Isambard-AI, UK's most powerful supercomputer, goes live in Bristol
The Isambard-AI machine, a major leap forward in the country's technological capabilities, was launched by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, as part of the government's fresh push towards expanding artificial intelligence (AI) resources, as reported by BBC.
Kyle officially 'flicked the switch' on the machine during an announcement that also unveiled new AI-related initiatives. The Isambard-AI supercomputer will join a similar machine in Cambridge, called Dawn, as part of the UK's AI Research Resource, which will serve as a vital tool for public sector projects.
The supercomputers are expected to aid in tackling critical issues like reducing NHS waiting lists and developing innovative solutions for climate change, despite the known high energy consumption of AI systems.
Alongside these announcements, the government revealed plans for substantial investments in AI Growth Zones across Scotland and Wales, aiming to boost regional economies and expand AI's reach nationwide.
The Isambard-AI machine had already been involved in a medical project earlier this year, contributing to vaccine development. Now fully operational, it is expected to support a broad range of public sector initiatives.
As its name implies, Isambard-AI is a supercomputer designed to complete tasks at an unprecedented speed, utilising thousands of processing units to handle larger datasets faster than traditional computers. This extraordinary capability will enhance the UK's public AI computing infrastructure.
The government has announced a training initiative aimed at preparing a million students in AI and providing broad economic training for 7.5 million individuals over the coming years.
Isambard-AI, using more than 5,400 Nvidia GH200 Grace Hopper Superchips, was developed by the University of Bristol with public funding, as reported by BBC.
It ranks 11th in the world in terms of processing power, according to the most recent Top 500 list of supercomputers. In contrast, Dawn at the University of Cambridge employs over 1,000 Intel chips.
David Hogan, Nvidia's European vice president, described Isambard-AI as a "truly transformational machine" but stressed that it is just the beginning of a much broader AI strategy.
To bolster these efforts, researchers, academics, and tech leaders, including Google DeepMind's Pushmeet Kohli and the Royal Society's Alison Noble, are collaborating on a national AI strategy set to be unveiled later this year.
The UK government believes that further investment in supercomputers will help position the country as a leader in AI development, challenging the global race for dominance in the sector.
This move is also aimed at enhancing the UK's competitiveness in the field, with global companies eager to secure the best talent and resources in the AI space.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business Recorder
AI policy can revolutionize Pakistan's economy, say experts
IT sector experts and stakeholders hailed the government's comprehensive National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, terming it a milestone towards revolutionizing economic development in the country within next few years through collaboration and implementation in true letter and spirit. They said the policy will open a new era of opportunities for Pakistan, as it can not only attract local and foreign investments, but could also increase exports of high-tech services and products. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the National AI Policy 2025 in a cabinet meeting recently which aims to create a complete AI ecosystem in Pakistan and democratize access to AI, enhance public services, as well as open up new employment and innovation avenues. AI education According to Mehwish Salman Ali, Member AI committee at Pakistan IT industry association, P@SHA, Pakistan needs to collaborate with local and foreign universities and training institutions to prepare human resources for AI, including 10,000 trainers and 1 million IT graduates in the next two years, which requires joint efforts and a uniform structure. In this regard, top IT companies along with universities should not only launch relevant degree programs but also establish innovation centers in major cities to provide platforms to professionals for working on new ideas along with upskilling and capacity-building, she added. She also suggested that the government should build state-level relationship with advanced countries and emerging economies such as Gulf countries for collaborations on various AI projects for mutual benefits and trade ties. The National AI policy outlines training 1 million AI professionals by 2030, establishing an AI Innovation Fund and AI Venture Fund to boost private sector involvement, creation of 50,000 AI-driven civic projects and 1,000 local AI products in the next five years, distribution of 3,000 annual AI scholarships and facilitation of 1,000 research projects, inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals through accessible education and financing, strengthening cybersecurity and national data security protocols, promoting global partnerships and compliance with international AI regulations. Further, an AI Council and a comprehensive master plan and action matrix will oversee the policy's implementation under the policy. $10 billion IT exports Senior Vice Chairman P@SHA Muhammad Umair Nizam said the policy will prove as a roadmap for achieving major milestones on business, technology and economic fronts in Pakistan. This policy may play a pivotal role in achieving the target of $10 billion IT exports by FY29 , and open windows of opportunities for investments in IT and allied companies, he said. However, the government should provide basic infrastructure for reaping the benefits of this policy, including fast internet, affordable devices, electricity, and workstations in different cities, he added. The government should also launch awareness campaigns nationwide because the country not only need professionals and developers of AI but also ethical and productive users of this technologies, he further said. P@SHA said it will extend its full support in the ambitious goal of the government through its members. Meanwhile Dr Noman Said, an IT exporter and CEO SI Global Solution said 'Pakistan's draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy is an encouraging and much-needed step toward creating a future-ready digital economy, but it is not short of vision as Pakistan's history with tech policies is riddled with delays and diluted impact.' 'To make this count, we must act decisively, cut red tape, and deliver early wins that demonstrate credibility. The real challenge isn't crafting a policy, it's turning it into progress.' The policy sets goals stretching to 2028, while AI globally is evolving every 6–12 months, hence, the country must move at the speed of innovation, not bureaucracy, he suggested. While the creation of different institutions is proposed, success will depend on whether these institutions are led by technocrats and industry experts or bogged down by administrative hurdles, Dr Noman said. The private sector, particularly startups and SMEs, must be incentivized with regulatory sandboxes, tax breaks, and access to public datasets to drive adoption and innovation from the ground up. He pointed out that the policy mentions international collaboration but must act fast to align with global AI alliances. ' If we don't integrate now, we risk becoming data consumers, not contributors.'
