Introduction

Flapmax has announced a new partnership with high-performance computing (HPC) centers across Africa, launching the inaugural HPC AI Forum. Starting on October 10, 2024, this event aims to enhance Africa’s scientific computing capabilities by bringing together top researchers, industry experts, and innovators in artificial intelligence (AI), HPC, and quantum computing.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation

The HPC AI Forum is designed to foster collaboration between HPC centers and research institutions across Africa. The event will focus on advancing scientific research, driving industrial innovation, and promoting open collaboration across the region. By creating a space for knowledge sharing, the forum will help bridge the gap between emerging technologies and the unique challenges faced by resource-limited HPC centers.

Advancing Equitable AI Solutions in Africa

As part of Flapmax’s broader mission to develop sustainable and equitable AI solutions, the HPC AI Forum will play a crucial role in addressing the specific needs of HPC centers in emerging regions. With AI and HPC technologies evolving rapidly, ensuring that African research institutions have access to the latest tools and innovations is essential. The forum aims to empower these centers to fully participate in global advancements and contribute to cutting-edge scientific discoveries.

Dave Ojika, CEO of Flapmax, emphasized the forum’s commitment to ensuring equitable access, stating, “This event will focus not just on cutting-edge research technology but also on sustainability and equitable access, which are core to our mission.”

Key Themes of the HPC AI Forum

The HPC AI Forum will explore critical themes that are shaping the future of AI, HPC, and quantum technologies. Some of the core topics include:

Sustainability through Energy-Efficient Computing: Exploring ways to deploy AI models with lower energy consumption, essential for HPC centers with limited resources.

Fair and Ethical Use of AI: Promoting open collaboration and equitable access to AI tools, ensuring that all research institutions can benefit from advancements in AI technology.

Innovation in AI and Quantum Technologies: Discussing the latest breakthroughs in AI accelerators, quantum computing, and hybrid cloud solutions that can transform the research landscape.

Skill Development and Community Building: Highlighting initiatives for skill development in collaboration with educational institutions and building a global network of AI and HPC innovators.

Enhancing Research with Cutting-Edge Technology

Participants of the HPC AI Forum will gain access to a variety of resources aimed at enhancing their research capabilities. Perks include:

  • Satellite-based internet hardware and connectivity to support remote HPC centers.
  • Intel AI PCs equipped with advanced Neural Processing Units (NPU) to accelerate AI-based research.
  • Access to AMD HPC infrastructure with 1TB memory, ideal for computationally intensive and memory-heavy research.
  • Seamless integration with Microsoft Azure for scalable cloud computing resources, allowing researchers to easily scale their projects.

Building the Future of AI and HPC in Africa

By hosting the HPC AI Forum, Flapmax aims to lay the foundation for a vibrant and interconnected community of AI and HPC researchers across Africa. This collaboration will not only advance scientific research but also create opportunities for African institutions to contribute to global technological developments. The forum is set to be a significant milestone in Africa's journey towards becoming a hub for AI and HPC innovation.