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The Thessaloniki International Fair returns from 5 to 13 September 2026 in a landmark year. Its 90th edition coincides with the 100th anniversary of the first TIF, held in 1926, marking the beginning of a new era for this historic institution. With Japan as the Honoured Country, a nation that combines technological leadership with tradition and culture, this year’s TIF places innovation and the future firmly in the spotlight.

 

Athena Research Center will have a strong presence at Pavilion 7 of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI) at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. From Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models and Robotics to Health, cultural heritage, sustainable tourism and the green transition, Athena’s research teams will showcase technologies, tools and applications and engage with TIF visitors.

 

 

Athena representatives and researchers will participate in the GSRI events program, presenting technological advances and initiatives that reflect the breadth of the Center’s activities and emerging directions in research and innovation.

 

Ioannis Emiris, President and Director General, Athena Research Center

A landmark program reshaping Athena’s physical and research infrastructure. Athena President, Professor Ioannis Emiris, will present the Center’s comprehensive program for the development of new building and research infrastructure, the strategic investments implemented with funding from Greece 2.0 – NextGenerationEU, and the scale of the transformation and new opportunities it creates for research and innovation at Athena.

 

Georgios Pavlidis, Research Director, Institute for Language and Speech Processing, Athena Research Center

How can we identify threats to a monument at an early stage, even when it is located in a remote or difficult-to-access area? The talk will explore how modern digital twins can be combined with monitoring systems, satellite observations, environmental data and AI methods to create a new framework for the preventive protection of cultural heritage.

 

Kostas Daniilidis, Director, Institute of Robotics, Athena Research Center | Professor, University of Pennsylvania

AI has made remarkable progress in the digital world, but the next major challenge lies in the physical world. Robots need to perceive, act, learn and adapt under conditions of uncertainty and within energy and safety constraints. The transition from AI to physical intelligence is shaping a new roadmap for robotics.

 

Vassilis Katsouros, Director, Institute for Language and Speech Processing, Athena Research Center

From the open Greek models Meltemi and Krikri to the new generation of models developed within the Pharos AI Factory, the presentation will highlight the evolution and practical deployment of Greek AI, its applications across the public and private sectors, and the strategy for building a trustworthy and safe AI ecosystem centered on the Greek language and culture.

 

Ioannis Arampatzidis, Postdoctoral Researcher, Sustainable Development Unit (SDU.AE4RIA), Athena Research Center

The presentation will highlight the holistic approach of the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which brings together scientific knowledge, policy design, stakeholder engagement and financing for the sustainable transition. Through an ecosystem of models and an open digital platform, stakeholders can explore data and alternative scenarios relating to energy, land use, water and the economy.

 

Lydia Papadaki, Postdoctoral Researcher, Sustainable Development Unit (SDU.AE4RIA), Athena Research Center

The presentation will explore how Living Labs and the ESG Platform work together to support the development, testing and evaluation of sustainable solutions. Through Living Labs, businesses, researchers, public authorities and citizens co-create and test interventions in real-world settings, while the ESG Platform supports the systematic monitoring and evaluation of their outcomes.

 

Giorgos Mylonas, Principal Researcher, Industrial Systems Institute, Athena Research Center

Climate change and increasing tourism pressure pose new challenges for the protection and management of cultural heritage monuments. HERIT ADAPT introduces a sustainable tourism development model that uses Digital Twins, AI, XR and IoT to strengthen the resilience of historic sites, with particular reference to its implementation at the Temple of Apollo Epicurius.

 

Christos Alexakos, Principal Researcher, Industrial Systems Institute, Athena Research Center

How can data transform the way tourism destinations are planned and managed? The presentation will introduce the LIBECCIO Decision-Making Support System (DMSS), an innovative platform that uses near-real-time data to support evidence-based decision-making by public authorities and destination management organizations.

 

 

Throughout the 90th TIF, Athena researchers will be at the GSRI pavilion presenting research outcomes, new technologies and applications across a broad range of fields. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience these applications first-hand and meet the people behind their research and development.

