AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: Portugal was among the countries reportedly targeted in an attack on supermarket refrigeration systems, though no local incidents are known. Hackers exploited connected controls, raising food-safety concerns and prompting calls to update old firmware. AI Networks: Meo and Nokia are testing AI tools to help telecom networks design, monitor and optimize themselves. Medical Research: Infarmed approved Tilray Medical’s Cantanhede lab to conduct in-house quality testing, supporting faster release of regulated medical cannabis products. Digital Infrastructure: Megaport has launched automated network connections in Lisbon, linking local businesses to data centres worldwide. Clean Energy: Siemens will digitize Galp’s planned 100-megawatt hydrogen plant in Portugal.

Carbon-to-Chemicals Research: A new microbial reactor study, co-authored by researcher Inês A.C. Pereira, pairs waste glycerol from biodiesel production with captured CO₂ to make acetate, a useful industrial chemical. The lab work compares ways to deliver CO₂ to the microbes, a key hurdle for the technology. Cybersecurity: An attack that overheated refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets may have reached Portugal, according to a threat analyst. Authorities are investigating the incident, which caused fires and food losses and exposed the risks of poorly secured connected equipment. Digital Infrastructure: Megaport has opened network connections in Lisbon, linking Portuguese businesses to more than 1,200 data centres, cloud providers and networks worldwide. Clean Energy: Siemens is set to digitalise Galp’s planned 100-megawatt hydrogen plant in Portugal, bringing technology support to a major clean-fuel project. Marine Science: An exhibition in Lagoa spotlights the Pedra do Valado reef, showcasing research and conservation efforts at mainland Portugal’s first marine protected area created this century.

Renewable Hydrogen: Siemens will provide digital-twin and optimisation software for Galp’s planned 100MW hydrogen plant in Sines. The first phase is expected to start operating near year-end; its forecast output of 15,000 tonnes a year is not yet achieved. Prehistoric DNA: A Spain- and Portugal-led team found human DNA preserved on cave walls, including at sites across the Iberian Peninsula, opening a new way to study ancient visitors where bones are absent. Maritime Technology: NATO’s REPMUS exercise in Portugal is putting uncrewed maritime systems through their paces. AI Skills: Portugal must catch up in the AI race, a development bank chief warned; the 2027 state budget includes €1 million for AI. Digital Product Passports: A University of Minho and CITEVE study found 79.2% of surveyed Portuguese consumers had never heard of digital product passports, despite many considering clothing’s environmental impact.

Autonomous Systems: NATO’s REPMUS 2026 trials off Portugal showcased uncrewed maritime systems working together. The next challenge is restoring automated functions safely after they are restricted, with clear checks before systems regain authority. AI Investment: Portugal’s development bank chief says the country must catch up in AI. The 2027 budget sets aside €1 million for AI, while a new Porto hub aims to build data and AI expertise. Clean-Tech Manufacturing: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans a central electrolyzer-cell assembly hub in Portugal, adding local capacity for hydrogen technology. Defence Technology: Portugal is weighing US F-35s against European options to replace its F-16 fleet, putting a major technology and procurement choice in focus.

Autonomous Systems: NATO put uncrewed maritime technology through its paces at REPMUS 2026 in Portugal, testing how autonomous systems work together at sea. AI Push: Portugal must catch up in the AI race, the development bank chief warned, as Porto builds a Data & AI competence hub. Clean-Tech Investment: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans to establish a European electrolyser-cell assembly hub in Portugal. Defence Technology: Lisbon is weighing U.S. F-35s against European alternatives for its planned replacement of F-16s, while President António José Seguro has called for a stronger focus on European defence technology.

AI Push: Portugal’s development bank chief warned the country must catch up in artificial intelligence, as the 2027 budget earmarks €1 million for AI. Maritime Technology: NATO tested uncrewed maritime systems in Portugal at REPMUS 2026, showcasing technologies for naval operations. Clean Energy: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans to build a European electrolyser-cell assembly hub in Portugal, strengthening the country’s role in hydrogen technology. Rail Safety: Porto researchers are using AI and drones to detect defects in railway bridges. Water Pressure: A warning that data centres could put heavy demands on the Tagus River highlights the need to balance digital growth with water resources.

