Greece is becoming an increasingly active participant in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, researcher Yannis Assael said, following the launch of “Pharos,” one of the first seven AI factories established in Europe.
Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Assael described the development of the project as a transformative experience. “From the early discussions to its implementation within a few months, ‘Pharos’ sent a clear message: things are moving forward in Greece,” he said.
The initiative is expected to further strengthen Greece’s growing start-up ecosystem, while the accompanying supercomputer “Daedalus” will play a key role in supporting AI-related research and innovation over the coming years, Assael added.
Recognised by MIT as one of Europe’s top innovators under 35 for his contributions to AI and machine learning in the service of culture and humanity, Assael said Greece is no longer a passive observer in the international AI arena.
“There has been a coordinated, substantial effort in recent years to integrate Greece into the global AI dialogue,” he said, noting that Greece’s international profile is rising, and its technical contributions are increasingly well received.
Greece’s participation in the European Union’s AI Board and its 2024 membership in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) mark important milestones in the country’s National Strategy for AI.
“GPAI is a multilateral initiative involving 44 countries, connecting experts from academia, industry, civil society and governments to support research and applied work on critical AI issues,” Assael explained.
He was recently elected to the GPAI Steering Committee, where he said Greece is actively contributing to working groups, shaping policies, and sharing expertise while learning from international best practices.
