The President of NCRTI, EY Partner and Partner of Komvos at the 65th anniversary event of NCSR “Demokritos”
George Nounesis, President of the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation (NCRTI), Partner at EY Greece and Partner of Komvos, took part in the 65th anniversary event of NCSR “Demokritos”, held on 29 September at the Athens Concert Hall.
NCRTI is the State’s institutional advisory body on research, technology and innovation, contributing to the formulation of the country’s strategic priorities in these areas.
Under the title “Demokritos: Future Forward – 65 Years of Research, Innovation, Education”, the event presented the Centre’s evolution and the directions shaping contemporary research and technology, with emphasis on their links to practical applications, the economy and society.
From nuclear research to the technologies of the future
George Nounesis took part, alongside the current Director and Chairman of the Board of “Demokritos”, Vangelis Karkaletsis, in the session “From Nuclear Research to the Technologies of the Future”.
Since the research nuclear reactor began operating in 1961, “Demokritos” has significantly broadened the scope of its activities. Today, its research covers, among other fields, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, advanced materials, semiconductors, energy and telecommunications.
George Nounesis served as Director and Chairman of the Board of NCSR “Demokritos” for more than eight years. During his tenure, he was associated with a period of organisational and technological transformation at the Centre and with the strengthening of its links to the wider innovation ecosystem.
The “Demokritos” campus is also home to Pharos, Greece’s first AI Factory, a project focused on accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence and supporting the development of related applications.
Innovation as a strategic choice
In his second contribution, George Nounesis spoke on “Innovation as a Strategic Choice: The Demokritos Experience and the National Perspective”.
He currently chairs NCRTI and is a Partner in EY Greece’s Consulting Services practice. His work includes emerging technologies and defence innovation.
Before taking on his current roles, he held a number of other institutional positions. He served as Chair of the NATO Secretary General’s Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies and as a member of the Board of the Hellenic Space Center.
He studied Physics at the University of Athens and holds a PhD from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota. He also completed three years of postdoctoral research at MIT’s Department of Chemistry and the “Innovation for Economic Development” programme at Harvard Kennedy School.
His career brings together academic research, the management of research organisations, public policy and, today, advisory work focused on emerging technologies.
How is George Nounesis connected to Komvos?
George Nounesis is a founding member and Partner of Komvos, participating in initiatives aimed at connecting scientific research with the economy, entrepreneurship and international networks.
The themes addressed at the “Demokritos” anniversary event are closely connected to this discussion. The issue is not only the production of new knowledge, but also what follows: how a research idea becomes an application, how it connects with businesses and investment, and how it can gain international reach.
The evolution of “Demokritos” is a characteristic example of this transition. The Centre has retained its research mission while expanding its activities into new technological fields and projects that are increasingly linked to the practical application of research.
For Komvos, this connection between scientific knowledge, applications, entrepreneurship and international collaboration is a recurring area of interest across initiatives in biotechnology, artificial intelligence and innovation.
The connection with the 4th Komvos Conference
The same issues will also be discussed at the 4th Annual Working Conference of Komvos, on Monday, 23 November 2026, under the title “Greece as a Hub for the Future” and the subtitle “Innovation, Synergy and Growth”.
Among the issues at the centre of the discussion will be how Greece’s scientific and technological capabilities can be connected with new applications, businesses, investment and international collaboration.
The journey of “Demokritos” from 1961 to today’s artificial intelligence infrastructure illustrates how the role of a research centre has evolved over the past 65 years.
From nuclear research to artificial intelligence technologies, the question is no longer only what Greek research can produce, but also how that knowledge can be put to broader use in the economy and in strengthening the country’s international presence.
