The European Commission and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) have announced the creation of one of the seven AI Factories at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center-National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS). This pioneering initiative will allow companies, startups, SMEs, and scientists to access advanced computational resources and R&D services to develop artificial intelligence applications aligned with European ethical values.
A strategic investment of 198 million euros
The project will have a total investment of nearly 198 million euros, jointly funded by:
- 98 million euros from the European Commission through the Horizon Europe program.
- 62 million euros from the Government of Spain, channeled through the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
- 14 million euros from the Government of Catalonia.
- International contributions, such as 15.6 million from Portugal, 6.5 million from Turkey, and 1 million from Romania.
The initiative, which is set to begin implementation in 2025, aims to be fully operational by the end of the same year, becoming an epicenter of innovation in artificial intelligence in Europe.
A boost to AI with MareNostrum 5 and the Spanish Supercomputing Network
The BSC-CNS will leverage its position as a European leader in supercomputing to lead this initiative. The proposal includes the upgrade of MareNostrum 5, its flagship supercomputer, which will incorporate advanced AI accelerators to train and develop large-scale generative models.
Additionally, the project will receive support from the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES), which brings together 14 organizations with supercomputers distributed across Spain, providing high-performance computing services to public and private institutions.
Mateo Valero, director of the BSC, highlighted: “The AI Factory will be a key hub for the adoption of artificial intelligence in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, finance, and climate. This infrastructure will enable AI to reach all sectors of society and develop it in line with European ethical values.”
An innovative ecosystem for companies and startups
The AI Factory in Barcelona is designed to democratize access to artificial intelligence resources, especially for sectors with limited resources. It will allow SMEs, startups, and large companies to work with:
- Optimized supercomputing for AI.
- Advanced data networks.
- Complementary services to support the development and deployment of R&D projects.
This infrastructure will be key in areas such as biomedicine, climatology, industry, and chip design, driving innovative solutions that transform productivity and competitiveness in the European business ecosystem.
Aligned with European values
The AI Factory reflects Europe’s commitment to ethical and responsible generative AI, in line with the regulations established by the European Commission. This approach seeks to position the continent as a global leader in artificial intelligence, ensuring that technological developments respect privacy, transparency, and security.
Óscar López, Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, emphasized: “With the AI Factory, Spain is taking a firm step towards democratizing access to AI, ensuring its positive impact on society and enhancing the competitiveness of the business ecosystem.”
For her part, Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, highlighted: “This project positions Spain as a leader in artificial intelligence development in Europe, benefiting both the public and private sectors with high-impact technological advancements.”
A European leadership in the digital horizon
The BSC’s AI Factory is part of the high-performance supercomputer network EuroHPC JU, which has an initial investment of 580 million euros. Barcelona thus positions itself as a key pillar in building Europe’s digital autonomy, promoting innovation in strategic sectors and opening opportunities for European talent.
With this initiative, the BSC-CNS not only reinforces its role as a nerve center of supercomputing and artificial intelligence but also solidifies Spain as a technological leader in the international landscape. The AI Factory is a decisive step towards a more connected, competitive Europe that aligns with its ethical principles, building a future in which AI serves as a driver of progress and well-being for all of society.
via: BSC