Europe's Swiftest Supercomputer Now Under Merz's Control

The race for future market shares in technology is heating up, with the USA and China leading the way. However, Europe and Germany still have opportunities to catch up, as demonstrated by the recent unveiling of the supercomputer Jupiter.

Located at the Forschungszentrum Jülich near Aachen, Jupiter is Europe's first exascale computer and the fastest supercomputer on the continent. It ranks fourth worldwide in speed, making it a significant player in the global technological landscape.

The construction of Jupiter cost 500 million euros, with contributions from the federal and state ministries of science, the European Commission, and the Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA). The data center, built in two years, consists of around 50 container modules on more than 2,300 square meters of space.

Jupiter is not just a powerful machine; it is also a symbol of Germany's ambition to claim a leading role in the current technological revolution. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "We want Germany to become the AI nation."

The supercomputer is operated with green electricity, making it the most energy-efficient supercomputer in the world. This commitment to sustainability is reflected in the name "Jupiter," an abbreviation for Joint Undertaking Pioneer for Innovative and Transformative Exascale Research.

Astrid Lambrecht, director of Forschungszentrum Jülich, highlighted the importance of Jupiter, stating, "The supercomputer Jupiter shows how the path to resource-saving computing can look like."

Jupiter is intended to improve climate and weather simulation to better predict local extreme events such as heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. It is also designed to research proteins, cells, and the human brain with the aim of developing new therapies more quickly.

Despite the potential for AI to revolutionise various fields, concerns about its capabilities remain. Lambrecht, for instance, noted that large AI models currently fail at logical thinking. However, she does not consider the horror scenario of AI taking over control of humanity to be realistic at present.

The inauguration of Jupiter was a significant event, with Chancellor Merz and North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst (both CDU) in attendance. The occasion also marked the opening of a central office in the city center for Hamm.

Elsewhere in Hamm, life continues as usual. Werler Street has reopened after a water pipe burst, and a construction site festival is taking place at the West Gate.

In conclusion, the supercomputer Jupiter opens up new possibilities for the training of AI models and scientific simulations. It is a testament to Germany's commitment to technological innovation and sustainability, and a step towards Europe catching up in the race for future market shares.