Bristol supercomputer will help UK become ‘technological superpower’
The Government recently announced plans to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK to drive national renewal.
Bristol, with its long-standing reputation for pioneering advancements in AI, has been identified as a key contributor to this effort. Described as having “deep academic expertise in this space” by tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford in his AI Opportunities Action Plan, the city is uniquely positioned to support these ambitions.
The University of Bristol, recently named ‘AI University of The Year’ at the National AI Awards, has secured £225 million Government investment to develop Isambard-AI. Constructed in record time by the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS) team, this cutting-edge supercomputer is a cornerstone of the initiative.
Located at the National Composites Centre (NCC), Isambard-AI is on track to become the UK’s most powerful and fastest supercomputer for AI research, with completion expected in summer 2025. It will provide unmatched capacity in fields such as robotics, big data, climate research, and drug discovery. Importantly, Isambard-AI will establish the UK’s sovereign AI capability for the first time.
Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, Director of BriCS and a leading expert in Higher Performance Computing (HPC) said: “The University of Bristol is proud to support the UK’s ambitious AI vision with Isambard-AI, the nation’s fastest supercomputer.
“Capable of performing in one second what would take the combined efforts of the entire global population 81 years, Isambard-AI represents a transformative leap forward.
“Already operational and with full production coming this year, it will play a central role in delivering a 20-fold increase in the UK’s AI capability within just a few years – faster and more cost-efficiently than commercial alternatives.
“This is a pivotal moment for AI in the UK."
Evelyn Welch, Vice-chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: "This is a vote of confidence for the University and the city.
“Universities have a vital role to play in research and innovation, and in facilitating long-term economic growth.
“AI presents us with many opportunities to fulfil this role. With its world-class technology, Isambard-AI will help nourish talent by providing training and support for students and researchers in advanced computational methods, while fostering interdisciplinary research efforts in the UK and globally.”
Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said: “AI has the potential to change all of our lives but for too long, we have been curious and often cautious bystanders to the change unfolding around us. With this plan, we become agents of that change.
“We already have remarkable strengths we can tap into when it comes to AI – building our status as the cradle of computer science and intelligent machines and establishing ourselves as the third largest AI market in the world.
“This government is determined that the UK is not left behind in the global race for AI, that’s why the actions we commit to will ensure that the benefits are spread throughout the UK so all citizens will reap the rewards of the bet we make today. This is how we’re putting our Plan for Change in motion.”
Phase one of Isambard-AI, housed in a climate-controlled modular data centre, has already become operational, with full installation of the facility expected by winter 2024. Current AI projects include investigating the role of blood vessel inflammation in heart disease, employing camera tracking to assess livestock health on farms, and developing new vaccines.
Recognised as the most sustainable supercomputer in the UK and the second greenest globally, Isambard-AI ranks in the top two of the Green500 list. Built in a low-carbon, modular facility, it also offers the potential to recycle waste heat output for nearby infrastructure, contributing to its environmental credentials.
By summer 2025, phase two of Isambard-AI will become available via an early access programme as the system undergoes testing. This phase will feature an additional 5,280 Nvidia Grace Hopper (GH200) superchips, further enhancing its capabilities.
Researchers and startups are encouraged to express interest in utilising Isambard-AI for large-scale projects, unlocking new opportunities in AI research and development.