With active participation in the 1st Arta Shopping Festival, organized by the Municipality of Arta on September 24–25, 2026, the Laboratory of Knowledge & Intelligent Computing of the University of Ioannina (Department of Informatics & Telecommunications, Arta University Campus) brought research and innovation closer to the citizens of Arta. The festival also featured activities involving local organizations and institutions, including the University of Ioannina.

During the two-day open information event held in the city center, the Laboratory team presented to the public and to students from local schools the European CRADLES project (Interreg IPA ADRION), which aims to restore and ensure the long-term preservation of critical wetland nursery areas in the Amvrakikos Gulf. Visitors learned about the importance of wetlands and lagoons for biodiversity and local fisheries, as well as how the team uses satellite data, drones, and machine learning methods to monitor these ecosystems.

The demonstration of the robotic dog used by the Laboratory for research purposes attracted particular interest from both children and adults, providing the public with an opportunity for a direct and engaging introduction to robotics and modern technologies.

The Laboratory’s participation in the festival highlighted the connection between society and the University: the research being developed does not remain confined to the laboratory, but reaches out to the city, informs citizens, and inspires the next generation.

Professor Chrysostomos Stylios participated in the SEEDA 2026 Conference, presenting the activities and innovative projects being implemented by our laboratory.

The presentation focused on two initiatives that contribute to regional development, youth entrepreneurship, and the circular economy:

• Youth Innovators Entrepreneurship Launchpad for Deep Tech (YIELD) – a platform for young people that provides empowerment and support, offering the necessary tools and guidance to transform pioneering ideas into sustainable business ventures.
• Cradles Interreg IPA ADRION (Creating Resilient Areas to Develop Lifecycles and Ecosystem Services): A project focused on creating resilient areas by promoting sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem services, and life cycles, with an emphasis on the green transition.

The CRADLES Interreg IPA ADRION transnational study visit was also successfully held on 15 and 16 September, with the participation of project partners from Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy.

On the first day, the partners boarded boats in Koronisia and explored the Logarou Lagoon, one of the most important wetlands of the Amvrakikos Gulf. The visit provided an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the area’s unique ecosystems and the management challenges they face.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the local fishermen of Koronisia for providing their boats and for their valuable contribution to documenting the challenges facing the area. Their daily interaction with the lagoon allowed them to share invaluable local knowledge and experience with the project partners.

On the second day, the University of Ioannina Library hosted a presentation of the results achieved by the CRADLES project to date. Our laboratory presented its contribution to the monitoring of the lagoons, using advanced remote-sensing technologies, satellite and drone data, as well as artificial intelligence methods to map and assess changes in wetland ecosystems.

The CRADLES Interreg IPA ADRION pilot action was successfully completed at the Amvrakikos Gulf Wetland National Park, taking place on 14 and 15 September.

Starting from Rodia, the project team boarded boats and explored the iconic Rodia and Tsoukali lagoons, two of the most important wetlands in the area. These wetlands host the early life stages of numerous aquatic species, as well as rare bird species that are vital to the biodiversity of the Amvrakikos Gulf. The lagoons function as natural “nursery areas”—critical habitats for reproduction and development—that support local fisheries and the ecological balance of the region.

The visit concluded at the carp hatchery in Psathotopi, where the team had the opportunity to learn firsthand about aquatic population management practices and their connection to the conservation of natural fish populations in the surrounding lagoons.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the local fishermen for providing their boats, as well as for their valuable contribution to documenting the challenges facing the area, drawing on their many years of experience and knowledge of the local environment.

This activity is part of the CRADLES pilot actions for the restoration and sustainable management of critical wetland ecosystems in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

With great success, the 2nd Stakeholder Meeting of the European project Cradles Interreg IPA ADRION (Creating Resilient Areas to Develop Lifecycles and Ecosystem Services) was held on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at 19:00, in Vigla, Arta. The project is co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.

