University of Bristol’s Isambard-AI Supercomputer Supports UK’s Ambitious AI Vision at Number 10 Event

University of Bristol’s Isambard-AI Supercomputer Supports UK’s Ambitious AI Vision at Number 10 Event

(IN BRIEF) Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, attended an event at Number 10 Downing Street to highlight the UK Government’s commitment to becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). The event recognized the country’s AI infrastructure, with a focus on the University’s Isambard-AI supercomputer, a key player in advancing AI research. The Isambard-AI project, which is expected to be one of the world’s top 15 supercomputers, plays a pivotal role in the Government’s AI recovery plan aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. The event featured speeches from key figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and underscored the importance of AI in the UK’s future.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRISTOL, 6-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Evelyn Welch, recently participated in an event at Number 10 Downing Street to celebrate the UK Government’s dedication to becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). The gathering recognized the nation’s strides in AI infrastructure, with Professor Welch joining a group of AI entrepreneurs, investors, and regional mayors to hear about the Government’s ambitious plans for AI’s central role in the country’s future.

The event featured key speeches from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Minister of State for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle. This event follows a meeting held just the previous week with Indian investors, focusing on AI, which saw participation from Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, Director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS) and a renowned expert in High Performance Computing (HPC) at the University of Bristol.

Reflecting on the event, Professor Welch shared her pride in the University’s AI achievements: “It was an honor to be invited to Number 10, recognizing the significant progress we’ve made in AI innovation. Our supercomputer, Isambard-AI, which began facilitating groundbreaking research in AI in June of last year, is already making strides in critical areas like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s treatments. With new users eagerly awaiting its full completion this summer, we’re just beginning. We’re incredibly proud to play a key role in supporting the Government’s AI recovery strategy and boosting the nation’s future prosperity.”

The event comes shortly after Sir Keir Starmer’s unveiling of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which outlines the country’s vision to become a global leader in AI. A crucial element of this plan is the expansion of AI infrastructure, with the University of Bristol’s Isambard-AI supercomputer standing as a prime example of this effort. Once fully operational, Isambard-AI will rank among the world’s top 15 most powerful supercomputers, marking a significant leap for the UK’s technological capabilities.

The Isambard-AI project is aligned with the government’s AI roadmap, which focuses on accelerating AI adoption across the UK to drive economic growth, create future jobs, and improve quality of life for citizens. The project has been developed at an unprecedented pace by the BriCS team, who have combined their expertise with the latest modular data center techniques, reducing the typical completion timeline from four to five years to just under two.

By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure such as Isambard-AI, the UK is positioning itself to lead the global race in AI research and development, ultimately driving innovation, economic growth, and the nation’s long-term success.

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SOURCE: University of Bristol