The new era of technology and trust passes through Thessaloniki
On October 24 2025, Alexander Innovation Zone (AIZ) welcomed Charles Hoskinson, Founder of Input Output (IO) and co- Founder of Ethereum και Cardano, during his visit to Thessaloniki to explore investment and technological opportunities.
The event kicked-off with Tamara J. N. Haasen, President of Input Output (IO), who highlighted Greece’s potential, emphasizing that “the country has beauty and authenticity.” She concluded her speech by briefly presenting IO’s vision for the creation of a new international campus of innovation.
Afterwards followed the Fireside Chat, in which President of AIZ, Prof. Panayiotis Ketikidis discussed with Charles Hoskinson, CEO and Founder of Input Output, about trends in blockchain technology and its role in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Charles Hoskinson addressed how Thessaloniki can evolve into a technological and business hub, thanks to its human resources, university community, and spirit of cooperation. As he noted, IO’s goal is to cultivate an environment where innovation, education, and entrepreneurship are closely linked.
Mr. Hoskinson also emphasized that blockchain technology can help restore trust in institutions, while presented IO’s transformation into a venture studio, a model that supports start-ups internationally.
“Complex problems require interdisciplinary approaches” he said, emphasizing that true innovation comes from collaborations between scientists, engineers, and social researchers who create human-centered solutions.
Next up was a panel discussion where Charles Hoskinson and experts in blockchain and artificial intelligence shared their thoughts on the future of technology. Specifically, the panel:
Coordinator: Dr. Simeon Veloudis, Associate Professor, University of York, Europe Campus
- Charles Hoskinson CEO & Founder Input Output (IO)
- Carlos R. Vargas-Monter VP of AI & Integra Input Output (IO)
- Prof. Konstantinos Diamantaras Professor at the International University of Greece
- Nikolaos Tsoniotis Product Director KINVENT
- Dr. Konstantinos Votis Researcher & Associate Professor at UNIC – Director of the Optical Analysis Laboratory at CERTH
Carlos R. Vargas-Montero emphasized that AI must be combined with critical thinking and wisdom.
Prof. Konstantinos Diamantaras referred to the term swarm learning (an artificial intelligence technique where many nodes/computers learn collaboratively without exchanging their raw data) and its importance for the development of machine learning, and raised the question of trust in these tools.
Nikolaos Tsoniotis stated that blockchain is clearly related to the trust that society has in it and that this trust is built consensually over time, while Dr. Konstantinos Votis presented blockchain as a supportive tool, worthy of trust for AI processes, arguing that these two technologies can work in combination.
In conclussion, AIZ President Prof. Panayiotis Ketikidis highlighted the importance of this event as a starting point for new international collaborations that strengthen the innovation ecosystem of Northern Greece, stating that:
“Real progress begins when we build systems that serve people—and where trust and values co-exist.”
Charles Hoskinson’s presence in Thessaloniki highlighted both the city and AΙΖ as landmarks on the European map of technological development.
You can watch the event on our YouTube channel:
Part 1: Introduction with Charles Hoskinson
Part 2: FIRESIDE CHAT Charles Hoskinson & Prof. Panayiotis Ketikidis
Part 3: Panel Discussion
