PHAROS AI Factory Project, Greece’s national ecosystem for accelerating Artificial Intelligence innovation, coordinated by GRNET, participated in the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), held from 5 to 13 September 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Throughout the Fair, PHAROS AI Factory Project was featured alongside its computing platform, the new supercomputer DAEDALUS, at a dedicated booth within the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence exhibition space in Pavilion 12. Visitors had the opportunity to discover the Project’s vision, services and infrastructure. GRNET representatives were on hand to present PHAROS’ role as one of the first seven AI Factories established under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and to discuss collaboration opportunities with researchers, startups, SMEs and public-sector organisations.
Overall, 254 visitors were informed by GRNET representatives about its digital and research infrastructures, projects and activities, including PHAROS AI Factory Project and the opportunities it creates for the development and adoption of trustworthy AI solutions in Health, Language & Culture, and Sustainability.
During the Fair, PHAROS was also featured in two panel discussions on the Main Stage of Pavilion 12, focusing on the role of Artificial Intelligence in public administration and Greece’s position within the evolving European AI ecosystem.
“A Citizen-Friendly State: A State with AI Serving the Citizen”
Sunday, 6 September 2026 | Pavilion 12 – Main Stage | 11:30–12:30
The discussion focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence in modernising public administration and improving services for citizens, addressing the opportunities offered by AI technologies, as well as the challenges associated with the digital transformation of the public sector.
The panel brought together Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence; Vivi Charalampogianni, Deputy Minister of Interior; Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance; Vasilis Karkatzounis, Special Secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance; and Stefanos Kollias, Chairman of GRNET and Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens, alongside other institutional representatives.
The session was attended by 64 participants on-site, while 87 online views were recorded via the live stream.
The recorded session is available here.
“Digital Sovereignty in Practice: Greece’s Role in the European Strategy”
Sunday, 6 September 2026 | Pavilion 12 – Main Stage | 16:00–17:00
The discussion explored Greece’s role in the European AI ecosystem, with particular emphasis on the contribution of the PHAROS AI Factory Project to the development of national AI capabilities and the wider European AI Factories initiative. The discussion also addressed emerging opportunities for research, innovation and entrepreneurship and the importance of strengthening Greece’s position within Europe’s digital and technological landscape.
Participants included Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence; Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance; Vasilis Karkatzounis, Special Secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance; and Stefanos Kollias, Chairman of GRNET and Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens, alongside representatives of the innovation and business ecosystem.
The session was attended by 73 participants on-site, while 127 online views were recorded via the live stream.
The recorded session is available here.
Through its participation in the 90th TIF, PHAROS AI Factory Project highlighted its role in Greece’s AI ecosystem and its contribution to connecting advanced computing infrastructure, research and innovation with the development and adoption of trustworthy AI solutions.
