The event “Artificial Intelligence | AI in Practice: Solutions, Businesses & Startups”, organized by the University of York Europe Campus at its new campus in Oreokastro on Thursday, May 7, 2026, was a great success, with the support of Alexander Innovation Zone.
Dr. Theodouli (Lia) Terzidou, IT Executive at Alexander Innovation Zone S.A. & Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPY, Macedonia-Thrace Branch, had the honor of moderating a high-level discussion featuring distinguished speakers from the fields of technology (including cloud computing and cybersecurity), applied research, entrepreneurship, and the startup ecosystem, who analyzed how Artificial Intelligence is gradually transforming business, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. More specifically, the panel speakers were:
- Yiannis Touliatos, Senior Cloud Architect (Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence), Microsoft
- Dr, Dimitrios Tzovaras, Director of Research at EKETA/IPTIL, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of EKETA
- Kostis Kaggelidis, CEO, Gnomon Informatics
- Angelina Bintoudi, Co-founder & CEO, Optimems.
The discussion focused on the critical and highly relevant question: How can small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and organizations put artificial intelligence to practical use?
Key takeaways from the discussion:
- Artificial intelligence is already a tool of the present. The question is no longer whether it will be utilized, but how it can be used effectively and to great benefit for every organization.
- The biggest challenge is often not the technology but knowledge. A lack of familiarity with it and fear surrounding its use highlight the need for more education and AI literacy, as well as the cultivation of critical thinking.
- Everything doesn’t have to be “ready” to launch a business. Small, targeted trials (pilot projects) and simple first steps can yield quick results.
- The safe use of AI is essential from the start. Issues such as cybersecurity, data protection, and the phenomenon of Shadow AI (uncontrolled use of AI tools by employees) require proper guidance and clear rules.
- AI can become a competitive advantage for SMEs and startups. Through collaborations with the research community, the right choice of tools, and practical steps, businesses can leverage the technology for greater productivity and innovation.
The enthusiastic participation and the very engaging discussion with the audience highlighted the strong interest in further initiatives focused on the practical application of Artificial Intelligence. The event left the field open for a follow-up, with new thematic discussions and more specialized activities with an even more practical focus.