 

The first open Large Language Models (LLMs) for Greek, developed by the Institute for Language and Speech Processing at Athena Research Center and made freely available for research and commercial use, marking a new era for Artificial Intelligence that “speaks Greek”!

 

Athena Research Center is contributing to the development of a national AI infrastructure, leveraging Greek data and models and supporting the development of open, transparent and trustworthy AI systems by harnessing the capabilities of the Daedalus supercomputer. Within this framework, the Institute for Language and Speech Processing is leading the development of a national foundation LLM for the research community and Greek industry.

 

A pan-European infrastructure for the secure sharing and commercial exploitation of language data, in which Athena plays a key role in developing a Common European Language Data Space, strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty in the field of LLMs and AI.

 

How can we quickly find the information hidden within vast volumes of data? DataGEMS uses AI to make data searchable, interoperable and easier to explore, facilitating knowledge discovery and the development of innovative applications across multiple domains.

 

The intelligent assistants Study Buddy and Teacher Mate harness generative AI to support students and educators, providing tools that personalise learning and enhance teaching practice.

 

Powerful AI-enabled computational tools will be presented for predicting and quantifying multiple molecular characteristics from readily available H&E-stained slides. Histopathological tissue slides, together with genetic testing, are commonly used for tumour phenotyping and, consequently, treatment selection. In recent years, clinical canters have increasingly invested in digitising such tissue slides, enabling automated processing and supporting research aimed at elucidating underlying biological processes.

 

Methods developed by the Archimedes/AUEB NLP Team for medical image annotation and the automated generation of diagnostic text from sets of medical images will be presented. The demonstration builds on approaches developed by the team through its participation in the 9th edition of the ImageCLEFmedical Caption challenge (Concept Detection and Caption Prediction subtasks), as well as through collaboration with the Echocardiography Laboratory of Papageorgiou General Hospital in Thessaloniki.

 

An innovative wearable device designed to facilitate the early detection and diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It integrates cutting-edge technologies to create a comprehensive, user-friendly continuous monitoring system, with the aim of providing patients and healthcare professionals with real-time data to improve the diagnosis and treatment of DVT.

 

How can autonomous systems navigate when GPS is not sufficient? OmniLoc.AI provides an answer through an innovative localisation platform that uses Artificial Intelligence, satellite imagery and data from multiple sensors to enable reliable navigation for drones, robotic vehicles and other autonomous platforms.

 

A robot used for the inspection of Extra-High Voltage Substations will be demonstrated, using augmented reality to enable safer, faster and more accurate inspections. The operator can control the robot through a virtual reality (VR) headset or a screen, receiving live 360° video and real-time equipment data through augmented reality (AR). The system also features assisted navigation capabilities, detecting its surroundings and obstacles in real time to support safe robot movement. The technologies invlolved have received funding from the Horizon Europe projects HERON and JARVIS.

 

The exhibit presents artificial perception systems that enable robots to see, learn and adapt to people and their environment. Videos from laboratory experiments demonstrate how algorithms for 3D analysis of facial expressions and body posture recognise human emotional states and actions, enabling natural interaction, including robots playing with children. Robotic arms also grasp deformable objects, such as fruit at different stages of ripeness, estimating their position and shape, operating without depth cameras and autonomously exploring previously unseen objects. The innovation lies in the transition from robots that execute pre-programmed movements to robots that understand and adapt, enabling broader applications in work, education and care. The technologies invlolved have received funding from the Horizon Europe project PILLAR-Robots.

The Old Town of Xanthi is transformed into a vibrant open-air digital museum through thematic routes, 360° tours, augmented reality applications and educational content, creating a unique immersive cultural experience.

 

Sensors, satellite data and Artificial Intelligence are combined to support the preventive protection of remote monuments against natural and human-induced threats, introducing a new approach to cultural heritage management in the face of the climate crisis.

