The European exascale supercomputing landscape is poised to undergo a significant transformation with the launch of the Gauss AI Compute Competition, a collaborative initiative between the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Württemberg, and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.
This competition, organized by the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing and the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, aims to foster innovation in artificial intelligence by providing research groups and companies with exclusive access to JUPITER, the first European exascale supercomputer, capable of exceeding one quintillion computing operations per second.
With its unparalleled processing power, JUPITER is expected to become one of the fastest AI computers globally, bolstering Germany’s position as a leader in AI technology development and application while driving advancements in generative models and contributing to groundbreaking research in various fields, ultimately strengthening the German and European AI ecosystem and yielding sustainable benefits for society.
Introduction to the Gauss AI Compute Competition
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), along with other German ministries, is launching a competition in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) for research groups and companies. This initiative, known as the Gauss AI Compute Competition, aims to advance the development of new generative models using AI on the first European exascale supercomputer, JUPITER. The competition is being organized by the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) in collaboration with the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC). The primary objective is to promote projects that effectively utilize JUPITER’s powerful technology while demonstrating a high level of societal impact.
The call for submissions starts on January 17, 2025, and ends on March 17, 2025. Interested scientists working at German universities, colleges, or other research institutions are invited to participate. Additionally, commercial companies that collaborate with German educational and research institutions can also take part, as can federal, state, and local administrations and other social organizations. To support applicants in preparing their proposals, GCS offers test access to its high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
The Gauss AI Compute Competition is designed to strengthen Germany’s role in the international development and application of AI technologies. By providing exclusive access to JUPITER for a limited period, researchers can train new fundamental models for AI applications that contribute to important research areas. This initiative supports the development and expansion of the German AI ecosystem, enhances technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe, and increases efficiency in science and industry.
Technical Specifications of JUPITER
JUPITER is the first European exascale supercomputer launched at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) at Forschungszentrum Jülich. It is expected to achieve one exaFLOP/s with double precision (64 bits), which is typically required for scientific simulation calculations. For training AI models, JUPITER is expected to achieve even more than 70 ExaFLOP/s – for calculations that require lower precision (8 bits). This makes JUPITER one of the fastest AI computers in the world.
The technical specifications of JUPITER are a result of significant investment and collaboration. The system is funded half by the European supercomputing initiative EuroHPC JU and a quarter each by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW NRW) via the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS). This funding model reflects the collaborative effort to advance high-performance computing in Europe.
JUPITER’s capabilities will enable researchers to tackle complex AI-related projects that were previously unfeasible due to computational limitations. With around 15 million GPU hours available for this purpose once the exascale computer begins operations, successful applicants can use these resources to train new fundamental models for AI applications. This access to cutting-edge computing power is expected to drive innovation in various fields, from scientific research to industrial applications.
Eligibility and Application Process
The Gauss AI Compute Competition is open to a wide range of participants, including scientists working at German universities, colleges, or other research institutions. Commercial companies that collaborate with German educational and research institutions can also participate, as can federal, state, and local administrations and other social organizations. The sponsors of the competition encourage both experienced HPC researchers and those new to the field to apply.
To facilitate the application process, GCS offers test access to its HPC systems. This allows potential applicants to familiarize themselves with the computing environment and prepare their proposals more effectively. Interested parties can submit their applications between January 17, 2025, and March 17, 2025. For any questions or clarifications regarding the competition, applicants can contact the GCS coordination office at JSC.
The eligibility criteria and application process are designed to be inclusive, aiming to attract a diverse range of projects that can benefit from JUPITER’s capabilities. By supporting both experienced researchers and newcomers to the field, the competition seeks to foster a vibrant community around high-performance computing and AI in Germany and Europe.
Impact and Future Prospects
The Gauss AI Compute Competition is an important initiative for advancing the German AI ecosystem and strengthening technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe. By providing access to JUPITER, one of the world’s fastest AI computers, researchers can develop innovative solutions that drive efficiency in science and industry. This competition is also a key component of implementing the next phase of the BMBF program “High-performance computing for the digital age: Research and investment for HPC.”
The long-term impact of this initiative is expected to be significant, creating sustainable added value for the German and European research landscape and for society as a whole. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, the competition can help address complex challenges and capitalize on opportunities presented by AI and high-performance computing.
As the field of AI continues to evolve, initiatives like the Gauss AI Compute Competition will play a crucial role in shaping the future of research and innovation in Germany and Europe. By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and supporting a diverse range of projects, this competition can help ensure that the region remains at the forefront of global advancements in AI and high-performance computing.
Conclusion
The Gauss AI Compute Competition represents a significant opportunity for researchers and companies in Germany and Europe to advance their work in AI using one of the world’s most powerful computing systems. With its inclusive eligibility criteria, supportive application process, and focus on societal impact, this initiative has the potential to drive meaningful innovation and collaboration across sectors. As the competition unfolds, it will be important to monitor its progress and outcomes, with a view to understanding how such initiatives can best support the development of AI and high-performance computing in the region.
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