Filenews 20 October 2025
Cyprus is dynamically entering the European map of Artificial Intelligence (AI), following the approval of the Pharos CY project for funding by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, under the AI Factory Antennas call (HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2025-AIFA-01). The project is coordinated by the CaSToRC Research Center of the Cyprus Institute, which undertakes the creation of the first Cypriot High Computing Power (HPC) AI center.
The goal of Pharos CY is to serve as an AI Factory Antenna, offering artificial intelligence infrastructure, data, and tools to researchers, businesses, and public bodies. This success places Cyprus at the core of the pan-European drive for computationally enhanced AI, reinforcing the EU's goals for digital sovereignty and technological autonomy.
Collaborations and network of institutions
The project is supported by an extensive network of Cypriot institutions, such as:
the Centres of Excellence (biobank.cy, CARE-C, CYENS, CMMI, Eratosthenes, KIOS, Phaethon), the Institute of Neurology and Genetics, CYNET, the University of Cyprus and CUT.
Their participation ensures AI applications in sectors such as Health, Environment, Energy, Agriculture, Maritime, Culture, Language, and Digital Governance.
Strategic axis with Greece
Pharos CY is a continuation of the collaboration with the Greek AI Factory "Pharos" on GRNET, which utilizes the supercomputer "Daedalus". The two countries will develop:
- Large Language Models (LLMs) in the Greek language,
- Common databases and interoperable AI applications,
- Educational and research programs for a single Greek-language AI ecosystem.
Social and economic benefits
Pharos CY will allow :
- SMBs and startups to integrate AI into products and services,
- Researchers and students to gain access to supercomputers and big data,
- Public bodies to develop smart services in Health, Sustainability, Cultural Heritage and Language.
The selection of the project by EuroHPC JU recognizes the research excellence of the Cyprus Institute and strengthens the country's role in the new era of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI+HPC).