 

Artificial Intelligence and 3D and virtual representations are opening up new possibilities, making the performing arts more accessible and participatory. Pilot applications include VR-enhanced performances, virtual collaboration between artists and AI-assisted choreography.

 

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, designed by Ictinus in the 5th century BC, is one of the most important monuments of antiquity and was the first site in Greece to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1986. The HERIT ADAPT project is developing a sustainable tourism model for the Mediterranean, with activities across eight pilot sites in Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Cyprus.

As part of the project, the Temple of Apollo Epicurius will be digitised, alongside an attempt to virtually “reunite” the sculptures of the temple’s frieze, which originally adorned the interior of the cella and are now housed in the British Museum. An action plan will also be developed to promote the monument in a sustainable manner, together with AI-based tools for annotating elements of the archaeological remains at the site. The implementation is being carried out in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia and the Region of Western Greece.

 

A digital innovation platform for tourism in the Mediterranean, designed to enhance the strategic and operational effectiveness of professionals working in the tourism industry.

 

An online application that measures an individual’s carbon footprint based on their lifestyle and country of residence and suggests specific actions to reduce it. Using the data collected, the application provides personalised lifestyle recommendations and helps users develop an individual plan for reducing their carbon footprint. Its goal is to encourage behavioural change by promoting more sustainable lifestyles that reduce the carbon emissions driving climate change.

 

An immersive virtual reality (VR) experience explores how citizens evaluate different interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience in Athens. Participants explore alternative future versions of the same urban environment, shaped by different green and nature-based solutions, and experience their potential effects on temperature, air pollution, biodiversity, traffic and noise. They then record their preferences through interactive choices and questionnaires, allowing researchers to investigate whether experiencing alternative scenarios first-hand affects the way people evaluate climate adaptation options.

 

An open, interactive platform combining data, integrated models and stakeholder engagement to support the design of more coordinated and effective action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Users can explore the impacts of different scenarios on land use, agriculture and food systems, energy and emissions, water systems and the economy, helping identify appropriate priorities and interventions based on data and analysis. The methodology can be adapted to the specific needs and circumstances of each country.

 

An interactive management and reporting platform that brings together financial, market, operational and ESG data, as well as benchmarking information, in a single user-friendly environment. It enables performance monitoring and analysis across different time periods, exploration of ESG trends and comparison of results against relevant market benchmarks. Dynamic charts, key performance indicators (KPIs), filters and data-export features support further analysis and presentation of results.

 

GSET is a geospatial decision-support platform that combines the geographic boundaries of a proposed intervention with regional socioeconomic and demographic data, such as information on affected households or populations. Users can enter investment and operating costs, implementation timelines and other scenario parameters. By combining these inputs with the economic valuation of expected benefits, the tool calculates the net present value (NPV) of an intervention, providing a consistent and transparent basis for assessing its long-term socioeconomic performance and comparing alternative options for climate adaptation or environmental management.

 

A strategic planning tool that helps organisations and businesses design or transform their business models in line with circular economy principles. Building on the traditional Business Model Canvas, it explores ways to keep resources in use for longer through practices such as reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling. It also helps identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and create new sources of value across the value chain.

 

A practical visual tool that supports the design, organisation and management of Living Labs, guiding stakeholders through the key stages of co-creation, experimentation and innovation. It enables users to define the societal challenge, map stakeholders and their roles, identify activities and expected outcomes, and design governance, engagement and impact-assessment mechanisms. In this way, it facilitates collaboration and supports the development and testing of solutions in real-world settings with the active participation of stakeholders.

 

Code4Europe aims to expand and strengthen digital education, building on the success of EU Code Week, a pan-European initiative running for more than a decade. Its mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of digitally skilled Europeans by ensuring that coding and technology skills are accessible to everyone.

 

One of the best-known international computational thinking competitions for students, the Bebras Challenge is aimed at children and young people aged 6–18 and develops logical reasoning, problem-solving and computational thinking through short and accessible challenges. Participants solve 10–15 short logic and computer science problems within 45 minutes, with no prior programming knowledge required.