Faster, more accurate cancer diagnosis and new clean energy innovations are some of the major breakthroughs that are close to reality as the UK’s most powerful AI supercomputer was launched today (Thursday, July 17th).
The £225 million new Isambard-AI facility developed by the University of Bristol in a close partnership with HPE and Nvidia can be processed in one second by an entire global group that takes 80 years to achieve.
Such impressive processing speeds provide capacity that has never been seen in the UK before, allowing researchers and industries to leverage the great potential of AI in areas such as robotics, big data, climate research, and drug discovery.
Built and operated by Bristol Supercomputing (BRICS), the supercomputer is based in the NCC of Bristol and Burth Science Parks and was officially launched by Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
This is an important part of the UK Government’s AI Research Resource (AIRR), which aims to enhance the country’s capabilities in responsible, cutting-edge AI development.
Isambird Eye, alongside the Dawn Supercomputer at Cambridge University, sees the UK’s computational capacity increase to 23 AI exaflops. This is equivalent to 85,000 years, which is equivalent to everyone in the UK.
This means that everyone in the UK had to start calculations for over 80,000 years before Stonehenge was built.
It is named after the innovative engineer Isan Bird Kingdom Brunel (nodded to historic contributions to engineering and innovation). Isamu Bird-AI was built in a partnership with HPE and using next-generation supercomputing with HPE clay EX optimized for AI workloads with 5,400 cutting edges NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper SuperChips.
Not only is it the sixth fastest supercomputer in Europe, it is also the fourth greenest environment in the world, according to the Green500 list. Built to be extremely energy efficient, the facility uses zero carbon electricity only. It is incorporated into a low-carbon modular data center installed by the construction of Auckland, and has reduced carbon emissions by around 72% compared to traditional build methods. It also utilizes HPE’s 100% fanless direct liquid cooling technology to reduce cooling power consumption by up to 90%. It could also recycle waste heat output from nearby homes and businesses.
The University of Bristol has been chosen to host a new national supercomputer research facility thanks to its long history of world-leading AI research and high-performance computing expertise.
The university, dubbed “AI University of the Years” in 2024, will train future pioneers in artificial intelligence through the SPärck AI scholarships by offering new, funded, government-assisted master’s degrees.
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice president and president of the University of Bristol, said: “This is a pivotal moment for AI in the UK, and the University of Bristol is proud to be at the heart of it. We have a long history of AI research, innovation and education, and are now home to the UK’s most powerful AI supercomptoturner.
“Together with HPE and Nvidia, we have delivered this remarkable national facility at PACE in just under 24 months. With its impressive power, Isambard AI will provide transformative research and breakthroughs that will ultimately improve people’s lives, as it is working 100,000 times faster than the average laptop.”
The team at Bristol Centre for Super Computing (BRICS) used experience in conjunction with modern modular data center technology to complete what normally takes 4-5 years and proceeded with the Isan Bird Ee project at an unprecedented pace.
Professor Simon McIntosh Smith, director of Bristol Supercomputing Centre, said:
“We are extremely proud to work closely with our team and our partners to develop a facility in this country that will set up Bristol and the UK as an international hub for AI research.”
Today’s launch follows the technology secretary, and launches a 10-year plan to boost the country’s AI computing capabilities. This will improve the UK’s ability to provide next-generation game-changing breakthroughs while increasing the strengths of the UK’s broader AI sector.
Peter Kyle said the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: “Today, we have put the country’s most powerful computer systems into the hands of UK researchers and entrepreneurs. Isanbird Eye doesn’t just bridge the gap with its international competitors.
“With full operation of AI research resources, the UK is home to raw, calculated horsepower, helping to save lives, create jobs and reach net-zero ambitions faster.
“This is a plan for behavioral change and builds the computational infrastructure that will make the UK the brightest mind and magnet of bold ideas in the world. The breakthrough provided by AI research resources defines the next decade.
Researchers at the University of Bristol use Isambard-AI to analyse recordings from wearable cameras and other smart devices to help people perform tasks better at home.
Video contains much more information than images and text, but the hardware needs of such data processing the vast amount of data limits research into video comprehension. This new ability of Isambard-AI opens up exciting possibilities, such as capturing footage directly from individuals during the early stages of dementia, and training AI models that can help in triggering later memories.
Other examples of research enabled by supercomputers include using AI to analyze MRI scans. This means that cancer cases can be identified more quickly and patients can be given a personalized treatment plan. We support future therapies development to improve our understanding of over 30 important proteins involved in many diseases. And dairy cow monitoring and analysis flock to detect changes in social behavior that serve as an early indicator of asymptomatic disease.
“We’re looking for a great deal of information about our services,” said Neil McDonald, Executive Vice President and General Manager of HPE’s Servers. “As one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world, Isambird AI is an important tool for the UK to remain competitive worldwide in AI racing. The machines do not require massive amounts of accelerated computing, high-performance networking, innovative direct liquid cooling, and advancement of a generation of public service delivery, healthcare, education and innovation.”
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services to our customers,” said John Josephakis, Vice President of Business Development for HPC and Supercomputing at NVIDIA.
“This system is a step towards establishing sovereign AI capabilities and accelerates breakthroughs in areas such as climate science, healthcare and data analytics to promote scientific discovery and economic growth.”
NCC CEO Richard Oldfield said: “Choosing Isambard gives us the opportunity to leverage world-class digital and AI research and apply it throughout the product lifecycle to transform the UK industry.
Helen Godwin, new mayor of western England, said: “The fastest supercomputers in the country live in Bristol and Bass Science Park. Hosted by the University of Bristol, Isanbird Eye supports power innovation and research to further take parts of the world to the map. We can apply to use it together with businesses and researchers from the West and beyond to promote our future.”
Currently, applications are open for researchers and small businesses to use Isambard-AI, with over 80 teams already being applied. It shows great demand for this step change in UK calculations.
