KIEFER, a company that began its journey in 2014 within the energy sector, is now evolving into a significant player in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics in Greece. Christos Petrocheilos, the company's founder and CEO, speaking on the Business Monitor show, described his vision for a Greek "AI factory" that combines computational power with the development of specialized models.
Investment in NVIDIA Infrastructure and Sovereign AI
A central pillar of KIEFER's strategy is the investment in advanced infrastructure. The company brought the first NVIDIA Blackwell system to Greece and invested in the country's first NVIDIA SuperPOD. This move aims to promote "sovereign AI," referring to the capability of managing data and computational power at a local level.
According to Mr. Petrocheilos, data control becomes critical as AI enters homes, businesses, and strategic facilities. In this context, the company is developing Sophea AI, a digital assistant capable of recognizing and producing Greek speech, targeting the support of small and medium-sized enterprises and hotels at a low cost.
Robotics and Energy Infrastructure
In the robotics sector, KIEFER focuses on automating inspections in energy installations. Robots are trained in transformer thermography and the creation of digital twins, allowing for predictive maintenance. Despite the progress, Mr. Petrocheilos emphasized that human oversight remains essential for critical infrastructure.
European Expansion and Open Models
The company has already commenced operations in Poland, with Germany and Italy as its next targets. Furthermore, during 2026, KIEFER released seven open AI models, promoting transparency in the industry. Mr. Petrocheilos estimates that 2027 will be a turning point for the broader adoption of AI by businesses, although he acknowledged that the increased productivity offered by these tools might paradoxically lead to an increase in working hours, as "there is no longer a limit" to work.
