December 10, 2024. The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) has selected seven proposals to build and operate the first AI factories across Europe. This is an important milestone for Europe in building a thriving ecosystem for training advanced AI models and developing AI solutions. The EU is now one step closer to realizing President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to setting up the first AI factories.
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The first AI factories will represent an investment of 1.5 billion euros, combining national and EU funds. Half of this amount will be funded by the EU through the Digital Europe program for AI infrastructure and Horizon Europe for AIF services. The selected AI factories will be located at leading research and technology centers across Europe:
The seven AI factories involve 15 member states and two EuroHPC participating countries. Portugal, Romania and Turkey have joined the BSC AIF; Austria and Slovenia have joined the ITA4LIA; and the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Poland have joined the LUMI AIF.
Five of the selected hosting sites will deploy brand new, world-class AI-optimized supercomputers, located in Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden. The AI factory in Spain will result from the upgrade of the existing EuroHPC MareNostrum 5 system. In Greece, an AI factory will be established and operated, connected to the DAEDALUS supercomputer, a EuroHPC supercomputer currently deployed in Greece. The AI factories in Spain and Finland will also have an experimental platform, providing a state-of-the-art infrastructure for developing and testing innovative AI models and applications and fostering collaboration across Europe.
These AI factories will more than double the EuroHPC computing capacity, meeting specific needs and strengthening European capabilities in AI. They will be deployed in 2025-2026.
Background
AI factories will bring together the key ingredients needed to succeed in AI: Computing power, data and talent. They will provide access to the enormous computing power that start-ups, industry and researchers need to develop their AI models and systems. For example, European large-scale language models or specialized vertical AI models focused on specific sectors or domains.
The AI factories will foster new industrial applications of AI and offer AI start-ups and SMEs the opportunity to grow in key strategic sectors for the EU, including health and life sciences, manufacturing, climate and environment, finance, automotive and autonomous systems, cybersecurity, agri-tech and agri-food, education, arts and culture, green economy and space.
AI ecosystems are expected to develop around the EuroHPC supercomputers, connecting universities and colleges, supercomputing centers, industry and financial players. This will combine excellence and talent with the financial capabilities needed for business development and scaling.
Next steps
Other Member States have shown interest in either joining the newly selected AI Factories or creating new AI Factories. The next deadline for Member States to submit further proposals for AI factories is February 1, 2025.
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👉 EuroHPC JU
👉 https://commission.europa.eu/index_de
Photo: pixabay