AI Race: Portugal must move faster to compete in artificial intelligence, the development bank’s chief warned, as the country’s 2027 budget sets aside €1 million for AI. Defence Technology: NATO’s REPMUS exercise put uncrewed maritime systems through their paces in Portugal, underscoring the country’s growing role in testing naval technology. Critical Materials: The EU named a Portuguese tungsten mine a strategic project, part of a wider push to secure materials for defence and industry. Rail Innovation: Researchers in Porto are using AI and drones to spot defects in railway bridges, while a new local hub aims to build expertise in data and AI. Ocean Science: The Ocean Race is moving its headquarters to Porto and plans a museum and education centre focused on ocean science and conservation.

Ocean Science: The Ocean Race is moving its headquarters to Porto, with plans for an ocean-racing museum and education centre, science programmes and three race starts from the city between 2030 and 2038. AI and Research: Portugal must catch up in the AI race, a development bank chief warned. Separately, University of Porto researchers are using AI and drones to spot railway-bridge defects. Critical Materials: The EU named the planned Borralha tungsten mine in northern Portugal a strategic project, part of a push to secure materials for European industry. Clean Energy: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans to open a central electrolyzer-cell assembly hub in Portugal. Maritime Technology: NATO’s REPMUS exercise in Portugal put uncrewed underwater and surface systems through harbour-protection tests, including tracking targets in rough, noisy conditions.

AI Adoption: Portugal’s development bank chief says the country is falling behind in AI, with adoption at about 11% versus 42% in Denmark. He urged Portugal to use its energy resources and digital infrastructure to attract investment and help businesses grow. Digital Gateway: On his Lisbon visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to subsea cables and data centres as reasons Portugal could serve as an entry point for American tech firms in Europe. Clean-Tech Manufacturing: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans to establish a European electrolyzer-cell assembly hub in Portugal, expanding the country’s role in hydrogen technology. Maritime Technology: NATO’s REPMUS 2026 exercise in Portugal put uncrewed maritime systems to the test.

Defence Technology: Portugal is weighing the US F-35 to replace its ageing F-16 fleet, while President António José Seguro argues Europe should buy and develop more of its own defence technology. AI Investment: The draft 2027 state budget includes €1 million for AI. Advanced Manufacturing: Selenis has acquired Greek production assets for installation in Portugal, aiming for more than 200,000 tonnes of specialty copolyester capacity by 2028; thyssenkrupp nucera also plans a European electrolyser assembly hub in Portugal. AI on the Rails: Porto researchers are using AI and drones to detect defects in railway bridges. Payment Resilience: Mastercard will require new European cards and terminals to support offline payments from 2027, following the 2025 blackout that disrupted digital payments across Portugal and Spain.

Space Research: The €4 million EU-funded THEOSCOPE Earth-observation mission brings the University of Coimbra together with partners in Bulgaria to develop high-resolution thermal imaging technology for uses such as farming, energy savings and emergency response. Clean-Tech Manufacturing: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans to build a European electrolyser-cell assembly hub in Portugal, adding domestic capacity for green hydrogen technology. AI on the Rails: Porto researchers are using AI and drones to detect defects in railway bridges, offering a new way to inspect critical infrastructure. Digital Infrastructure: Portugal has confirmed 44 new data centres but has not disclosed their locations; reports warn the projects could put added pressure on the Tagus River’s water supply.

AI Infrastructure: Porto researchers are using AI and drones to detect defects in railway bridges, offering a new way to monitor critical infrastructure. Clean-Tech Investment: Thyssenkrupp nucera plans its first in-house European electrolyser assembly hub in Portugal, adding local capacity for hydrogen technology. Digital Expansion: Portugal has confirmed 44 new data centres, but has not disclosed their locations; concerns are also growing about their potential water demands. Marine Research: The EU-funded Isla Bonita project will test ocean-restoration solutions in the Azores and eight other islands, backed by €16.2 million over five years. Critical Communications: Portugal’s SIRESP Innovation Challenge is inviting students to develop ideas for mission-critical communications.

