The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) has decided to set up artificial intelligence (AI) factories across Europe. The aim of the AI Factories is to create a single service centre for users, including start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and scientific users, to facilitate access to its services, as well as skills development and user support.

The project “Pharos: The Greek AI Factory for Accelerating AI Innovation” is a groundbreaking initiative that establishes a national hub for AI research, development, and application. Designed to harness the capabilities of the upcoming Greek national supercomputer DAEDALUS, Pharos is positioned as a strategic pillar in Greece's and EU’s journey towards AI democratisation, sustainability and innovation.

Pharos aims to create a trusted, sustainable AI ecosystem in Greece that bridges the gap between academia, industry and the public sector, by promoting ethical AI innovation, focusing on critical sectors, such as Health, Culture & Language and Sustainability.

Benefits of the project:

• For Startups & SMEs: Access to cutting-edge AI tools and support for scaling AI solutions.
• For Researchers: Opportunities to collaborate on AI projects with access to DAEDALUS.
• For the citizens: AI-driven advancements in health, culture and sustainability will contribute to Greece’s and EU’s digital transformation goals.

Led by the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology - GRNET and supported by a consortium including leading academic institutions, research centers and industry partners, Pharos will integrate state-of-the-art technologies, responsible AI principles, and innovative services to empower startups, SMEs and researchers. Collaborative engagements with other EU initiatives ensure Pharos’ integration into the European AI landscape.

Pharos consortium:

1. (Coordinator) National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET) with associated bodies:

1.1 Centre for Research and Technology - Hellas CERTH

1.2 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

1.3 National Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)

1.4 Foundation for Research & Technology (FORTH)

1.5 University of Piraeus

1.6 National Documentation Centre

and the collaborating entity IDIKA

2. National Centre for Scientific Research DEMOKRITOS
3. National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
4. ATHENA Research Centre (ATHENA)
5. Growthfund

The project has received funding from 
the European High-Performance computing Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 101234269
and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance.