New supercomputer to be located in Kajaani – Finland gains stronger role in AI research
The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) has selected the sites that will host the new European AI Factories. The AI factory consists of a supercomputer that provides world-class computing power as well as completely new data sources together with a service centre and talent pool.
Of the seven funded projects, one belongs to the LUMI consortium, which is led by Finland. The LUMI AI Factory will be hosted by CSC - IT Center for Science and located in Kajaani.
Following the EuroHPC decision, the existing LUMI ecosystem will be upgraded to better meet the needs of AI-related research and innovation. LUMI-AI will train advanced AI models and develop AI solutions, among other things. Later, the existing LUMI supercomputer will be replaced with a new AI-optimised supercomputer. The new AI-optimised supercomputer should be at the disposal of researchers and companies by 2027, when the competitive service life of the existing supercomputer is coming to an end.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government has made provision to upgrade the LUMI supercomputer with a financial contribution of EUR 250 million as part of government R&D investments.
“The new supercomputer is very important not only for Kajaani but also for the whole of Finland. We need growth and higher productivity. High-performance computing is precisely the kind of investment that generates both. Hopefully this investment will enable as many researchers, inventors and companies as possible to gain benefit from it. Decisions like this help Finland prosper,” says Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
The Government has made investments in AI research. As part of the negotiations for agreements with the universities, a decision was made to support the universities’ joint project to set up a national ELLIS Institute in Finland. Its objective is to strengthen Finland's position in AI-related research and to raise the level of expertise in the field. The ELLIS Institute has also received a substantial private donation.
“By upgrading the LUMI supercomputer and with greater high-performance computing power, we are paving the way for next-generation research that is even more advanced. This will make Finland even more attractive and competitive. We have already invested in AI expertise in many ways, and this investment brings us ever closer to the world's brightest vanguard,” says Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala.
The consortium behind the LUMI AI Factory is led by Finland, and it includes the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Poland. The hosting agreement between EuroHPC and CSC is due to be signed in early 2025.
“The LUMI supercomputer gives Finland world-class tools for RDI and digitalisation purposes alongside artificial intelligence, for which LUMI already provides one of the most powerful platforms in the world. The continuity that the new investment brings builds an even more solid foundation for creating new talent both in research and in businesses. This boots Finland's competitiveness and growth considerably,” says Kimmo Koski, Managing Director of CSC.
In its Government Programme, the Government has pledged to safeguard the continuity of high-performance computing capacity in Finland. Investing in the Kajaani HPC ecosystem also contributes to making Eastern Finland dynamic and providing more opportunities for economic growth.
The European Union’s contribution towards the LUMI-AI supercomputer is EUR 306.4 million. Finland’s contribution is at most EUR 250 million. The remaining amount is divided between the other countries in the consortium.
One of the priorities of the European Commission, which took office at the beginning of December, is to set up AI Factories, and it aims to advance these priorities during the first hundred days of its term of office. The goal to make Europe a global leader in reliable AI innovation.
Related links
- European Commission press release: Seven consortia selected to establish AI factories which will boost AI innovation in the EU
- EuroHPC press release: Selection of the First Seven AI Factories to Drive Europe's Leadership in AI
- CSC press release: A new pan-European supercomputer and a European Union AI Factory to be placed in Finland
Inquiries:
- Emmi Venäläinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Science and Culture, tel. +358 50 453 2773
- Erja Heikkinen, Director, tel. +358 295 330 101
- Petteri Kauppinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 147
- Kimmo Koski, Managing Director, CSC - IT Center for Science, tel. +358 503 819 777