HETiA’s Emerging Tech Forum Highlights Semiconductors and EU Chips Act and Reveals Greece’s Tech Expertise from Big Data to Deep Tech
Athens
15.12.2023
On the 14th of December 2023, the 3rd edition of HETiA’s Emerging Tech Forum took place at the prestigious Grand Hyatt Athens hotel, marking another milestone in the cluster’s commitment to promote the national deep-tech potential of Greece. HETiA once again brought together visionaries, thought leaders, and industry experts in the heart of Athens. The forum served as a dynamic platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas, fostering collaboration, and propelling Greece further into the forefront of the global technology landscape. Participants delved into discussions that not only celebrated the progress achieved since the previous forum but also laid the groundwork for a future where Greece continues to thrive as a deep-tech innovator on the international stage.
In a pivotal moment for Greece’s expanding tech landscape, HETIA’s Emerging Tech Forum took center stage, with a dedicated focus on the EU Chips Act and its transformative potential for positioning Greece within the critical semiconductor value chain. Recognizing the unprecedented opportunities at hand, the forum hosted key stakeholders from the European Commission, the Greek government, industry leaders, and academia.
The forum has hailed and opened by the Minister of Development Governance, Mr. Kostas Skrekas, who emphasized that financial tools and a legal framework are forthcoming to facilitate the growth of the microchip industry in Greece.
Mr. Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director DG Connect EC, presented the European Chips Act’s impact on the semiconductor industry at the forum, and highlighted initiatives such as the Chips EU program for microchip production and the launch of a pan-European cloud design platform. He underscored Greece’s strong potential in the semiconductor industry and advocated for immediate measures.
The Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, presented the latest developments, showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence. He specifically highlighted the creation of the AI Body of Knowledge (AI BoD) and its pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape to improve citizens’ lives.
Meeting of HETIA with European Commission and Government representatives.
During the forum HETiA President, Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis, announced strategic MoU’s with NCSR “DEMOKRITOS”, and the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). The purpose of the agreements is the join definition of cooperation framework for potential collaborative R&D projects in the area of microchips, embedded and artificial intelligence.
The forum delved into crucial topics, beginning with a panel on the National Strategy for microchips, shedding light on the collaborative efforts and investments in semiconductors on a global, European, and Greek scale. The discussions extended to the mastery of complexity through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Twins, emphasizing their role in industrial innovation. Furthermore, the forum explored the transformative potential of 5G technology in ecosystems and various industry applications. Noteworthy presentations included insights into Greece as a fast-growing ICT and digital hub, discussions on innovation ecosystems in Greece and Europe, and an exploration of Industry 4.0’s intersection with cybersecurity. The forum also dedicated attention to the role of women in high-tech clustering in Greece, making it a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of the diverse facets of emerging technologies.
Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis, HETiA president made the following statement:
“We put a lot of effort to convene diverse stakeholders for this year’s forum, centering our discussions on Greece’s strategic role in the EU Chips Act. The well-structured agenda aimed to showcase our nation’s potential in the semiconductor value chain but also in the areas of emerging technologies like digital twins, artificial intelligence and cyber security. We want to thank all speakers, with special recognition for Minister of Development Governance Mr. Kostas Skrekas, Minister of Digital Governance Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou and Mr. Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director DG Connect EC for their pivotal contributions. We are grateful to our generous sponsors and commend our partners at Tsomokos Agency for organizing this high-quality event.”
For a comprehensive event summary of the Emerging Tech Forum, access the full recap on the HETiA YouTube channel (www.youtube.hetia) via this link: Emerging Tech Forum Video Playlist.
About the forum:
Held each year in downtown Athens is the emerging technologies ecosystem’s gathering event, targeting to create awareness for HETiA members to governmental actors and society, discuss developments and challenges and finally propose ideas on capitalisation of Greece’s competitive advantages in the global technological landscape.
About HETiA:
HETiA is the alliance of highly innovative industrial and academic performers, promoting digital technology proliferation and entrepreneurship in emerging technology domains. HETiA is the evolution of the Hellenic Semiconductor Industry Association that was launched in 2005.
