German modular supercomputing company ParTec has partnered with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HDRZ) research lab to jointly develop and operate an AI supercomputer.

Dubbed ELBJUWEL and set to be housed in Germany, the system is expected to deliver approximately 500 petaflops of performance, or approximately 50 exaflops for FP8 operations.

No information has been provided about the system’s hardware but in a statement, the two companies said it will be one of the most powerful AI supercomputers in the world.

The system has been designed to support research into machine learning, neural networks, quantum computing, and large-scale data analysis, with access to be provided directly, rather than via the cloud. In addition to enabling local scientists, companies, and government agencies to work together on complex technology projects, the supercomputer is expected to increase the competitiveness of companies in Saxony.

“Our world-leading architecture for AI supercomputers is intended to decisively advance the German and European ambitions of digital sovereignty and enable companies to take full control of their data and processes with unparalleled reliability and security,” said Bernhard Frohwitter, CEO of ParTec. “Unfortunately, it is currently the case that up to 90 percent of the computing power required in Germany and Europe is not available in Europe but must be demanded above all in America.”

He added: “Furthermore, and from my point of view, the central issue is the provision of computing power in so to speak one's own backyard: This is the only way users and machine developers as well as operators can work closely together and benefit from the most valuable synergies that are not possible when a supercomputer is only accessible via cloud.”