Inauguration in Lavrio
On Monday, 19 October 2026, the national supercomputer Daidalos (Δαίδαλος) was inaugurated at the Technology and Cultural Park of Lavrio, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in attendance. The system is housed in a new data centre created inside the former Lavrio Electric Power Station building. The project is described as one of the most important technology investments the country has made in recent years. Mitsotakis took part in a discussion with journalist Timos Kouremenos as part of the event.
Performance and ranking
The machine delivers a measured computing performance of 85.69 petaflops, which places it 31st worldwide on the TOP500 list of the most powerful supercomputers. On the Green500 ranking, which measures energy efficiency, it is 23rd. The project was carried out by the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET) with a total budget of €58.9 million. It is part of the Greece 2.0 National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Who will use it
Universities, research centres, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and public bodies will be able to draw on its computing resources. Researchers will run complex scientific simulations, process very large datasets and train advanced artificial intelligence models. The machine also forms the computing core of PHAROS, a Greek AI factory designed to pair high computing power with tools, expertise and services for building applications. Its power is expected to contribute significantly to medical research, climate science, energy, transport and industrial innovation.
Mitsotakis on AI and digital government
Mitsotakis argued that Greece has moved from lagging behind to leading.
“The journey of Greece from delay to leadership was and remains exciting.”
He pointed to digital governance, where he said the country leapfrogged states that had been ahead of it, and to the gov.gr platform launched in 2019 to simplify citizens' contact with the state. He described the country's data as 'fuel for the AI engine' and said its infrastructure now allows it to lead rather than chase the best performers. He said AI is effectively becoming the next stage of gov.gr and that tools given to teachers help them with their work. He warned that pupils who turn to AI for their homework may weaken their critical thinking. Mitsotakis said his own office uses AI and AI agents that condense information.
Investment versus extra spending
Mitsotakis criticised voices that want to spend money the country does not have, arguing that infrastructure investment matters more than additional current expenditure. He cited Themistocles' decision to channel silver mining revenue into building triremes, a choice he linked to the course of world history. Warning of dependence on outside providers, he stressed the risk of a situation where access could be cut off.
“If we do not invest ourselves in our own infrastructure, we will be exposed to someone's desire to cut off our access to these services.”
He said the importance of Daidalos may not be obvious to everyone today, but that it is the infrastructure that will lead Greece to 'the avenues of the future', a destination he said the country could not reach without such investment.
Looking ahead
Mitsotakis said Greece is at the beginning of a path shaped by artificial intelligence.
“We are at the start of a journey, and there will be many ripples from artificial intelligence.”
He identified the central challenge as how AI can make daily life easier while controlling its negative effects. In his view, the countries that handle the dilemmas of AI and limit its downsides will be the ones taking the big steps forward.