Europe's Swiftest Supercomputer now under Merz's Control

The Supercomputer Jupiter, located at Forschungszentrum Jülich near Aachen, is making waves in the world of technology. This powerful machine, funded by the European Commission, German science ministries, and the European supercomputing initiative EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), is not only the fastest computer in Europe but also the most energy-efficient supercomputer in the world.

With a capacity to hold the content of 450 billion books, Jupiter is designed to improve climate and weather simulation, allowing for better predictions of local extreme events such as heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. But its purpose extends beyond meteorology. Jupiter is also intended for research on proteins, cells, and the human brain with the goal of developing new therapies more quickly.

The name "Jupiter" is an abbreviation, standing for Joint Undertaking for Pioneering Innovative and Transformative Exascale Research (Joint Undertaking Pioneer). Exascale, a term used to describe Jupiter, refers to supercomputers capable of performing a billion billion calculations per second. This makes Jupiter the first computer in Europe to perform more than a trillion calculations per second.

The Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, believes that the 2020s could be considered the AI decade of the 21st century. He, along with many others, sees Germany as a key player in this technological revolution. Germany boasts leading research institutions, renowned universities, and dynamic and successful AI startups, including DeepL, Black Forest Labs, and Helsing.

However, the race for future market shares is not only between Germany and these global powerhouses. The USA and China are also in the fray. Yet, Europe and Germany still have the opportunity to catch up. The Supercomputer Jupiter underscores Germany's claim to a leading role in this current technological revolution.

The Jupiter data center, built in two years, consists of around 50 container modules on more than 2,300 square meters of space. This green giant is operated with green energy, making it a symbol of sustainable technological advancement. Astrid Lambrecht, director of Forschungszentrum Jülich, stated that 'Jupiter' demonstrates a resource-saving computing path during a time of increasing digitalization and AI energy consumption.

The Supercomputer Jupiter opens up new possibilities for training AI models and scientific simulations. Its potential to improve weather forecasting, accelerate medical research, and drive technological innovation makes it an invaluable asset in Germany's pursuit of becoming an AI nation.