In the eighth episode of our HPC podcast, the spotlight is on Craig Prunty, VP Marketing of our project partner organisation SiPearl. Craig talks about the European Processor Initiative, the impact developing low-power European processors has on extreme scale computing and high-performance applications, and how this is related to EXCELLERAT P2.

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Credits:
Jingle/Song by freesfx.co.uk
Image by Austin Distel @unsplash.

This podcast is powered by EXCELLERAT (www.excellerat.eu). Funded by the European Union. This work has received funding from the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (JU) and Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and France under grant agreement No 101092621.

HPC Podcast E08 - The European Processor Initiative

Something big is coming for science—the largest by far academic supercomputer in the U.S., called Horizon, as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation Leadership-Class Computing Facility (NSF LCCF), a project awarded to the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC).

In July 2024, the NSF announced that TACC will begin construction of the NSF LCCF, which will be a distributed facility with six partners providing unique computational and data analytics capabilities, as well as critical software and services, for the nation’s science and engineering research community to enable discoveries that would not be possible otherwise.

TACC will build and operate the Horizon supercomputer as part of the NSF LCCF. When it comes online in 2026, the supercomputer will be 10 times as powerful as the current leading academic supercomputer in the U.S.—Frontera—also operated by TACC.

On the podcast to discuss the NSF LCCF and Horizon supercomputer is Dan Stanzione, executive director of TACC and principal investigator of the NSF LCCF. 

Highlights from the podcast include:

•	The NSF has elevated the LCCF, a computing facility with sustained, large-scale funding, to be on par with other large, strategic scientific initiatives such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
•	The LCCF will have partners distributed throughout the country, including Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative at the AUC Consortium, a collaboration of four historically Black colleges and universities: Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine; National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, a joint center of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh; San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California San Diego; Cornell University; and Ohio State University.
•	The Horizon supercomputer will be a key universal instrument for a wide range of scientific domains, helping scientists investigate nature in time steps from the picoseconds of atoms to the gigayears cosmological galaxy clusters.
•	TACC is currently constructing Horizon with Sabey Data Centers in Round Rock, Texas, scheduled to come online in early 2026.
•	Horizon will support traditional 64-bit HPC computation as well as have a large supply of lower precision graphics processing units (GPU) tailored especially for artificial intelligence.
•	Horizon is expected to achieve 400 petaflops of HPC performance, about 10 times that of the NSF Frontera system, and the AI component will deliver 100x of Frontera performance.
•	The AI GPUs will offer tremendous power savings compared to the traditional HPC central processing unit (CPU) architecture.
•	The LCCF will offer workforce training opportunities with partners such as Moorehouse College, as well as other education and outreach services serving K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students through camps, internships, fellowships, and more.
•	Horizon will be used by academic researchers awarded allocations through a process similar to NSF Frontera awards.
•	Supercomputers bridging the gap at TACC between Frontera and Horizon include Stampede3 and Vista, which launched in 2024, as well as Lonestar6, launched in 2022.

New Heights: The U.S. NSF Leadership-Class Computing Facility and Horizon

Middle East AI News Minute - an artificial intelligence news roundup - brought to you by Carrington Malin - Marketing for an AI First World. In this podcast: KAUST brings back the Middle East's first Gordon Bell Prize; QSTP AI Week 2024 begins tomorrow; Al-Baha municipality takes Noura the robot to Riyadh.

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KAUST brings back the Middle East's first Gordon Bell Prize

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electronic design automation (EDA), the intersection of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and semiconductor technology is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation. This episode recording around SuperComputing '24 offers an in-depth exploration of how cutting-edge technologies are transforming chip design, addressing critical challenges in computational efficiency, sustainability, and time-to-market strategies. Hear insights from industry experts Bikash Choudhury and Don Poorman to dive deeper into a comprehensive look at the complex world of electronic design and the impact of artificial intelligence joined with the Pure Storage all-flash platform.

