News

At one of the most important conferences highlighting current trends and strategies for the present and future use of data and Artificial Intelligence, the Data & AI Conference, Professor Yiannis Emiris, President and General Director of the Athena Research Center for the years 2021–2025, participated as a keynote speaker.

 

The conference, held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the DAIS cultural venue, brought together leading representatives from the business and academic sectors with the goal of showcasing strategies and best practices for leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Data Technologies.

 

Professor Emiris took part in the session titled “Building Winning Data and AI Strategies”, where he emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies in data management and AI utilization. He highlighted the importance of data quality and interoperability, the development of infrastructures that support innovation, and the cultivation of specialized human capital. He also stressed that Artificial Intelligence must be transparent, fair, and trustworthy in order to gain society’s confidence and have a real impact.

 

The session also featured prominent representatives from the business community, as well as Professor Emeritus Stefanos Kollias, President of GRNET, the organization coordinating the Ministry of Digital Governance’s project “Pharos: The Greek AI Factory for accelerating AI innovation.”

 

Professor Emiris underlined the role of the Athena Research Center in shaping the national strategy for Artificial Intelligence, referring to Athena’s participation in the flagship project Pharos. He pointed out that through this involvement, Athena strengthens the connection between academic research, the public sector, and private industry, while playing a key role in developing innovative services in the fields of Health, the Greek Language, Culture, and Sustainable Development—areas in which Pharos aims to lead the way.