Tenstorrent’s strategic visit to Cyprus marks first step toward local presence

The Republic of Cyprus marked a significant milestone in its ambition to become a regional hub for advanced technology and research, as the Office of the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology hosted a high-level delegation from global AI chipmaker Tenstorrent.

Tenstorrent stands apart from competitors thanks to its open-source hardware design approach—a potential game-changer for Cyprus, which envisions an AI-first policy after 2028.

The delegation, led by Eric Duffy, Senior Director of Business Development, and Isaac Salameh, Senior Director of Corporate Development at Tenstorrent, visited Cyprus following a strategic meeting in California, USA, between H.E. President Nikos Christodoulides and Tenstorrent CEO Jim Keller. This visit marked Tenstorrent’s first direct engagement with Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem, offering what the Chief Scientist described as a “first snapshot.” It represents a concrete step toward transforming a shared innovation vision into a meaningful and executable partnership, with plans for Tenstorrent to establish a local presence in the near future.

“This visit confirms that strategic partnerships demand more than vision—they require commitment and execution,” said Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus. “Tenstorrent’s decision to engage directly with our ecosystem is not only a statement of intent, but the laying of a foundation to realize a joint ambition.”

The visit commenced with a meeting at the Presidential Palace, hosted by Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki and attended by Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou, Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, and Chairman of Invest Cyprus, Evgenios Evgeniou. During the meeting, Eric Duffy confirmed that the level of research excellence in Cyprus is high and that Tenstorrent executives and engineering teams would be returning in the coming weeks.

The programme of the visit—curated and led by the Chief Scientist’s Office in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry—was based on Tenstorrent’s input to identify, explore, and engage with the country’s talent base and research capacity. The meetings provided an in-depth view of the research underway in Cyprus, particularly in hardware, systems design, robotics, autonomous technologies, AI, and digital twins. Tenstorrent held meetings with the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, and Centers of Excellence including KIOS, CYENS, and CMMI, focusing on key sectors and industries. The delegation engaged with academic leadership, Heads of Engineering Schools, and engineers showcasing products, solutions, and digital twins developed in Cyprus.

The delegation also met with the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, who shared his vision for the city’s digital transformation and his interest in leveraging AI to support citizens. They also met Marios Tannousis, CEO of Invest Cyprus, whose support was instrumental in shaping the visit.

The engagement reinforces Cyprus’ broader national strategy, guided by Vision 2035, to drive sustainable economic growth through innovation and technology, including AI sovereignty. This includes a focused effort on "brain gain"—attracting highly skilled Cypriot talent from abroad—as well as investments in research excellence, ecosystem development, and international cooperation.

Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou added: “Tenstorrent is at the forefront of AI. Opening an office in Cyprus will create new jobs for local talent and attract highly skilled Cypriots from abroad.”

Demetris Skourides, who also chairs the National AI Task Force, said, “We are focused on leveraging AI factories and building strategic infrastructure through partnerships and government initiatives that accelerate R&D and innovation, invest in human capital, govern and leverage data effectively, and create an operational framework that supports integration and execution. This can only be achieved by cultivating an ecosystem that connects innovators, builders, orchestrators, and consumers—while also introducing sovereign AI capabilities. Tenstorrent opening an office in Cyprus will be a game changer for both research organizations and industry.”

The Office of the Chief Scientist extends its sincere thanks to all researchers, institutions, and partners involved and looks forward to deepening collaboration with Tenstorrent and other leading technology companies.