We delve into the basics of EDA, helping listeners understand the critical role of silicon chip design in our tech ecosystem. Next, we explored the challenges facing modern semiconductor development, from power consumption and cooling requirements to the intricate workflows that bring new technologies from concept to reality. The discussion highlights the growing importance of AI in streamlining design processes, reducing computational overhead, and enabling more sophisticated and efficient chip architectures.

Pure's innovative solutions take center stage as the conversation moves to how advanced storage technologies can address the massive data and computational demands of contemporary EDA workflows. Further, learn from Bikash how the tangible benefits of intelligent storage solutions accelerate chip design, reduce environmental impact, and provide scalable computing resources. 

For more information on Pure Storage and EDA solutions: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/industries/eda.html

Silicon Crossroads: Where EDA Meets AI and Flash Data Storage

Welcome to the exciting world of AI with your host, Shailendra Kumar, also known as Shaily! 🎙️ Today, we're exploring the revolutionary Nvidia Blackwell Ultra, a supercomputing platform that's making waves in the tech community. Imagine a future where AI can think and make complex decisions on its own—well, that's what Blackwell Ultra is all about! 🤖✨

This incredible platform is designed to enhance AI reasoning and agentic AI, allowing machines to autonomously plan and execute multi-step solutions. At the heart of this technology is the impressive GB300 NVL72 system, which features 72 Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 Grace CPUs. This setup operates almost like a single, gigantic GPU, marking a monumental leap in computing power—think of it as upgrading from a bicycle to a Formula 1 car! 🏎️💨

On the performance side, the Blackwell Ultra GPUs come equipped with 50% more high-bandwidth memory, significantly boosting 4-bit floating point inference. The advancements in Nvidia's rack-scale platforms promise performance enhancements that are absolutely astounding—comparable to the thrill of a virtual rollercoaster that surpasses reality! 🎢😲 This technology represents a major breakthrough in AI throughput and accuracy while minimizing latency through cutting-edge networking solutions.

Looking ahead, these innovative technologies are set to hit the market in the latter half of 2025, with major players like Dell, Amazon, and Google Cloud already in partnership with Nvidia. Furthermore, Nvidia is taking proactive steps to bolster its manufacturing capabilities within the US, addressing longstanding supply chain challenges and paving the way for a staggering $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure. It's like witnessing a modern-day David vs. Goliath saga, where every participant is a Goliath in their own right! 💪🌍

As a bonus tip, keep your eyes peeled for Nvidia’s future plans, including the anticipated Rubin Ultra set to launch in 2027, which promises to push AI capabilities even further! 🚀

As we conclude today's discussion, remember this thought: "In the AI world, today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s reality." And yes, that quote is freshly minted from yours truly! 😄

Don't forget to connect with Shaily on various social media platforms—YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Medium, and more! Your thoughts and feedback are welcome, so feel free to comment or send a message. And of course, subscribe for more breaking AI news because staying informed today leads to a smarter tomorrow! 📲🌟

Stay curious and innovative, my friends! Until next time, keep those intriguing questions coming that will help shape our future! 🌈💡

Nvidia's Blackwell Ultra: The Future of AI Supercomputing Unleashed

Hey there! 👋 You’re tuned into AI with Shaily, hosted by Shailendra Kumar — your trusted guide to the latest in artificial intelligence and tech innovation. Today, Shaily is diving into an incredible breakthrough in supercomputing that’s shaking up Europe and the world: the unveiling of JUPITER, Europe’s newest and fastest supercomputer! 🚀💻

On September 5, 2025, at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany, Europe proudly introduced JUPITER — a beast capable of performing over one quintillion calculations per second! To give you an idea, that’s like harnessing the power of 10 million modern desktop computers or a million smartphones all working together. 🌍⚡ This powerhouse now ranks fourth globally, marking a significant leap forward for Europe in the fiercely competitive AI landscape.

