AI high-performance data center aims to secure Europe's technological sovereignty
In response to the rapid progress in the development of large AI models in the USA and China, the LEAM initiative (Large European AI Models), founded by the KI Bundesverband, is committed to the development of a European model. The prerequisite for this is the development of a dedicated AI supercomputing infrastructure. In a feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), an initial concept for the construction and operation of such a data center is outlined.
AI foundation models have immense transformation potential. Language models currently have the greatest relevance in the use and development of all types of models. Already in 2021, under the influence of GPT-3, KI.NRW published a study on concepts, applications and opportunities of modern language technologies and, together with AI experts from NRW, organized several events on this topic, including the KI.NRW annual conference .
In order to enable Germany and, at the same time, Europe to participate in the development of the next generation of large AI models, the LEAM initiative (Large European AI Models) was founded through the work of the KI Bundesverband. We are working together to create a high-performance computing center for AI research. The aim should be to make the necessary infrastructure and computing capacities available that are necessary for the development of a large European AI model.
Together with 40 representatives from business, science and society, the first ideas for such an infrastructure were put together last year. Funded and commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the results of this work were converted into a feasibility study. KI.NRW participated in the preparation of the study together with employees from the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS and the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
The almost 370-page study shows that the construction of such a data center is crucial for Germany as a technology and industrial location. It provides a comprehensive outline of what such a data center could look like and how it could be operated. However, it must be clarified how financing can be structured with the participation of the public sector, research and science as well as business. The topic is to be pushed forward in 2023 in close consultation with politicians in order to specify financing options.
Source: KI.NRW; LEAM
