Artificial Intelligence: Workshop from the Region of Central Macedonia in collaboration with NBG Business Seeds and Microsoft

Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and the funding of innovators businesses is organized by the Region of Central Macedonia, through the Vice Region of Digital Governance, in collaboration with NBG Business Seeds and Microsoft.

The workshop on “Creation and financing of intelligent AI applications” will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm, in the meeting room of the Regional Council of Central Macedonia (26th of October 64, Thessaloniki – New Conference Center PKM).

This is a targeted workshop, addressed to developers, researchers and professionals who are interested in being informed about the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence as well as the funding possibilities for innovative business projects. The event offers a unique opportunity for networking with experts in the field of AI and with representatives of funds and organizations that support and finance entrepreneurship.

“The Region of Central Macedonia is at the front line of developments in the field of innovation and support for innovative entrepreneurship. Through actions, such as the targeted workshop that we are preparing, we strengthen the collaboration with leading institutions, with the aim of providing new entrepreneurs, developers, startups and researchers with the tools and knowledge they need, the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence, informing them at the same time about the financing possibilities of their business plans. It is important to pave the ground for the creation of innovative applications and ventures that will meet the needs of the market, but also to support the innovation ecosystem of our region. The Region of Central Macedonia will continue to invest in actions that promote digital transformation, technologies and entrepreneurship, creating the right conditions for the development of the local economy”, said the Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance Nikos Jollas in a related statement.

The program of the event about Artificial Intelligence

  • 17:00 – 17:20 Arrival
  • 17:20-17:30 Welcome-Start
  • 17:30 – 17:40

Demo: How to build an AI travel agent in 5 minutes using Azure AI services

Microsoft Lab: Build an intelligent AI application with the Semantic Kernel – Build intelligent applications that understand and process human language with the Semantic Kernel.

This workshop focuses on Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel Open Source framework and demonstrates how it can be used to build intelligent AI applications.

More specifically, the following topics will be developed:

  1. What is Semantic Kernel
  2. How prompts work with the Semantic Kernel
  3. Basic principles of Semantic Kernel Plugins
  4. How chunking is done with the Semantic Kernel
  5. How to implement the Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pattern, using the Semantic Kernel and the Azure AI Search service
  6. Introduction to Microsoft Founders Hub
  • 19:00-19:15 Break
  • 19:15-19:45 Startup Entry Level: The first steps

Coordination: Spyros Arsenis, Head of Innovative Entrepreneurship Development, National Bank

Brief presentation: Frangiskos Theophylaktos, CEO Elevate Greece (TBC)

  • Antonis Ilias, Head of OK!Thess
  • Kostas Tramantzas, Alexandria Innovation Zone
  • Dimitris Kourtesis, co-founder of Ideas Forward
  • Katerina Papadopoulou, head of the EKETA Technology Transfer Office
  • Nikos Theodorakis, former manager of Walk, AUTH
  • Konstantinos Fouskas, PAMAK
  • Fokion Tzourdas, General Manager i4byDesign

19:45-21:15 How I finance my startup

Coordination: Spyros Arsenis, Head of Innovative Entrepreneurship Development, National Bank

Brief statement: Manos Makromallis, President of SEKEE

  • Maria Goulaptsi, Innovation Support Department, PKM
  • Antonis Ilias, partner TECS Capital
  • Nicolas Karydis, Head of The People’s Trust
  • Christos Tramboukis, HEVAN
  • Nikos Takas, Thermi Venture Capital
  • Evangelos Kosmidis, CEO & General Partner Loggerhead Venture
  • Nikos Papanotas, CEO Geekbot

The event is an action of Smart Attica EDIH. With the support of ΑFI, The People’s Trust, Walk, AZK, HEBAN, APTH, PAMAK, OK! Thess, TECS Capital, EKETA, Loggerhead, DIPAE, Taka.