Computing operations commence with the supercomputer.

In a significant stride towards advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable energy research, Europe's first exascale-class supercomputer, Jupiter, has been inaugurated. This groundbreaking machine, housed at the Forschungszentrum Jülich research center in Germany, is a testament to a collaborative effort between the European public-private partnership initiative Euro-HPCe, the Federal Ministry of Research, and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister President Hendrik Wüst, both from the CDU party. Jülich was chosen as the site for Jupiter over research institutions in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, underscoring the confidence in the facility's capabilities.

At its heart, Jupiter is powered by around 24,000 GH200 chips from US company Nvidia. This robust machinery is expected to perform more than a trillion calculations per second, making it a formidable force in the realm of high-performance computing.

Jupiter's modular design allows it to integrate new technologies like quantum computing and neuromorphic chips, ensuring its relevance and adaptability for the future. The supercomputer is expected to significantly advance the development and optimization of a sustainable energy system, aid in the development of new active ingredients against previously barely understood diseases, and improve climate models and weather simulations.

Jupiter is also a key part of the effort to change Europe's lagging position in AI with state support. It ranks fourth on the official Top 500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers and is listed as the most energy-efficient among the high-performance supercomputers on the Top 500 list. This energy efficiency is demonstrated in its warm-water cooling system, which is designed to use the waste heat generated during operation to heat buildings on the campus.

Astrid Lambrecht, CEO of the Forschungszentrum Jülich research center, refers to Jupiter as the "central building block for Europe's digital sovereignty". The financing of the Jupiter project, amounting to 500 million euros, supports the development and deployment of the system at the Forschungszentrum Jülich.

In the field of artificial intelligence, Jupiter demonstrates its potential for science, business, and society. It is equipped with a "booster" for AI applications, making it a powerful tool for AI research and development. Jupiter's impressive capabilities are housed in 125 racks that cover half a football field.

As Europe seeks to strengthen its position in the AI race, Jupiter stands as a beacon of progress, showcasing the potential for collaboration and innovation to drive technological advancement.