Denmark has inaugurated its first AI supercomputer, Gefion, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s technological infrastructure. This initiative, led by the Novo Nordisk Foundation in collaboration with the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), aims to accelerate research and innovation across various sectors, notably healthcare and life sciences.
Gefion is part of Europe’s broader push toward advanced supercomputing capabilities. It is ranked 21st on the TOP500 list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers.
Nadia Carlsten, CEO of the Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI): “It’s a remarkable achievement that it has taken only six months from announcement to completion of this complex state-of-the-art supercomputer. I am extremely proud of the team that came together and collaborated to turn this vision into a reality, delivering a leading capability that is now ready for customers to start testing new use cases. Gefion is the game-changer that many innovators had been waiting for.”
Gefion’s Technical Specifications and Capabilities
Gefion is constructed on the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD architecture, comprising 1,528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs interconnected via NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking. This configuration positions Gefion among the world’s most powerful AI supercomputers, enabling it to handle complex computations essential for advanced AI applications.
Strategic Objectives and Applications
The establishment of Gefion is intended to propel Denmark’s capabilities in AI-driven research and development. Key areas of focus include:
- Drug Discovery and Biotechnology: Leveraging AI to expedite the identification and development of new pharmaceuticals.
- Green Transition: Utilizing AI to devise solutions that support environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
- Quantum Computing: Advancing research in quantum algorithms and fault-tolerant computing.
These initiatives are expected to foster innovation and address pressing societal challenges.
Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA: “Denmark recognizes that to innovate in AI, the most impactful technology of our time, it must foster a domestic AI infrastructure and ecosystem. The Gefion supercomputer will supercharge the scientists of Denmark with local AI computing infrastructure to drive advancements in life sciences, climate research, and quantum computing.”
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Public-Private Partnership and Investment
The project is a result of a public-private partnership, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation committing approximately DKK 600 million and EIFO contributing DKK 100 million. The Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI), a newly established entity, will own and operate Gefion, ensuring that all revenue is reinvested into the initiative to sustain and expand its impact.
Implications for Healthcare and Drug Discovery
For the healthcare sector, Gefion’s capabilities are poised to revolutionize drug discovery processes. By processing vast datasets and simulating complex biological interactions, the supercomputer can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with bringing new drugs to market. This advancement holds promise for developing treatments for various diseases more efficiently.
The launch of Gefion represents a pivotal moment in Denmark’s technological evolution, particularly in the realm of AI applications in healthcare and beyond. By providing researchers and industries with access to cutting-edge computational resources, Denmark is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, with the potential to make substantial contributions to global scientific and technological progress.