Emergency Comms Innovation: SIRESP is running the SIRESP Innovation Challenge 2026, asking higher-education students to propose ideas for “emergency, security and mission-critical communications” via networks and systems. Submissions close 2 Nov, with finalists announced 13 Nov and pitches at a 26 Nov bootcamp; prizes reach €5,000. Clean Tech Manufacturing: thyssenkrupp nucera will build its first company-operated European electrolyser cell assembly hub in Vila Nova de Gaia, investing €10m–€14m and starting construction in winter 2026, with assembly from 2028. EV Charging Interop: Powerdot has integrated Plug&Charge with Hubject, enabling compatible EVs to start charging by plugging in—now supported on 7,000+ Powerdot points across several European countries. Rail Infrastructure Monitoring: Porto researchers are trialling drones plus AI to spot early deterioration in railway bridges, feeding a digital twin to guide maintenance. Energy Storage in Action: TagEnergy inaugurated a 240 MW/480 MWh battery project in France, feeding grid services after four months of operation. Wind Power Orders: Nordex secured 35 onshore turbine orders totaling about 228MW across Europe, with long service agreements. AI & Drones for Bridges: Digi4RailBridges targets earlier repairs by predicting deterioration and estimating remaining useful life. European AI Sovereignty Move: The EU Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative for a sovereign AI governance “.IA” digital space, aiming at high-trust frameworks and namespace protection.

Rail Infrastructure & AI: Porto researchers are trialling Digi4RailBridges, using drones, laser scanning and AI to spot early deterioration in railway bridges and feed a digital twin for smarter, earlier maintenance decisions. Energy Regulation Gap: A new report argues Europe’s power grid is digitalising faster than regulators can manage, as solar, EVs and heat pumps connect to low-voltage networks quicker than planning rules were built for. EU Digital Sovereignty: The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative pushing for a sovereign “.IA” domain for high-trust AI governance, with links to eIDAS 2.0, AI Act auditing and GDPR. Portugal Health & Language Access: Brazilian speech therapists say Portugal’s ACSS blocks them from practising unless they pass “European Portuguese” tests, sparking a “glottophobia” debate. Energy Storage in Spain: Zelestra and EDP signed new long-term PPAs to expand hybrid solar-plus-battery projects in Spain, adding 462 MWh of storage. Semiconductor Manufacturing in Portugal: Critical Manufacturing will showcase its factory intelligence platform at SEMICON West and SEMICON Europa, targeting wafer-to-package traceability and trusted AI. Cyber/AI Security: Multiple reports highlight AI agents and malware activity targeting systems, including SharePoint flaws and AI-driven intrusion attempts. Tech in Portugal: Rochester Electronics launched fully enabled localized e-commerce in Portuguese (Brazil) and other languages, aiming to speed up authorized semiconductor sourcing.

Portugal & Health: A Halloween-night case report from Guimarães and Porto describes a “ghost-shaped” mitral valve infection in a patient with intravenous drug use, highlighting how serious heart valve infections can escalate fast. Portugal & Climate/Marine Life: Research on offshore wind construction in Portugal points to pile-driving noise harming marine species, with impacts lasting days and recovery taking much longer. Portugal & MedTech: Smith+Nephew launched its CARTIHEAL AGILI-C cartilage repair implant commercially in Europe, with the product set to be featured at the ICRS Summit in Porto (Oct 8–10). Portugal & Consumer Tech: Oscal’s new 11-inch budget Android tablet, the Flow 2, is listed in Portugal with up to 2TB expandable storage and Android 17. Portugal & Space/Industry: Omnidea’s acquisition of Orbex assets is framed as a step toward building a local space capability base in Forres. AI Reliability: A new approach argues AI output trust should be tied to how often independent models agree, using disagreement as a practical triage rule. Aerospace: Embraer and Mahindra are planning for potential C-390 Millennium assembly in India (Nagpur). Energy/Logistics: A study backs road haulage capacity for Mozambique’s Amargosa export chain up to 11.5 wet Mtpa. Global Tech/Streaming: Titan OS brings SkyShowtime to Philips and Sharp smart TVs across 22 European markets including Portugal.

Cybersecurity in focus: Microsoft pushed out-of-band fixes for a high-severity Microsoft Exchange Server flaw (CVE-2026-96940) that could let authenticated attackers read other users’ mailboxes within the same organization. Portugal tech & business: SOFTSWISS hosted a Lisbon event on 2027 iGaming trends, with speakers from AWS, Google and others discussing AI, regulation and digital growth. AI infrastructure push: Jera, Dell Technologies and Rhaelm signed an MoU for “national scale” AI infrastructure in Japan, starting with a behind-the-meter Chiba project targeting operations around 2028. Space/defence investment signal: European defense tech is on track for a record $10.5B in venture funding by end-2026, with Munich leading the software-driven shift. Apple in Europe: Apple One Family and Premier prices rose in multiple European countries including Portugal. Health & risk watch: US Sec. of State Marco Rubio said the US is closely monitoring a suspected plague-related death in a Russian lab. Local innovation: Brightleaf Solutions expanded its multilingual AI contract extraction engine to include Portuguese.