Tag: AIF 2026
Samsung
The challenges of artificial intelligence in the modern labor market – Anna Efthymiou
New technologies are leading the way in the traceability of agricultural products and the operation of digital passports – Dimitris Diamantidis, Stratos Simopoulos, Xanthoula Eirini Pantazi,, Christos Ritzoulis
Academic Strategy and Administrative Innovation: Constantin Caratheodory (1873–1950) as the Architect of the “Restart” at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1930–1932) – Thanassis Christou
Konstantinos Carathéodory was one of the most emblematic figures of the Greek and European mathematical community of the twentieth century, not only because of his contribution to his scientific field, but also because of his decisive role in the administrative and academic reorganisation of higher education in Greece. Of particular significance was his activity at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki during the period 1930–1932, when he assumed a leading role in the “relaunch” of the institution as government commissioner.
His objective was to establish a modern academic environment that would link teaching with research and promote excellence as a fundamental principle of institutional operation. Through this strategy, he sought to strengthen the autonomy of Aristotle University at a time when, in its early years, the institution faced considerable difficulties arising from the political turbulence of the period. By way of illustration, one may mention the abolition, by decree of D. Aiginitis, of Law 3341 of 14 June 1925 of the Michalakopoulos government, “On the Establishment of a University in Thessaloniki,” only one year after its enactment, and the subsequent subordination of Aristotle University to the Academy of Athens.
His contribution to the formulation of University Law 5343 of 23 March 1932 was also of major importance. This law governed the fortunes of Greek Higher Education Institutions for half a century, until the introduction of Framework Law 1268 in 1982.
Promoting the Safety and Security of Research and Innovation in Greece and Europe – Stratos Simopoulos, Pantelis Tzortzakis, Alexandros Chatzigeorgiou, Nasos Nikolopoulos, Ara Tahmassian, Jennifer A. Ponting
Values as the Pathway to Vision by Antonis Potamitis
PlaneScapes
The exhibition presents the outcomes of the PlaneScapes design workshop, which explored the protection and enhancement of Thessaloniki’s centuries-old plane trees and proposed a unified walking route connecting them through the city’s historic center. The project activates elements of natural, tangible, and intangible cultural heritage while revealing hidden qualities of the urban landscape.
The four emblematic trees are located opposite the Portara in the Upper Town, beside the Turkish Consulate, at Navarinou Square, and near the White Tower. Although they meet the criteria for listed natural monuments, they remain unprotected.
These plane trees -more than natural features within the dense urban fabric- are living witnesses to Thessaloniki’s history, geography, and transformations. Their presence is linked to Ottoman neighborhoods, fountains, aqueducts, refugee settlements, archaeological traces, and forgotten underground water systems that continue to shape the city invisibly.
An experiential design workshop, including site observations, interviews and photographic documentation, became the basis for a new reading of Thessaloniki through these long-standing natural elements. Shade, water, movement, memory, and everyday urban life were treated as material for analysis and design.
Through mappings, drawings, and spatial proposals, the exhibition presents strategies for protecting and enhancing the trees and their surrounding public space. PlaneScapes ultimately proposes a different understanding of our cultural heritage and natural legacy: one rooted not only in monumental landmarks, but also in living landscapes that endure, remember, and continue to shape the future of the city.
Athina Vitopolou – Vanessa Tsakalidou
Associate Professors, School of Architecture AUTh
Journalism and AI: controversies, risks, and expectations
Journalism is always among the first professional fields in which major technological changes are tested, triggering large-scale and substantial transformations. Changing the tools is always the least significant part; the real challenge lies in adapting reliable and ethical journalism to new formats. Artificial intelligence has been present in journalism for many years. However, the democratization of its tools and its dominant expansion are causing yet another transition in the way journalists fulfill their mission.
Four media professionals from different backgrounds, whose work intersects with AI both theoretically and in practice, discuss the risks and controversial perceptions surrounding the dominance of this new working model. Their aim is to explore and highlight the paths that will allow journalism to approach new areas of innovation with genuine value and impact.
Hands on the Future: Robotic Surgery & Virtual Reality in Medical Training by SofMedica & ISLE Academy
Within the framework of the participation of SofMedica and ISLE Academy in the Medical Innovation Forum, in addition to the talks on robotic surgery and the role of artificial intelligence in medicine, a dedicated demonstration and training area will be set up next to the Ceremonial Hall of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where the Medical Innovation Forum will take place.
Specifically, a dual robotic surgery simulation station will be installed, including:
A da Vinci surgical console with the SimNow simulator.
The ERMIS VR system, developed by ISLE Academy, offering robotic surgery training exercises through Virtual Reality technology.
On 19 and 20 May, from 10:00 to 16:00, medical students of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will receive training on these systems. This initiative will give them the opportunity to engage directly with advanced simulation technologies and to gain a deeper understanding of the significance and future potential of robotic surgery in contemporary medical practice.
Στο πλαίσιο της συμμετοχής της SofMedica και της ISLE Academy στο Medical Innovation Forum, πέραν των ομιλιών που θα πραγματοποιηθούν σχετικά με τη ρομποτική χειρουργική και τον ρόλο της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης στην ιατρική, θα λειτουργήσει ειδικός χώρος επίδειξης και εκπαίδευσης δίπλα στην Αίθουσα Τελετών του ΑΠΘ, όπου θα διεξάγεται το Medical Innovation Forum.
Συγκεκριμένα, θα εγκατασταθεί διπλός σταθμός προσομοίωσης ρομποτικής χειρουργικής, ο οποίος θα περιλαμβάνει:
Χειρουργική κονσόλα da Vinci με προσομοιωτή SimNow.
Σύστημα ERMIS VR, το οποίο έχει αναπτυχθεί από την ISLE Academy, με προσομοίωση ασκήσεων ρομποτικής χειρουργικής μέσω τεχνολογίας Virtual Reality.
Στις 19 και 20 Μαΐου, από τις 10:00 έως τις 16:00, θα πραγματοποιηθεί εκπαίδευση φοιτητών της Ιατρικής Σχολής του ΑΠΘ στα παραπάνω συστήματα, δίνοντάς τους τη δυνατότητα να έρθουν σε άμεση επαφή με σύγχρονες τεχνολογίες προσομοίωσης και να κατανοήσουν καλύτερα τη σημασία και τις προοπτικές της ρομποτικής χειρουργικής στη σύγχρονη ιατρική πράξη.
