means the ability to choose and act, not self-sufficiency: strong and sustainable infrastructure, secure and usable data, human capital, know-how and open standards. Greece’s Presidency of the EU can promote a more resilient and competitive Europe, working with trusted international partners under clear rules.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET), Stefanos Kollias, underlined: “The supercomputer “DAIDALOS”, the AI-optimised supercomputer currently under development in Kozani, and the AI Factory “PHAROS” will enable Greek researchers, businesses and public-sector organisations to scale up innovation across all sectors, contributing to an improved quality of life in Greece and across Europe.”
Aphrodite Sevasti, CEO of PHAROS AI FACTORY, said: “PHAROS S.A. is currently laying the foundations for a functioning national platform for harnessing AI. On the one hand, together with our partners, we are developing the technological architecture and capabilities needed to leverage advanced AI infrastructure, and on the other hand, we are creating the operating model, services and processes that enable us to efficiently serve multiple users and organisations at the same time. We are creating a sustainable ecosystem that will generate know-how, accelerate innovation and create measurable economic and productivity impact for our country.”
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Dimitris Papastergiou at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair: “Greece, through gov.gr, is leading the way towards a European framework to protect our children from online risks”
