Europe Activates Its Swiftest Supercomputer, Jupiter, for AI and Climate Research Amplification

In a groundbreaking development, Europe's first exascale supercomputer, named Jupiter, has been unveiled at the Juelich Supercomputing Centre in western Germany. This colossal computing machine, spanning approximately 3,600 meters, or half the size of a football pitch, is set to revolutionise research across numerous fields.

Jupiter is Europe's most energy-efficient supercomputer, boasting the latest, most energy-efficient hardware, water-cooling systems, and waste heat utilisation for nearby building heating. It consumes an average of 11 megawatts of power, equivalent to the energy used by thousands of homes or a small industrial plant.

The supercomputer is a significant leap forward in European computing performance, according to Thomas Lippert, head of the Juelich centre. Jupiter is 20 times more powerful than any other computer in Germany, making it internationally competitive for training AI models, an area where Europe has traditionally lagged behind the US and China.

The construction and operation of Jupiter cost €500 million (RM2.5 billion), with half the funding coming from the European Union and the rest from Germany. The consortium responsible for building Jupiter consists of Eviden and German group ParTec.

Jupiter's primary use outside AI research is in climate and weather simulations. With its vast computing power, scientists aim to forecast climate up to at least 30 years, and in some models, perhaps even up to 100 years. Beyond training AI models, Jupiter has potential uses in creating more detailed, long-term climate forecasts, simulating processes in the brain for potential drug development, and research related to the energy transition.

One of the key features of Jupiter is its ability to simulate air flows around wind turbines to optimise their design, contributing significantly to research related to the energy transition. The supercomputer is also open to researchers across various fields and companies for purposes such as training AI models.

According to a Stanford University report, US-based institutions produced 40 "notable" AI models in 2024, compared to 15 for China and just three for Europe. With Jupiter, European researchers hope to bridge this gap and establish a stronger foothold in the AI sector.

In the report by Stanford University, it was also noted that US institutions produced 40 "notable" AI models in 2024, while China and Europe produced 15 and 3 respectively. With Jupiter, European researchers aim to close this gap and establish a stronger presence in the AI sector.

Jupiter's racks of processors are packed with about 24,000 Nvidia chips, a favourite in the AI industry, further enhancing its capabilities in this area. As Europe's first exascale supercomputer, Jupiter is poised to usher in a new era of technological advancement and scientific discovery.

Europe Activates Its Swiftest Supercomputer, Jupiter, for AI and Climate Research Amplification