📋 Tender Overview
Slovenia has submitted an application to the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking to establish a high-performance supercomputer with an artificial intelligence factory (AI Factory). If successful, the project will significantly contribute to the development of the Slovenian economy, the efficiency of the public sector, the progress of science and the strengthening of international cooperation.
The new supercomputer will build on the existing capabilities of the Vega supercomputer and enable the implementation of demanding research and development of advanced solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, biotechnology and environmental sciences. The project will contribute to the development of new business opportunities, job creation and increasing Slovenia's international visibility.
The application was submitted by the Institute of Information Sciences (IZUM), with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDP), on behalf of a consortium of organizations consisting of the Jožef Stefan Institute, Arnes, the University of Maribor, the University of Ljubljana, the University of Nova Gorica, the University of Primorska, the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto, the Ljubljana Technology Park, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
Already in the preparation phase, the MDP, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI) and the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport (MGTŠ) coordinated on a common approach, cooperation, support and financing of the application. Due to the complexity and scope of the documentation and the impact on various areas, Slovenia's independent application required the participation of the best experts in the field of information technologies and artificial intelligence from all major public research and infrastructure institutions. On 4 November 2024, Slovenia joined a consortium with research centres from Italy, Slovenia and Austria in the first application deadline, which strengthens its chances of a successful independent application.
When submitting the application, IZUM Director Dr. Aleš Bošnjak emphasized the importance of this project: "In 2021, we witnessed an extraordinary success in Slovenia with the launch of the Vega supercomputer, which enabled Slovenia's development in the strategically important field of supercomputing. Several representatives of the European Commission saw HPC Vega live in Maribor and praised our work and contribution to Europe's joint efforts. The European Commission is now investing in artificial intelligence services directly aimed at the economy, which is what we are addressing with this application. I am pleased that we will continue our excellent cooperation, as this opens up new opportunities for us to draw on European funds. HPC Vega will represent the infrastructure for artificial intelligence factory services until Slovenia builds a new data center near the Mariborski otok hydroelectric power plant, where a more powerful and artificial intelligence-adapted supercomputer will be located."
The project is divided into two phases. The first includes the procurement, delivery and establishment of hardware and the operation of the AI ??factory. The second phase, scheduled for two years after the start of operations, will involve upgrading the hardware with the latest graphics processing units and other technology for the long-term competitiveness of the supercomputer.
Minister for Digital Transformation, Ksenija Klampfer, M.Sc., emphasized upon submitting the application: "The new supercomputer will significantly upgrade existing capacities and enable the implementation of the most demanding research. In addition to technological progress, the project will also bring new employment opportunities, strengthen the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy and increase Slovenia's recognition as an advanced digital country." She added that the total value of the project is 150 million euros, of which up to 75 million euros from national funds and up to 75 million euros of planned EU co-financing.
The supercomputer and artificial intelligence factory project is strategically important for the country, as it will strengthen the digital transformation of the Slovenian economy, increase the competitiveness of companies and provide long-term support for the development of innovative technologies. In October last year, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a decision to support the application for the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking tender, with which Slovenia will consolidate its position among the leading countries in the field of high-performance computing.