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
OpenAI to launch first European AI data centre in Norway
OpenAI revealed plans on Thursday to establish its first AI data centre in Europe, located in Norway. The project, named Stargate Norway, will be a joint venture with British AI cloud provider Nscale and Norwegian energy firm Aker. The data centre, announced through a press release, is set to be built in a partnership, where Nscale will handle the design and construction of the site, with OpenAI serving as an "off-taker," purchasing capacity from the centre. This move comes as Europe pushes forward in its efforts to gain AI sovereignty and invest in infrastructure that can support the growing demand for computing power, as reported by Tech Crunch. Stargate Norway will be situated in Narvik, northern Norway, an area chosen for its access to renewable hydropower, cool temperatures, and a strong industrial foundation. Nscale, Aker ASA, and OpenAI are launching Stargate Norway, an NVIDIA GPU AI gigafactory in Narvik, Northern Norway. Powered by 100% renewable energy, the facility will provide secure and scalable infrastructure for sovereign AI workloads, with plans to support up to 100,000… — NVIDIA Europe (@NVIDIAEU) July 31, 2025 The data centre will run entirely on renewable energy and incorporate advanced cooling systems to maintain optimal performance. In terms of capacity, the data centre will begin with a 230-megawatt (MW) output, increasing to 290 MW by 2026. OpenAI expects to run the facility using 100,000 Nvidia GPUs by that time, marking a major step in the company's AI infrastructure expansion. The project aligns with Europe's growing interest in developing local AI capabilities while ensuring data sovereignty. Nscale and Aker have committed around $1 billion to the initial phase, with plans to expand and support the wider European AI ecosystem, including startups and research institutions. As part of the EU's focus on energy efficiency and transparency, OpenAI is committed to complying with regulations that emphasise sustainable practices in AI infrastructure. OpenAI to launch AI data center in Norway, its first in Europe | TechCrunch — TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) July 31, 2025 Excess heat from the GPUs will be redirected to support low-carbon enterprises in the region, further demonstrating the facility's environmentally conscious design. This announcement follows a series of OpenAI's global investments, including plans for AI infrastructure in the United States, the UAE, and the UK. The Stargate Norway project marks a significant step towards reinforcing Europe's role in the global AI landscape.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro step into Silicon Valley in ‘Artificial'
Andrew Garfield has officially stepped into the role of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, as filming begins for Artificial, the upcoming AI-themed film directed by Luca Guadagnino. TMZ captured exclusive footage from the San Francisco set, where Garfield was seen fully transformed as Altman, dressed in a gray ensemble and flanked by a group of men in a dramatic walk-up scene. andrew and monica on the set of artificial via tmz — m (@ANDREWG4RFlELD) July 31, 2025 Starring alongside Garfield is Monica Barbaro, who plays former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Barbaro, who is also Garfield's real-life girlfriend, was front and center in the scene being filmed, appearing deeply engaged in her character's moment. The on-set chemistry between the two actors adds an extra layer of interest to the production. Security was tight around the shoot, with barriers and personnel ensuring the cast and crew remained undisturbed as cameras rolled. The production appeared smooth and highly organized, signaling a serious tone for what has been described as a comedic drama. While the exact plot of Artificial remains under wraps, the film is already generating buzz for its depiction of the real-life figures behind one of the most influential tech companies in the world. With Luca Guadagnino at the helm and a star-studded cast, anticipation is high. Garfield, known for his transformative performances, seems to be diving deep into Altman's persona, while Barbaro brings poise and focus to her portrayal of Murati. The film is slated for a 2026 release, though a premiere date has not yet been confirmed. Stay tuned for more updates as production continues.
