At the Power of Innovation 2026 summit organized by Fortune Greece, the Minister of Digital Governance and AI, Dimitris Papastergiou, outlined Greece's strategic shift from technology consumption to production. The cornerstone of this transition is the "Daedalus" supercomputer, recently inaugurated at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park.

Digital Sovereignty and "Daedalus"

The Minister emphasized that housing "Daedalus" in a historic 1880 building is essential for ensuring data sovereignty by keeping processing within national borders. "Until today, we have only been consuming Artificial Intelligence," Mr. Papastergiou noted. "Now is the time to produce our own AI models, without relying on technological infrastructure outside our borders."

The first production services of the supercomputer are expected to be available in December. According to the Minister, Greece is one of only 14 countries globally to possess such infrastructure. For the first two years, Greek researchers and universities will have free access to develop their models, while businesses can request access through the company "Faros SA."

Investments and Regional Cooperation

The planning for digital infrastructure extends beyond Lavrion:

  • Kozani: Consultation has begun for a new computing infrastructure costing approximately €40 million, aimed at serving Balkan markets.
  • AI Gigafactories: €350 million has been committed for even larger AI infrastructures under European initiatives.
  • International Partnerships: The Greek AI Factory includes participation from Cyprus, Malta, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

Growth of the Space Economy and Infrastructure

Mr. Papastergiou also highlighted the rapid progress in the Greek space economy. While the country had no satellites of its own a year ago, it now counts 18, with another 4-5 scheduled for launch. Additionally, he announced the upcoming tender processes for the "Space 2" program, signaling the continuation of investments in the sector. Regarding broader infrastructure, the Minister emphasized that Greece's geographical position and energy interconnections with the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans provide a stable environment for data center development.