- The Council reached a political agreement to expand the objectives of the EuroHPC, aiming to boost Europe’s leadership in AI.
- The regulation introduces AI Factories to develop and operate AI super-computing service infrastructure.
- EuroHPC’s supercomputing capacity will be accessible to innovative AI European startups for model training.
- Commission proposal broadens EuroHPC’s scope, including AI Factories to provide AI super-computing services.
- Council’s amendments ensure fair access to AI-optimized supercomputers for startups and SMEs.
- Hosting entities could receive up to 50% financial coverage for acquisition and operating costs of AI-super-computers.
- The regulation emphasizes using AI-super-computers for developing, testing, and validating AI solutions in the Union.
Main AI News:
In a significant move towards bolstering Europe’s prowess in artificial intelligence (AI), the Council has secured a political agreement on a regulation aimed at enhancing the objectives of the European High Performing Computer Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC). This agreement seeks to propel Europe’s leadership in AI by incorporating an additional objective for the Joint Undertaking: the establishment and operation of AI Factories to foster an artificial intelligence ecosystem within the Union. These AI Factories will serve as entities offering AI super-computing service infrastructure. Additionally, the regulation will facilitate the accessibility of the Union’s supercomputing capacity to innovative AI European startups for model training purposes.
In the realm of business and technology, unity often emerges as the driving force behind monumental achievements. Europe stands testament to this axiom as evidenced by the development of its world-class super-computers. Now, with a focus on fostering a reliable AI ecosystem, the Union aims to amplify the potential of these formidable machines. The primary goals of this political consensus revolve around catapulting artificial intelligence startups into the forefront of this pivotal technology, fostering a highly competitive and innovative AI landscape, and fortifying the EU’s technological autonomy.
Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia and Minister for Economy, Research and Innovation, Digital, Agriculture, Urban Planning, and Spatial Planning, encapsulates the essence of this initiative.
Commission Proposal Envisioned for Advancement
The Commission’s proposal seeks to broaden the scope of the regulation governing the objectives of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, an entity established in 2018 to spearhead European super-computing endeavors. Presently, the EuroHPC JU has facilitated the acquisition of nine super-computers situated across Europe. Building upon the foundation laid by the existing joint undertaking, the Commission’s proposal advocates for the inclusion of AI Factories. These establishments are envisioned to provide AI super-computing services, comprising an infrastructure that includes AI-super-computers, associated data centers, and AI-oriented super-computing services, thereby enabling innovative AI European startups to train their models effectively.
Council’s Political Accord and Amendments
While endorsing the primary objectives of the proposal, the Council has introduced several amendments aimed at enhancing inclusivity and accessibility. Notably, the Council agreement emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair access opportunities to the AI-optimized supercomputers offered by the AI Factories. This entails opening avenues for a broader spectrum of public and private users to leverage these resources. The regulation explicitly cites startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as potential beneficiaries of AI-super-computers. To streamline access to support services, each hosting entity will establish a one-stop-shop. Furthermore, the Council urges the EuroHPC Governing Board to delineate special access conditions for AI-super-computers, including dedicated access for startups and SMEs.
Under the terms of the political agreement, hosting entities stand to receive a Union financial contribution covering up to 50% of the acquisition costs of AI-super-computers and an equivalent percentage of their operating costs, encompassing AI-oriented super-computing services. Ownership of the AI-optimized supercomputers may be transferred to hosting entities five years post the machine’s acceptance test. Notably, the regulation stipulates that these AI-super-computers should primarily serve the purpose of developing, testing, evaluating, and validating large-scale, general-purpose AI training models, as well as fostering the development of AI solutions within the Union.
Future Course of Action
As a Council regulation, this agreement will undergo legal scrutiny before its publication in the Official Journal. Once published, the regulation will come into effect on the twentieth day following its appearance in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Conclusion:
The Council’s agreement to expand EuroHPC’s objectives and include AI Factories signifies a strategic move towards strengthening Europe’s position in AI. With increased accessibility to AI super-computing resources, coupled with financial support for startups and SMEs, the market can anticipate heightened innovation and competitiveness in AI technology within the Union.
