Greece is stepping boldly into the AI era with the launch of PHAROS AI Factory, a cutting-edge hub that will provide computational power, data, and technical expertise to researchers, universities, and startups. Set to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2026, PHAROS aims to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence projects from concept to prototype and into real-world applications.

What is an AI Factory?

An AI Factory isn’t a traditional factory building; it’s a production ecosystem. It combines high-performance computing, access to high-quality datasets, tools, and technical support, enabling teams to develop AI models and applications efficiently. From design and data preparation to testing, skill development, and responsible AI adoption, AI Factories serve as one-stop shops for innovation.

The model addresses a key challenge: small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, and public institutions often lack the resources to fund and maintain the computing power required for modern AI. PHAROS solves this by offering centralized, scalable infrastructure.

PHAROS: Greece’s national AI hub

PHAROS connects academia, research centers, and public and private sectors, focusing on three thematic areas with national and international impact:

  • Health – AI solutions for medical research and applications.
  • Culture and Language – Supporting Greek language processing and digital heritage.
  • Sustainability – Energy, environmental, and climate-focused AI applications.

The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, led by Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, in close collaboration with the European Commission. It is one of six flagship initiatives under Greece’s National AI Strategy, coordinated by Special Secretary for Long-Term Planning, Giannis Mastrogeorgiou.

Who’s involved?

PHAROS is implemented by a national consortium led by the Greek Research and Technology Network (GRNET). Key partners include:

  • National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSR-D)
  • National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
  • Athena Research Center
  • Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Growthfund

The total budget is €30 million, shared equally between the Greek government and the European Commission.

Next steps

Before the end of 2025, Law 5263/2025 established the public limited company Hellenic AI Factory S.A., tasked with developing, operating, and managing the AI Factory’s services. By early 2026, PHAROS will have a full board of directors, an approved business plan, and a gradually expanding service portfolio.

What PHAROS will offer

  • Access to high-performance computers for computationally intensive AI projects.
  • Tools, pre-trained models, and high-quality datasets.
  • Expert guidance to help teams design, test, and scale AI solutions responsibly.

The goal is to bridge research and real-world applications, ensuring Greek startups and universities can compete globally without depending solely on expensive external infrastructure.

Why Greece?

PHAROS is part of a European initiative under EuroHPC, which selects EU countries to host AI Factories. Greece was among the first seven chosen due to its strategic plan and critical infrastructure, particularly the DAEDALUS supercomputer, which will be operational in May 2026 in Lavrio.

A supercomputer like DAEDALUS is essentially many powerful computers working together, enabling the massive calculations required to train and optimize large AI models. PHAROS acts as the service layer that makes this power accessible and usable.

Who benefits?

  • Startups and SMEs gain affordable access to computational power and technical guidance, accelerating product development and scaling AI solutions.
  • Universities and research centers obtain infrastructure for advanced AI projects and stronger connections to industry.
  • Citizens benefit from faster public services, medical advancements, energy efficiency solutions, environmental protection, and AI applications tailored to the Greek language and culture.

For example, a Greek health startup developing an AI tool to prioritize X-rays or CT scans can now overcome data, computational, and compliance barriers using PHAROS, moving quickly from prototype to tested solution, ready for deployment or investment.

Greece as a regional AI hub

PHAROS is part of a network of European AI Factories and positions Greece as a regional hub in Southeast Europe, connected via “AI Factory Antennas” to neighboring countries. This integration strengthens collaborations and maximizes the economic and research benefits for Greece.

With PHAROS, Greece is not just adopting AI — it’s building an ecosystem that supports innovation, drives economic growth, and creates homegrown solutions aligned with national and European priorities.

Akis Skertsos is Minister of State, responsible for monitoring government work.