Denmark recently introduced the Gefion supercomputer, the country’s largest and most advanced AI supercomputer.
Developed in partnership with NVIDIA, this supercomputer aims to propel breakthroughs in various fields. This includes quantum computing, clean energy, and biotechnology, all while making a meaningful impact on society. Named after a goddess from Danish mythology, Gefion embodies Denmark’s commitment to harnessing AI for national and global challenges.
A Landmark in AI Infrastructure
Gefion stands as Denmark’s first sovereign AI supercomputer, highlighting a milestone in the nation’s technological journey. Built on the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD platform, it boasts 1,528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs interconnected by the high-performance NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking. This infrastructure enables Denmark to build and train complex AI models.
Denmark’s King Frederik X and NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang symbolically activated the Gefion supercomputer, marking this momentous launch. This supercomputer supports Denmark’s efforts in areas like life sciences, climate research, and quantum computing.
Pioneering Research and Industry Impact
The Gefion supercomputer is operated by the Danish Center for AI Innovation (DCAI), a collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund. This public-private initiative supports industries, startups, and academic institutions, providing a local AI infrastructure that fosters research and development across various sectors.
Gefion’s applications range from large-scale quantum simulations to AI-driven drug discovery. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are already leveraging its power to simulate quantum computer circuits, pushing the boundaries closer to quantum supremacy. Meanwhile, in life sciences, Gefion supports drug discovery and disease research, with hopes of revolutionizing the field within the decade.
The Danish Meteorological Institute is also involved, using Gefion to enhance weather forecasts, reducing prediction times from hours to minutes. With such advancements, Gefion may address pressing global issues, including climate change and food security.
Advancing Clean Energy and Biotechnology
Gefion’s capabilities extend to green energy research and biotechnology. Using the NVIDIA BioNeMo platform, Danish scientists are co-developing solutions in protein design, a key area for both sustainable energy and healthcare advancements.
The supercomputer’s vast computational power aids in creating more efficient bio-models, which will be critical in developing new medicines and clean energy solutions.
Beyond academia and research institutions, startups benefit from Gefion’s advanced computing power. Go Autonomous, for instance, is developing an AI model using Gefion that can process multiple data types for enhanced digital interactions. Similarly, the startup Teton is using the supercomputer to develop an AI Care Companion, driven by large-scale video pretraining.
Denmark’s launch of the Gefion supercomputer signifies its dedication to building a robust AI infrastructure. Sovereign AI ensures that Denmark controls its own data and computing power. Thus, it establishes the groundwork for long-term growth and independence in AI.
Photo by NVIDIA