But JUPITER isn’t just about raw speed. What truly sets it apart is its versatility. It combines AI training and massive simulations seamlessly, powered by NVIDIA’s cutting-edge Grace Hopper Superchips and Quantum-2 InfiniBand technology. Imagine a Swiss Army knife 🛠️ for researchers tackling some of humanity’s toughest challenges — from climate modeling and renewable energy innovations to quantum computing and advanced materials design. Even digital twins, those virtual replicas that help industries optimize their processes, are part of its impressive toolkit. 🌱🔬⚛️

Here’s the real game-changer: JUPITER is the world’s most energy-efficient supercomputer! It runs entirely on renewable energy, uses advanced cooling techniques, and cleverly recycles energy — topping the Green500 list for sustainability. 🌿💡 This means Europe is not only accelerating AI progress but doing so responsibly, balancing power with planet-friendly practices.

Why is this so important? For Europe, JUPITER symbolizes strategic sovereignty. Its platform architecture keeps data close to home, ensuring security and control over critical research and innovation. Already, 33 research teams across Europe are harnessing JUPITER’s power for projects ranging from climate forecasting to cutting-edge simulations, including collaborations with institutions like the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. 🌐🔒

Shaily reflects on his own AI journey, recalling how early enthusiasm was sometimes limited by infrastructure. Now, with milestones like JUPITER, there’s real hope that innovation will be fueled by both talent and unmatched computing muscle. 💪✨

For all you AI enthusiasts, here’s a pro tip: always consider the computational footprint of your projects. Efficient infrastructure, like JUPITER’s, isn’t just about speed — it’s essential for sustainable AI development. This European marvel teaches us that performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. 🌍🤖

To leave you with a thought: How will access to such powerful and sustainable computing resources shape the future of AI innovation — not just in Europe, but globally? 🤔🌏

As Alan Turing wisely said, “We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.” JUPITER is a giant leap toward that promising future.

Want to learn more about AI breakthroughs? Connect with Shailendra Kumar on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium. Don’t forget to subscribe or follow to stay updated! And hey, share your thoughts on this supercomputer revolution — Shaily loves hearing from you. 💬📲

This is Shailendra Kumar signing off from AI with Shaily — powering your curiosity, one byte at a time. ⚡🔍

JUPITER Unleashed: Europe’s Supercomputer Revolution in AI and Sustainability

The Middle East AI News Minute gives you a daily one-minute daily briefing on the top AI-related stories coming out of the Middle East. If you are a busy technology, business or government leader who want to get a quick update, then this is the podcast for you.

Unlock the secrets of data mastery with Shailendra, a 27-year veteran in AI, ML, and Data Science, driving AU$ 6 Billion in transformative value. As the author of 'Making Money out of Data,' their strategies redefine digital success. With expertise honed at IBM and Accenture, they drive innovation and data monetization. Explore how loyalty programs like Flybuys and Everyday Rewards revolutionize business—connect with Shaily today.

Bringing you direct access to Pure Storage thought leaders, technology experts, alliance partners, customer insights, and our latest product news.

The EXCELLERAT project bundles knowledge on HPC in engineering and offers service solutions for industry and research. One focus of EXCELLERAT lies on engineering solutions for aeronautics and the automotive sector. It caters for the need to provide the necessary knowledge, computational power and infrastructure to tackle the ever rising complexity of scientific and development endeavors alike.

The Supersized Science podcast highlights research and discoveries nationwide enabled by advanced computing technology and expertise at the Texas Advanced Computing Center of the University of Texas at Austin. TACC science writer Jorge Salazar hosts Supersized Science.

Supersized Science is part of the Texas Podcast Network, brought to you by The University of Texas at Austin. Podcasts are produced by faculty members and staffers at UT Austin who work with University Communications to craft content that adheres to journalistic best practices. The University of Texas at Austin offers these podcasts at no charge. Podcasts appearing on the network and this webpage represent the views of the hosts, not of The University of Texas at Austin.

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