Western Macedonia launches digital transformation plan and AI Factory auction

The Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, Georgios Amanatidis, and Deputy Governor for Transparency, Electronic Governance & Digital Transformation, Anastasios Rafailidis, announced the start of a public consultation on the “Strategic Plan for Digital Transformation of the Region of Western Macedonia”. The consultation runs from 10 July to 10 September 2026 and invites citizens, businesses, scientific and production bodies, and the academic community to submit comments and proposals. The plan, prepared with the University of Western Macedonia, sets out strategic directions for modernising public services, boosting the regional economy and improving quality of life.

Among the initiatives outlined in the plan is the planned auction of an artificial‑intelligence manufacturing hub (“AI Factory”) by the end of 2026, together with the establishment of Living Labs and four knowledge units at the university. The governor emphasized that “we must follow new data and create conditions so our fellow citizens get more in less time with the contribution of new technology”. The consultation aims to refine the plan before its final adoption in September 2026.