The project is co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme and is implemented by 10 partners across 7 countries in the Adriatic-Ionian region, with a total budget of €1,716,167.85. Its objective is the restoration and long-term preservation of critical wetland areas, which provide habitats for the early life stages of numerous aquatic organisms and are essential for biodiversity and ecosystem balance. The project combines scientific research with modern mapping and monitoring tools—such as satellite data, drones, and machine learning—with traditional management knowledge. In Greece, the pilot implementation area is the Amvrakikos Gulf, where the University of Ioannina participates as a project partner.

The event was attended by representatives of local government authorities and members of the project’s scientific team, who informed the public about the project’s progress and results, as well as the monitoring and restoration activities being implemented in the wetland areas of the Amvrakikos Gulf.

The project’s Scientific Coordinator, Professor Chrysostomos Stylios (Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Ioannina), presented the project’s objectives, progress, and results achieved to date.

Greetings were delivered by Mr. Dimitris Evangelou, Deputy Mayor for Citizen Service Centres (KEP) and Planning of the Municipality of Artaion, and Mr. Apostolos Dimou, President of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Nikolaos Skoufas. Mr. Lampros Karatzas, Deputy Mayor for Circular Economy, Environment, Waste Management, and Municipal Police of the Municipality of Artaion, also addressed the event. The event was also attended by Mr. Dimitris Tziomakis, Municipal Councillor of the Municipality of Artaion.

Participants had the opportunity to exchange views and proposals with the research team regarding actions for the protection and management of the region’s wetland ecosystems, strengthening cooperation between scientific institutions, local government authorities, and the local community.

The Laboratory is pleased to announce the successful completion and public defense of the Ph.D. thesis by candidate Ms. Lamprini Pappa, entitled “Advanced Machine Learning Techniques for Data Analysis and Processing”, which took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 12:00, before the seven-member examination committee.
Warm congratulations to the new Doctor for her dedication, outstanding research work, and the high standard of her thesis. We wish her every success in her future academic and professional endeavors!

The Knowledge and Intelligent Computing Laboratory was present at the Metropolitan Expo, participating in the major technology and innovation exhibition BEYOND 2026.

We were there to explore how technology meets the real needs of the market and how our research can contribute to connectivity and development while addressing today’s challenges.
It was an excellent opportunity to exchange views with the industry’s most prominent representatives.

The Lab’s team actively participated in the proceedings of the 29th Panhellenic Conference on Informatics (PCI 2026), held April 24–26, 2026, wrapping up a two-day event filled with research and innovation.
During the conference:
🔹 We delved into AI applications in healthcare, education, and “smart” infrastructure.
🔹 We followed developments in quantum machine learning and cloud architectures.
🔹 Ph.D. candidate Dimitra Alexiou presented her thesis on comparing the performance of cryptographic algorithms (AES-GCM vs. Ascon-128a) at the server level.
It was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with the research community and showcase our lab’s work!

Students from the 6th Elementary School of Arta visited the Knowledge and Intelligent Computing Lab and got a firsthand look at modern technology applications!

They explored the city’s digital twin and watched a drone flight in real time, discovering how technology is transforming our daily lives.

The robotic dog demonstration thrilled the young visitors, as it showed them how robotics and artificial intelligence can contribute to a smarter and more creative world.

The event organized by the 1st High School of Preveza concluded with great success and impressive attendance, with the Knowledge & Intelligent Computing Lab making a strong showing.

Assistant Professor Vasiliki Liagou of the Department of Informatics & Telecommunications and Professor Chrysostomos Stylios shed light on critical aspects of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence through their presentations. Journalist Magda Tsegkou, while the contributions of MEP Eleonora Meleti, journalist Zoi Kronaki, and Yiannis Delimaris (Greek Hoaxes) offered valuable insights into combating misinformation.

The students’ questions regarding the professors’ presentations demonstrated that the younger generation not only keeps up with technological developments but also gives serious thought to security and reliability in the digital world.

Warm congratulations to the students and teachers of the 1st High School of Preveza for this initiative, as well as to the co-organizers (Municipality of Preveza, Preveza Regional Education Directorate, Europe Direct Epirus) for their excellent hospitality.