Beyond 2025: Dynamic participation of EKT in the largest digital technology and innovation meeting

The International Exhibition of Digital Technology and Innovation - BEYOND 2025, titled "AI Reality Bites," successfully concluded with high participation and numerous significant events, held from April 4-6, 2025, at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition center in Athens. The National Documentation Centre (EKT) had a dynamic presence at BEYOND 2025, participating in the public dialogue about the challenges and opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence, while highlighting the organisation's contribution to digital transformation and support for the Greek innovation and technology ecosystem.

ΕΚΤ actively participated in the exhibition at the Ministry of Digital Governance's booth. Additionally, Dr. Kyriakos Tolias, Director of EKT, participated in a special event-discussion on Artificial Intelligence organized by the Innovation Business Observatory (IBO) of Crete Region, as well as in a PCG/AWS event about the benefits of using AI assistants. During the exhibition, he presented two Greek ICT Awards to companies that stood out for their innovation. Finally, Anastasia Sarchosoglou, Innovation Consultant, Enterprise Europe Network Hellas, EKT, participated in a special event on "New Technologies in the Agri-food Sector."

After four successful events in Thessaloniki, the fifth consecutive BEYOND with the theme "AI Reality Bites" was hosted in Athens. The International Exhibition - BEYOND represents the premier meeting point for the region's brightest minds, most innovative companies, and cutting-edge technologies.

From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, the exhibition serves as a networking hub, facilitating knowledge exchange and practical experience with pioneering innovations. BEYOND's goal was to promote collaboration and exchange of knowledge and ideas among participants and to enhance the development of innovative technologies and business opportunities.

BEYOND 2025 focused on addressing the practical and sometimes harsh realities of artificial intelligence as it becomes integrated into various aspects of society.

EKT at the Ministry of Digital Governance booth

Throughout the exhibition, EKT maintained an active presence at the Ministry of Digital Governance booth - along with other supervised entities of the Ministry, such as the Hellenic Cadastre, GRNET, the Hellenic Space Center, Information Society, and IDIKA, informing visitors about the organization's activities and services. Specifically, the EKT activities presented at the exhibition covered:

• Digital organization and dissemination of Science and Culture knowledge and data
• Connecting Research with Production
• Statistical measurement of Greek research and development activity outcomes
• Documentation of Research, Development, Innovation, and Digital Governance policies

Visitors to the booth had the opportunity to navigate through a space rich in interactive media, and engage with the Greek Public Sector's digital services, as well as with the projects being designed and implemented by the Ministry's supervised organisations.

"The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Innovation Ecosystems" Event

Dr. Kyriakos Tolias, Director of EKT, had a productive participation in the event "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Innovation Ecosystems," organized by the Innovation Business Observatory (IBO) of Crete Region, as part of BEYOND 2025, on Saturday, April 5.

Dr. K. Tolias and Stavros Kaoukakis, Digital Transformation Advisor of the Observatory, discussed the challenges and opportunities that Artificial Intelligence creates in innovation ecosystems, focusing on Crete's innovation ecosystem.

During the discussion, the Director of EKT highlighted the organisation's strategic role, actions, services, and vision in supporting the national and regional innovation ecosystem through the utilization of artificial intelligence and open data. He particularly emphasized the importance of providing and utilizing quality data as a foundation for developing innovative solutions and services, noting that data availability is a key driver for developing specialized, vertical solutions that respond to user needs and local economies.

The event also included presentations by Chrysa Daskalaki, General Director of Development Planning of the Region of Crete, and Antonis Papaderakis, Innovation Advisor of the Region of Crete, who presented Crete's innovation ecosystem and the Observatory's activities, as well as AI services and applications being developed by businesses and laboratories in Crete.

"Enhancing Knowledge at EKT with Secure Artificial Intelligence Assistants on AWS Bedrock" Event

As part of the Beyond Expo parallel events, Dr. Kyriakos Tolias participated in the PCG/AWS event titled "Enhancing Knowledge at EKT with Secure Artificial Intelligence Assistants on AWS Bedrock," which took place on Saturday, April 5.

In conversation with Thanasis Politis (PCG/AWS), he presented the enhancement of knowledge at EKT through Secure AI Assistants, utilizing the AWS Bedrock environment as a means of empowering the organisation's people. The discussion highlighted the benefits of using the EKT GenAI Assistant, a platform that utilizes advanced AI models, is specially designed for EKT's internal users' requirements, and offers security, speed, and accuracy while keeping all data within the organisation.

"New Technologies in the Agri-food Sector" Event

EKT, represented by Anastasia Sarchosoglou, Innovation Consultant, Enterprise Europe Network Hellas, participated in the Panel discussion on "New Technologies in the Agri-food Sector," organised by ACCI (Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and the Athens Business Incubator (THEA) on Sunday, April 6.

The discussion focused on technological developments that are transforming the agri-food sector and the possibilities for innovative, digital, and sustainable solutions in agriculture.

The panel also included representatives from two companies that collaborate with EKT within the Enterprise Europe Network framework: WINGS ICT Solutions and AGROSPRAY DRONE SOLUTIONS.

Greek ICT Awards

The BEYOND 2025 Exhibition also hosted the Greek ICT Awards ceremony, organized by MetaTeam. EKT Director Dr. Kyriakos Tolias, a member of the Awards Evaluation Committee, presented two significant distinctions at the GREEK ICT AWARDS. Specifically, he presented the award to UBITECH for its distinction in the "Digital Governance - Civil Apps & Platforms for Citizens" category and to EPSILON NET GROUP – EPSILON SINGULARLOGIC for its award in the "Platforms & Apps for Enterprise" category. Both implementations stood out for their innovation and practical contribution to digital transformation.

The Greek ICT Awards showcased a wide range of applications utilizing cutting-edge technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced digital tools, making a decisive contribution to the evolution of businesses and public entities. A total of 17 distinctions were awarded to Institutional Bodies and Digital Application Companies from Athens and Thessaloniki.

BEYOND is organised by TIF – HELEXPO, Be-Best, and Industry Disruptors Game Changers (IDGC), with co-organisers including the Ministry of Digital Governance, the Ministry of Development, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), and the Municipality of Thessaloniki. It is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and the Region of Attica. BEYOND is supported by SEPE, SETPE, SEKEE, and HETIA.