GRNET – National Infrastructures for Research and Technology, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, is proud to participate in BEYOND 2026, the International Digital Technology & Innovation Exhibition, taking place June 17-19, 2026, at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece.
The event serves as a key platform for technological advancements, fostering collaboration and highlighting groundbreaking innovations across Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing, quantum technologies, and digital infrastructure.
Visitors can visit GRNET at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence booth (Hall 3 | Stand: A02/B01), where they can explore the organisation’s projects and infrastructures through video presentations illustrating GRNET’s function and role in key areas such as infrastructures, networks (HEPHAESTUS & MACHAON), data centers, HPC (DAEDALUS & EuroCC), AI (PHAROS AI Factory) digital identity wallet for Greece and Europe (Aptitude EU Digital Identity Wallet & Gov.gr Wallet), gov.gr, open science (EOSC), quantum communication infrastructures (SEEWQCI & HellasQCI) and more.
As part of this major event, GRNET representatives will participate in five panel discussions, exploring the future of AI, high-performance and quantum communication infrastructure, cybersecurity, and Greece’s evolving digital landscape, while emphasizing GRNET’s strategic role in driving research excellence and digital transformation in Greece and Europe.
Stefanos Kollias, Chairman GRNET and Professor Emeritus NTUA, will represent GRNET in three dynamic panel discussions, addressing the role of digital infrastructure in healthcare, the national AI infrastructure shaping the country’s future, and the broader trajectory of Greece’s digital transformation.
Healing with Data: AI, Digital Infrastructure and the Future of Greek Healthcare
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | Time: 11:30 | Location: Stage 2
This discussion explores how data, AI, and digital infrastructure are transforming the Greek healthcare system, with a focus on the MACHAON project and the future of digital health.
Panelists:
- Stefanos Kollias, Chairman GRNET and Professor Emeritus NTUA
- Dr. George E. Dafoulas, Digital Health Policy Analyst, Ministry of Digital Governance & AI
- Alexandros Bregiannis, CEO, Nova ICT
Moderator: Lefteris Galanos, Journalist, Political Editor / Head of Press Office, MSCOMM
Digital Greece: The Next Steps and Challenges for the Country’s Digital Transformation – powered by SEPE
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 | Time: 15:00 | Location: Stage 2
Organized by SEPE -The Federation of Hellenic ICT Enterprises, this discussion brings together representatives from public administration, academia, and the market on the challenges and opportunities created by AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies for Greece’s digital transformation and its role as a regional innovation hub.
Panelists:
- Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance
- Stavros Asthenidis, CEO, Information Society S.M.S.A.
- Stefanos Kollias, Chairman GRNET and Professor Emeritus NTUA
- Giorgos Pitsilis, Governor, Independent Authority for Public Revenue
- Niki Tsouma, CEO, IDIKA S.M.S.A.
- Yota Paparidou, President of the Board, The Federation of Hellenic ICT Enterprises (SEPE)
Moderator: Dimitris Mallas (journalist)
Computing for Greece: The National AI Infrastructure That Will Define the Next Decade
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 | Time: 16:15 | Location: Stage 1
This panel focuses on the national AI infrastructure being built around the Greek AI Factory PHAROS and the DAEDALUS supercomputer, and how these will shape research, innovation, and competitiveness in Greece over the coming decade.
Panelists:
- Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, Secretary General for Information Systems and Digital Governance, Ministry of Digital Governance
- Stefanos Kollias, Chairman GRNET and Professor Emeritus NTUA
- Yannis Mastrogeorgiou, Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of the Hellenic Government
- Nikos Christodoulou, Partner, Technology & Transformation Leader, Deloitte
Moderator: Petros Konstantinidis, Journalist – TA NEA
Moreover, Dimitris Katsianis, GRNET Deputy Chairman and Assistant Professor at NKUA, will participate in a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of quantum computing, sharing GRNET’s contribution to building Greece’s quantum communication infrastructure through the HellasQCI and SEEWQCI initiatives.
Quantum Computing: Challenges and Opportunities
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | Time: 17:30 | Location: Stage 3
Panelists
- Dimitris Aggelakis, Director, Institute of Quantum Computing and Quantum Technology at the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSRD)
- Antonis Argyros, CEO, DeployQuantum
- Dimitris Katsianis, GRNET Deputy Chairman and Assistant Professor at NKUA
- Dr. Angelos Tsikas, CEO, QUANTUM NEURAL TECHNOLOGIES S.A
- Myron Flouris, Innovation Expert, Head of Steering Committee AI Catalyst
Moderator: Dr. Spyros Arsenis, Head of Innovative Entrepreneurship Development, NBG Business Seeds
Panos Louridas, Director Research & Development Department Directorate GRNET and Professor at the Department of Management Science and Technology AUEB, will take part in the Region of Central Macedonia session on strategic partnerships for research and innovation, delivering the opening speech and moderating the panel discussion on cultivating artificial intelligence domestically. Dimitris Katsianis, GRNET Deputy Chairman and Assistant Professor at NKUA, will open the session with welcome remarks.
Region of Central Macedonia: Strategic Partnerships with Government Bodies for Research and Innovation
Welcome Remarks & Opening Speech
Date: Friday, June 19, 2026 | Time: 14:30 | Location: Stage 3
Welcome remarks: Dimitris Katsianis, GRNET Deputy Chairman and Assistant Professor at NKUA
Opening speech: “Manna from Heaven? GRNET’s Provision of Resources to the Greek Academic and Research Community”, Panos Louridas, Director Research & Development Department Directorate GRNET and Professor at the Department of Management Science and Technology AUEB
Section B: Nurturing Domestic AI
Date: Friday, June 19, 2026 | Time: 15:30 | Location: Stage 3
This thematic session presents the GRNET’s service offerings and its use by the Region of Central Macedonia, as well as by universities and research institutions. The discussion highlights projects and applications based on High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, research activities, and Cloud services, showcasing the benefits of strategic partnerships between public bodies, the academic community, and international technology providers.
Panelists:
- Vassilis Katsouros, Research Director at the Institute for Language and Speech Processing, “Athena” Research and Innovation Center
- Afrodite Sevasti, CEO Pharos S.A. (Greek AI Factory)
- Stelios Karozis, Researcher (grade C), National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSRD)
Moderator: Panos Louridas, Director Research & Development Department Directorate GRNET and Professor at the Department of Management Science and Technology AUEB
GRNET’s participation in BEYOND 2026 highlights its commitment to leading AI and HPC developments, supporting research initiatives, and contributing to the country’s innovation ecosystem. As technology continues to evolve, GRNET remains at the forefront of shaping Greece’s digital future through strategic collaborations and cutting-edge infrastructure.
More details about BEYOND 2026
- More about GRNET: https://grnet.gr/
- More details about BEYOND 2026: https://www.beyond-expo.gr/
More details about BEYOND 2026
More about the Greek AI Factory Pharos and the DAEDALUS Supercomputer:
Pharos: The Greek AI Factory for accelerating AI innovation
Grant for the Development of a New National HPC system “DAEDALUS”
