By Teti Igoumenid

The creation, support, and deployment of innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, along with the strengthening of research, entrepreneurship, and the country’s digital development, are the goals of the company AI Factory Pharos.

Its purpose is to operate as the national and regional AI accelerator through the development and operation of a single hub that provides access to specialized computing power, data, models, and skilled human resources.

The project, with an initial budget of 30 million euros, is implemented under the European Union’s research and innovation framework program for 2021–2027, “Horizon Europe,” and is financed 50% by the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) and 50% by national funds.

The Pharos factory is based on the Daedalus supercomputer, a project currently under development. It will be installed at the Lavrio Technological Cultural Park (LTCP), and the combined total investment amounts to approximately 100 million euros.

These provisions are included in a bill of the Ministry of Digital Governance that has been released for public consultation, which will run until Monday, December 8.

According to the bill, the Greek State, represented by the Minister of Digital Governance, will hold a 30% stake in the share capital of Pharos AI Factory, while the Hellenic Holdings and Property Company (EESYP) will hold 70%.

Other activities

In addition to the above, its purposes include, among others, the following:

– The research, development, design, production, installation, distribution, maintenance, and support of AI systems, applications, and technologies, as well as related technologies such as data collection, anonymization, analysis, processing, governance, and utilization.

– The design and development of machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI algorithms, and the creation, training, improvement, adaptation, and assurance of the reliability of Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI models.

– The commercial management and exploitation of all projects, data, and results produced through the project “Pharos – The Greek AI Factory for accelerating AI innovation,” including intellectual property rights, as well as the provision of all services offered by the company.

– The development and provision of highly reliable AI infrastructure, products, and resources in Greece, in line with EU and national law, as well as services for the large-scale development of AI solutions, products, and capabilities, aimed at the widespread adoption of AI and the enhancement of innovation and competitiveness in nationally critical and strategic sectors, such as:
a) Health, with a focus on developing anonymized health data and predictive AI tools;
b) Language and Culture, with a focus on creating language models for the Greek language and Greek culture and on the digital documentation, study, protection, management, and promotion of all their material and intangible expressions;
c) Sustainability and the environment, with a focus on developing AI applications and solutions for natural resource management, addressing climate change, and enhancing energy efficiency.

– Providing user services for various sectors, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and scientific institutions, for the development and use of AI solutions through a single service center.

– Providing education, training, and consulting services on AI, information technologies, and innovation, as well as entrepreneurship support services, with an emphasis on startups and SMEs, to enable the development and commercialization of innovative AI solutions.