35 Years of ILSP | 4 November 2026 | Athens Concert Hall
The Institute for Language and Speech Processing (ILSP) was founded on 1 July 1991 with the publication of the relevant Presidential Decree in the Official Gazette.
Over the past 35 years, ILSP has played a leading role in the development of Language and Cultural Technologies. From the early digital language tools to contemporary Artificial Intelligence applications and advanced digital technologies for cultural heritage, ILSP continues to shape new ways in which research connects with society.
Invitation
On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, from 17:00, we are celebrating this remarkable journey with an anniversary event at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron). The event is open to friends, partners and anyone interested in discovering a vibrant ecosystem of research and technological excellence.
The Journey
ILSP’s journey began at the intersection of linguistics and computer science. In 1991, this interdisciplinary collaboration found its institutional home, driven by a mission that was exceptionally ambitious at the time: to establish the scientific and technological foundations for safeguarding the Greek language and ensuring its digital sovereignty. Over the years, pioneering technologies for machine translation, speech recognition and speech synthesis were developed. Computational dictionaries, text corpora and language analysis tools enabled computers to process the Greek language. At the same time, educational applications harnessed learning technologies, while research into sign language and accessibility led to innovative solutions supporting equal access to information. Related technologies were also applied to the management and processing of other forms of content, including images, audio and video.
A National Mission
ILSP’s presence in Xanthi and its subsequent merging with the Cultural and Educational Technology Institute (CETI) expanded its research scope. Archaeology and cultural heritage studies intersected with the natural sciences, computer science, and advanced imaging technologies. Archaeometry, digital archaeology, 3D scanning, photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) introduced new tools for studying, documenting, preserving and showcasing objects, monuments and archaeological sites.
Advancing into the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Today, this interdisciplinary tradition provides a strong foundation for harnessing the emerging capabilities of Artificial Intelligence. Large Language Models (LLMs), multimodal systems combining text, audio and images, advanced analytical methods, 3D digital twins and interactive digital environments are expanding the ways in which we approach language technologies and culture. These two fields have different starting points but share a common purpose: transforming scientific knowledge into digital innovation that delivers meaningful benefits to society.
The People Behind the Vision
Behind this journey are the people of ILSP and an extensive network of collaborations with research and academic institutions, cultural organisations, public bodies and businesses in Greece and beyond. Guided by the vision of ILSP’s founder, the late Professor George Karagiannis, and supported by the sustained efforts of hundreds of researchers, the Institute has transformed research outcomes into applications for education, culture, public organisations and businesses. Its achievements have also helped develop research infrastructures available to the scientific community and fostered new initiatives that bring innovation beyond the research laboratory.
The Celebration
On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at 17:00, we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of ILSP at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron). An opportunity to reflect on the journey that has brought us here and to envision the potential that lies ahead.
Register here to join the celebration.