In the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the new Smart Building of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT) was officially inaugurated on 20 October 2026 at the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSR).
The state-of-the-art facility features advanced research laboratories, a modern data center and intelligent building management technologies. It will strengthen Demokritos’ research and technological development capabilities while fostering closer collaboration with businesses and public institutions.
The completion of the building marks a significant milestone in the wider modernization of Demokritos’ research infrastructure, creating new opportunities for researchers and supporting the development of technologies with practical applications across society and the economy.
A modern, sustainable and accessible research facility
The building’s distinctive architectural design comprises two separate volumes connected by a central atrium crowned by a glass pyramid, allowing natural light to reach every floor.
Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the facility incorporates a centralized Building Management System (BMS), a photovoltaic installation and bioclimatic sunshades with adjustable slats. It is also fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Deputy Development Minister Stavros Kalafatis and Secretary General for Research and Innovation Dimitris Terzis.
Guests were welcomed by Vangelis Karkaletsis, Director and Chair of the Board of Demokritos, and Giorgos Paliouras, Deputy Director of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications. The event also brought together directors of Demokritos’ institutes, researchers, members of Parliament, representatives of academia and the research community, business leaders and local authorities.
Mitsotakis: Investing in technology, research and modern infrastructure
In his address, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of investing in emerging technologies, research, and modern infrastructure for the country’s future, stating:
“This is a building that truly reflects the new momentum of excellence and innovation in our country, as well as the government’s equally high ambitions for Greece in the age of artificial intelligence. We can now say that the worlds of science, technology, and public administration are coming together under one roof with the business community, including both start-ups and larger companies.
I believe this is important because we are now leaving behind an era in which our country essentially relied on importing ready-made technological solutions. Today, we are bringing our strengths together with the aim of developing not only domestic expertise but also innovative applications across a range of cutting-edge fields.”
Demokritos announces its eighth institute: IRISE
Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos emphasized that Greece is not merely observing technological change but actively contributing to it by generating knowledge and developing innovations that benefit the economy and society.
He also announced the establishment of IRISE, the Institute for Research Integrity, Security and Ethics, which will become Demokritos’ eighth institute.
IRISE will support the development of knowledge, tools and policies for trustworthy artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and responsible research.
“Demokritos is once again at the forefront of innovation,” he noted, emphasizing that “the research we pursue places people at the center.”
From pioneering computing to artificial intelligence
In his welcoming remarks, Vangelis Karkaletsis reflected on the role of scientific research and invoked a famous saying attributed to Democritus of Abdera: “The truth lies in the depths.”
He explained that scientific knowledge requires questioning, perseverance, boldness and collective effort rather than reliance on appearances alone.
Tracing the history of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, he highlighted its early work in electronics in 1958, the development of the experimental computer “Proteas”, the establishment of pioneering artificial intelligence laboratories, the creation of the “Ariadne” network – which helped lay the foundations for the internet in Greece – and the establishment of the Institute in 1987.
These milestones, he noted, illustrate the Institute’s longstanding contribution to the development of Greece’s technological expertise.
Karkaletsis also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and the links between technology, philosophy and ethics. He advocated an approach to artificial intelligence that strengthens human judgement and autonomy, while recognizing the researchers and teams behind the infrastructure as Demokritos’ greatest asset.
Interdisciplinary research serving society
Deputy Development Minister Stavros Kalafatis highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the practical application of digital research to societal challenges, including those in healthcare, the environment and culture.
He noted that bringing together different scientific disciplines gives Demokritos and the Lefkippos Technology Park a distinctive advantage. The proximity of researchers and businesses, he explained, creates opportunities for partnerships that translate scientific knowledge into innovative solutions and tangible benefits for society.
The new IIT building is expected to reinforce this model by bringing research, technological development and entrepreneurship closer together.
The New IΙΤ Building Strengthens Collaboration and International Outreach Across the Research and Innovation Ecosystem
Dimitris Terzis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation, highlighted the new opportunities created by the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT) building, as well as investments aimed at strengthening the country’s research infrastructure, stating:
“The new building of the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications houses Pharos AI Factory, which makes use of the national supercomputer DAIDALOS. It also accommodates an advanced data center, which will soon be connected to Lavrio via fibre-optic cable and will serve not only the needs of Demokritos but also some of DAIDALOS’s own requirements.
The facility we are standing in also symbolizes a series of major investments the government has made in research, using both national and European Union funding.”
Exploring the future of AI and telecommunications
The inauguration program concluded with two panel discussions showcasing the Institute’s research and examining opportunities to strengthen links between scientific knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The first panel, “Artificial Intelligence and Telecommunications: Shaping the Digital Future,” featured IIT researchers presenting different aspects of the Institute’s work in artificial intelligence and telecommunications.
The second panel, “Research, Infrastructure and Business: Building the AI Ecosystem,” focused on cooperation between the research community and the private sector, as well as on leveraging research infrastructure to develop innovative applications.
Source: National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”
