In a landmark development for artificial intelligence and computing technology, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has unveiled Denmark's newest AI supercomputer, Gefion, which became operational on 23rd October 2024. The launch took place in Copenhagen and was attended by prominent figures including His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark, Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA, and Nadia Carlsten, the CEO of the Danish Centre for AI Innovation (DCAI).
Gefion, constructed on the advanced NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD AI data centre infrastructure, marks a significant advancement in the realm of supercomputing for Denmark. This state-of-the-art system was celebrated at a ceremonial event where it was symbolically activated by the dignitaries present. Its operation promises to provide unprecedented capabilities that will bolster innovation across a variety of fields.
The project, realised in a collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, has led to the establishment of DCAI. This new company will not only own but also manage Gefion, which is expected to enhance the competitive edge of Danish enterprises globally. The supercomputer's development was notably swift, taking just six months from its conceptual announcement to reaching completion.
Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s Minister for Industry, Business, and Financial Affairs, underscored the supercomputer's potential in a press statement, highlighting its role in advancing the green transition and fostering bespoke solutions. "Gefion will drive the advancement of the green transition, enable tailor-made solutions, and strengthen the competitive standing of our companies in the global market," Bødskov noted.
Gefion’s initial rollout includes a pilot phase where selected early customers will harness its capabilities to accelerate progress in quantum computing, drug discovery, and addressing societal challenges, like transitioning to greener energy alternatives. The introduction of this supercomputer comes at a critical time when access to computing power has been identified as a significant challenge for Denmark’s AI research sector.
The Gefion supercomputer is fitted with 1,528 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and interconnected via NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand technology. Prior to Gefion, Denmark did not possess GPU-accelerated supercomputers, making this development a significant leap forward.
Jensen Huang spoke to the necessity of such an infrastructure to catalyse AI innovation, acknowledging Denmark's strategic move to fortify its domestic AI 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," Huang elaborated.
The establishment of Gefion is expected to be a turning point, especially for innovators in Denmark who have eagerly awaited such an advanced technological facility to test new applications and drive forward future technologies. With the new supercomputer, Denmark positions itself at the forefront of AI research and development, promising substantial contributions to both national and global scientific communities.
Source: Noah Wire Services