Dimitris Katsianis, Deputy Chairman of GRNET (the coordinator of the PHAROS AI Factory project) and Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), authored an article published on Infocom.gr on 21 September 2026, titled “GRNET: Infrastructure, data and Artificial Intelligence for a resilient and competitive economy“.
The article examines how technology leadership is shifting from an operational role to one of strategic planning and decision-making, as choices on digital infrastructure, data, Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity become directly linked to productivity, competitiveness, risk management and business continuity. The trajectory of GRNET, the technology body of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, is presented as a characteristic example of this shift.
Particular emphasis is placed on the new supercomputer DAEDALUS, implemented and operated by GRNET and ranked 31st on the TOP500 and 23rd on the Green500 lists, which strengthens Greece’s capabilities in High-Performance Computing (HPC), big data analytics, machine learning and the development of AI applications. With DAEDALUS at its core, PHAROS AI Factory, coordinated by GRNET, aims to bridge research, entrepreneurship and the public sector. Access to computing resources, data, tools and specialised support creates new opportunities for start-ups and SMEs in the areas of Health, Language and Culture, and Sustainability. Together, DAEDALUS and PHAROS lay the foundations for a responsible, human-centric AI strategy, aligned with European values and the ethical use of technology.
The article also highlights the upgrade of the GRNET network to 100-400 Gbps, and over 1 Tbps for key destinations such as GRNET’s data centres and DAEDALUS; GRNET’s contribution to more than 380 transaction flows on the gov.gr single digital portal; and its quantum communication activities through HellasQCI, SEEWQCI and TransEuroOGS, part of the EU-wide EuroQCI initiative.
Read the full article (in Greek) on Infocom.gr here.
