{"id":26904,"date":"2025-10-20T13:33:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T10:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/?p=26904"},"modified":"2025-10-23T13:35:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T10:35:13","slug":"the-research-and-innovation-foundation-signs-strategic-mou-with-ai-hardware-leader-tenstorrent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/the-research-and-innovation-foundation-signs-strategic-mou-with-ai-hardware-leader-tenstorrent\/","title":{"rendered":"The Research and Innovation Foundation Signs Strategic MoU with AI Hardware Leader Tenstorrent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>A strategic partnership placing Cyprus at the forefront of Europe\u2019s AI and open hardware innovation, driving sovereign computing and sustainable technology development.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26902 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1032\" height=\"688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4.jpg 1032w, https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1032px) 100vw, 1032px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)<\/strong> has signed a <strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)<\/strong> with <strong>Tenstorrent<\/strong>, a <strong>global leader in AI hardware and open computing solutions<\/strong> based on <strong>RISC-V architecture<\/strong>. This MoU will significantly strengthen Cyprus&#8217;s position in the fields of AI, high-performance computing, and digital sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>The signing ceremony took place at the <strong>Presidential Palace on Friday 17, October<\/strong>, in the presence of <strong>Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Nicodemos Damianou<\/strong>, and <strong>Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irene Piki. The signing ceremony<\/strong> followed a high-profile meeting between H.E President Nicos Christodoulides and Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent.<\/p>\n<p>The MoU was signed by <strong>Mr. Demetris Skourides<\/strong>, <strong>Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus<\/strong> and <strong>Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research and Innovation Foundation<\/strong>, and <strong>Mr. Jim Keller<\/strong>, <strong>Chief Executive Officer of Tenstorrent.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>MoU is significant<\/strong> because it establishes a strategic partnership between Cyprus and Tenstorrent that will strengthen the nation\u2019s capacity in <strong>four key areas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Advancing AI and semiconductor design capabilities<\/strong>, enabling Cyprus to participate in Europe\u2019s growing open hardware and RISC-V ecosystem.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Building sovereign compute infrastructure<\/strong> that supports digital independence and compliance with the EU AI Act.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promoting academic collaboration and workforce development<\/strong> to nurture new talent in AI, microelectronics, and high-performance computing.<\/li>\n<li>Expanding public\u2013private cooperation to <strong>accelerate innovation and commercialisation across sectors <\/strong>such as energy, health, maritime, and defence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Tenstorrent is an AI chip and systems innovator delivering open-source, cost-effective alternatives to major GPU providers, and is the first AI chip company with world class capabilities that will be opening an office in Cyprus in 2026. This collaboration reinforces Cyprus\u2019s strategic goal to become a regional leader in AI innovation, digital sovereignty, and sustainable technology development, while aligning with European initiatives such as the EuroHPC and Chips Joint Undertakings.<\/p>\n<p>In his statement, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr Nicodemos Damianou, noted: <em>\u201cWhen we met at the Tenstorrent HQ in Santa Clara during the visit of President Christodoulides to the US last April, we spoke about two things: ambition and opportunity. The ambition of Tenstorrent to build the next generation of open-source, highly efficient semiconductors to power our AI future; our ambition to build the \u201cnext generation\u201d of a technology and innovation hub, not only regionally but globally, building on our country\u2019s many advantages and strengths. And the opportunity to develop sovereign AI capabilities in Cyprus through collaboration and a joined co-innovation platform. The Memorandum of Understanding being signed today stands as testament to our commitment to that very opportunity. I thank Tenstorrent for its trust and decision to invest with us in this shared vision.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, stated: <em>\u201cThis collaboration with Tenstorrent represents a defining step in Cyprus\u2019s technological journey and is a result of tech innovation diplomacy. It reflects our shared commitment to openness, excellence, and innovation that serves society. Tenstorrent\u2019s arrival sends a message that Cyprus\u2019s growing AI innovation ecosystem is now composed of a cutting-edge AI chiplet company with world class capabilities, and with AI, researchers, and more than 100 AI startups , technology companies and customers adopting AI as a strategic advantage\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Mr. Skourides added, \u201cAlthough this is the beginning of the journey, together, we are strengthening our national capacity in AI and semiconductor design, developing our ability to design and develop sovereign ai solutions \u2014 transforming Cyprus into a trusted node in Europe\u2019s technology landscape. Tenstorrent\u2019s arrival completes a major part of the capabilities required to create a competitive AI innovation ecosystem, enabling stakeholders to design and develop everything AI including sovereign AI platforms and autonomous solutions. This development is a game-changer that creates synergies with the world\u2019s most advanced organisation that is entrusting Cyprus\u2019 talent and R&amp;D capabilities.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, added: <em>\u201cWe are excited to collaborate with Cyprus, a country that shares our belief in open computing, innovation, and technological independence. This partnership opens the door to new opportunities for research, education, and the co-development of advanced AI and compute technologies that will benefit not just Cyprus, but the broader region and Europe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Evgenios Evgeniou, Chairman of Invest Cyprus, added: \u201cTenstorrent is the first AI Chip company establishing a presence in Cyprus since President Nicos Christodoulides\u2019 visit in Silicon Valley last April, and the third company from the United States that is entrusting Cyprus as a base for AI in Europe. Having an AI hardware player in Cyprus strengthens Cyprus\u2019 role as a tech hub and acts as talent attraction creating a brain gain effect.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<p>The signing ceremony represents the culmination of an extensive series of high-level engagements between Cyprus and Tenstorrent \u2014 a collaboration that originated from H.E. President Nikos Christodoulides\u2019s official visit to the United States, where he met Tenstorrent CEO Jim Keller in California. Following that meeting, Tenstorrent\u2019s leadership team undertook a series of visits to Cyprus throughout 2024 and 2025, led and coordinated by Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, and supported by the Deputy Ministry of Digital Policy, Research and Innovation, and the CEO of Invest Cyprus, Mr. Marios Tannousis.<\/p>\n<p>Meetings were held with Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irene Piki; Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Nicodemos Damianou; and the Research and Innovation Foundation, as well as Invest Cyprus, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), leading universities, and Centres of Excellence such as the KIOS Research and Innovation Center, CYENS, and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI).<\/p>\n<p>The signing ceremony was also attended by officials, ambassadors, distinguished guests, rectors and academics from Cyprus\u2019s leading universities, and representatives from the country\u2019s <strong>research excellence centres<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong> Their presence underscored the national importance of this strategic partnership and its potential to strengthen Cyprus\u2019s position in the global AI and semiconductor ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>Tenstorrent stands apart through its open-source hardware design based on RISC-V architecture, positioning it among the world\u2019s most innovative AI and semiconductor companies. Its technology enables democratised access to high-performance computing, making it a natural partner in Cyprus\u2019s vision for AI sovereignty, digital independence, and sustainable technological growth. Jim Keller is a world-renowned microprocessor engineer and technology leader, known for his pivotal role in designing the chips that power the iPhone and iPad at Apple, the groundbreaking processors at AMD, and the advanced hardware platforms at Tesla.<\/p>\n<p>The strategic MoU supports and enhances the implementation of the President&#8217;s &#8216;Vision 2035&#8217; for the Republic of Cyprus, the National AI Strategy, and the Minds in Cyprus initiative, which together aim to transform national research excellence into innovation-driven growth and global impact.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A strategic partnership placing Cyprus at the forefront of Europe\u2019s AI and open hardware innovation, driving sovereign computing and sustainable technology development. The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has signed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-26 13:32:14","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26904"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26904\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26906,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26904\/revisions\/26906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.research.org.cy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}