EU Launches AI Factories Initiative to Boost Innovation
Brussels, Sunday, 28 July 2024.
The European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is set to launch AI Factories with a €2 billion budget over two years. This initiative, starting September 2024, aims to enhance AI capabilities across Europe by providing access to supercomputers, storage, and support services for AI startups, SMEs, and scientists.
A Strategic Leap Forward
The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) is taking a significant step to bolster the AI landscape in Europe by establishing AI Factories. Announced in the EuroHPC Work Programme 2024, published on 26 July 2024, this initiative is aimed at fostering innovation and development in AI technologies. The rolling call for proposals, which will open in early September 2024, is expected to mobilize an overall budget of around EUR 2 billion over the next two years, equally shared between the Member States and the EU[1].
Empowering AI Startups and SMEs
The AI Factories will leverage existing, upgraded, or new EuroHPC supercomputers equipped with advanced AI capabilities. These supercomputers will be instrumental in training generative AI (GenAI) models, providing a robust foundation for AI startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and scientists. In addition to high-performance computing and storage services, the initiative will offer programming facilities, skills development, access to talent, and comprehensive user support services. This holistic approach aims to create a thriving ecosystem for AI research and development across Europe[1][2].
Operational Structure and Benefits
The EuroHPC JU’s Governing Board, which includes representatives from the EU, its Member States, and several other countries, is responsible for overseeing this initiative. The AI Factories are designed to be built around EuroHPC supercomputers, such as those hosted by the LUMI consortium. These supercomputers are expected to facilitate the training of large-scale AI models, which require substantial computational power and storage capacity[3]. The initiative also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts, as the AI Factories will be networked at the EU level, promoting synergy and resource sharing among member states.
Financial and Community Support
The rolling call for proposals will provide financial contributions to applicants for acquiring new or upgraded AI EuroHPC supercomputers. The first cut-off date for proposals is set for 01 November 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every three months. This continuous funding mechanism ensures that AI startups and other entities have ample opportunities to secure the necessary resources for their projects. The initiative is also expected to support the broader goals of the European AI Office, which aims to foster the development and use of trustworthy AI across the EU under the AI Act[2][4].
Building a Robust AI Ecosystem
The establishment of AI Factories is part of a larger strategy to position Europe as a global leader in AI innovation. By providing access to state-of-the-art computing resources and fostering an environment of collaboration and support, the EuroHPC JU aims to accelerate the development of AI technologies that can address critical societal challenges. The initiative also aligns with the broader goals of the AI Act, which seeks to ensure the safety, trustworthiness, and legal certainty of AI systems across the EU. This integrated approach is expected to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape while promoting ethical and responsible AI development[4][5].
Bronnen
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
- www.lumi-supercomputer.eu
- slator.com
- www.robert-schuman.eu