Research center Jülich
Merz puts the fastest computer in Europe into operation
Fastest computer in Europe, fourth fastest in the world and the most energy efficient at all – when commissioning “Jupiter” it is hailing superlatives. The politician casserole is correspondingly great.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (both CDU) have put the fastest computer in Europe into operation. The so -called “supercomputer Jupiter” is in the Jülich research center near Aachen. He opens “completely new possibilities – for the training of AI models or for scientific simulations,” said Merz. The computer, fourth fastest in the world, underlines the claim of the Federal Republic on a leading role in the technological revolution of the present.
“We want Germany to become a kidnation,” said Merz. “It is very possible that in retrospect a day we will accept this 20s of this 21st century as the AI decade of our time.” The United States and China currently had a race for future market shares. However, Europe and Germany still have all the ways to catch up. “We have leading research institutions worldwide,” said Merz. “We have viewed universities worldwide. We have dynamic and successful AI startups, for example Deepl in the area of machine translation, for example Black Forest Labs in the field of image generation, for example Helsing in the field of security and defense.”
Could Jülich’s supercomputer develop consciousness?
“Jupiter” is operated with green electricity and is therefore said to be the most energy -efficient super computer in the world. This is what makes him unique, said the head of the Jülich research center, Astrid Lambrecht, the German Press Agency. “At a time when digitization and AI require more and more energy, we show” Jupiter “how the way towards resource-saving can look.”
“We have to catch up in artificial intelligence,” said Lambrecht at the inauguration ceremony. The horror scenario that the AI itself could take command about humanity at some point is currently not realistic. “Large AI models fail with logical thinking,” said Lambrecht of the dpa. “It is a completely different way to deal with data than our human brain, in which there are an incredible number of complex connections. If you ask me personally, I will not see it in the medium term that these machines will develop awareness.”
More than one trillion arithmetic operations per second
The “Jupiter” calculation center, which was built in two years, consists of around 50 container modules on more than 2,300 square meters of space. The content of 450 billion books fits on its plates. “Jupiter is the first computer in Europe to carry out more than one trillion arithmetic operations per second,” said Lambrecht. “He is very, very fast.”
The name “Jupiter” is an abbreviation and stands for Joint Undertaking Pioneer for Innovative and Transformative Exascale Research (joint pioneering company for innovative and transformative Exascale research – Exascale means supercomputer). The computer cost 500 million euros. The European Commission bears 250 million of them, each with 125 million euros in the federal and state scientific ministries.
“Jupiter” is also intended to improve climate and weather simulation in order to improve the prediction of local extreme events such as heavy rain and violent thunderstorms. However, it should also research proteins, cells and the human brain – with the aim of developing new therapies faster.
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
