“Something new, grand and very optimistic for the innovative course of the country begins”, stated the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, during the inaugural event of the flagship project AI Factory “Pharos”, which took place today, April 15, 2025, at the amphitheatre of the Ministry of Digital Governance.

“Pharos” is one of the first thirteen AI “factories” in Europe and is a strategically important initiative, strengthening competitiveness, developing reliable AI applications and promoting sustainability-driven innovation. It is a €30 million project, implemented under the Horizon Europe programme and funded 50% by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and 50% by national resources. The project will take 36 months to complete.

More specifically, the AI “factory” will provide computing power, advanced AI tools, big data and expert human resources to startups and SMEs, academic institutions, research centres and public bodies. In this way, they will be able to develop AI applications in the fields of Health, Greek Language and Culture, and Sustainability.

For example:

• A research institution can use the data collected and anonymised by appropriate methods, as well as the computational resources of the “DAEDALUS” supercomputer, to develop applications of personalised medicine, such as medical image analysis systems using AI.
• A start-up, in collaboration with a university, can use the text data and open language models available in “Pharos” to develop digital assistants to help citizens understand complex administrative procedures or better serve people with disabilities.
• An SME can use “Pharos” tools to analyse satellite data in order to optimise the management of natural resources and combat the effects of climate change

It is worth noting that the new national supercomputer “DAEDALUS” will serve as the computing platform of the AI Factory. With a total computing power of 89 Pflops, a significant percentage of this will be secured for exclusive use by AI applications through “Pharos”.

During the event, attendees focused on the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the country’s academic and research institutions, to create open and reliable AI tools for all European economies.

The Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, stated: “With the AI Factory we are joining forces so that through the combination of infrastructure, data and skills we can provide opportunities for startup companies, research centres, universities to develop AI-based solutions.

This is not something inward-looking or limited to the public sector. On the contrary, our goal is for the AI Factory to serve as a driver of extroversion. Together, the private and public sectors can harness AI for the country’s development and to create opportunities that retain talented human resources in Greece. It is particularly encouraging that many institutions are eager to actively participate in this initiative. I would like to highlight the Greek Parliament, the cornerstone of our democracy, which has expressed its willingness to contribute its wealth of data—as confirmed to me yesterday during our meeting by the President of the Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis“.

Yannis Mastrogeorgiou, Special Secretary for Long-Term Planning and Coordinator of the National AI Advisory Committee under the Prime Minister stated: “This project brings together Greek universities, research infrastructures and the market. It is proof that Greece can create, export and lead in cutting-edge technologies.”

S. Kollias, Emeritus Professor NTUA, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Infrastructures of Research and Technology (GRNET) – the Project Coordinator AI Factory Pharos, stated: “AI Factory Pharos is not just a project, it is a platform for the scientific and technological progress of our country. We are combining knowledge, technology and collaboration for a future that takes advantage of the full potential of human-centered AI.”

Anders Jensen, Executive Director of EuroHPC JU stated: “The AI Factory Pharos initiative will strengthen Europe’s leadership on AI. I welcome it and also Greece’s commitment to be part of the European AI and HPC Ecosystems.”

The project was designed and is being implemented by the national consortium led by the National Network of Infrastructures for Research and Technology –  GRNET, a body  operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance and partners the National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos (NCSR), the National Technical University of Athens, the Research Centre ATHENA and GrowthFund, in direct collaboration with the Special Secretariat of the Government’s Long-Term Planning Committee (Strategic Foresight).

In addition, the following institutions are participating: a) Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), b) Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), c) National Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), d) Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), e) University of Piraeus, as well as the National Documentation Centre (EKT) and IDIKA SA, bodies of the Ministry of Digital Governance.