UKRI position on next phase of large scale compute investments

UKRI is developing a Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) strategy that recognises that UKRI’s diverse research communities require large-scale compute provision across a range of system sizes and architectures.

In addition to recognising the increasing ubiquity of large-scale computing in research and innovation and growing the UKRI user base, our strategy also acknowledges the increasing pace of technological development. Along with other leading research nations, we recognise the substantial opportunities that will arise from exascale systems, and our ambition is to put the UK on the path to exascale capability by the middle of this decade.

We also recognise that we have entered a period of rapid change, with increasingly heterogeneous system designs, the emergence of novel architectures, and the blurring of the traditional distinction between CPU and GPU-based systems, enabling cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) workflows alongside modelling and simulation.

Our overarching priority is to provide appropriate and ambitious compute capabilities reaching out to exascale for UKRI’s diverse research and innovation communities.  UKRI continues to pursue promising opportunities, both individually and in partnership with others both nationally and internationally.

In 2023 the government announced funding to deliver a dedicated AI Research Resource (AIRR). UKRI is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to deliver this at the Bristol and Cambridge sites.

To ensure that UKRI is prepared for future fiscal event and opportunities beyond the current spending review period, we reaffirm this position and are taking the following approach:

UKRI will lead two workstreams in addition to continuing to support government’s delivery of AIRR:

  • one focused on developing the case for large high-performance heterogeneous compute service
  • one focused on a wider investment strategy for high-performance compute to support the research and innovation system, including the renewal of our current mid-range high-performance compute services

Both cases will be developed within a UKRI agreed governance structure that enables senior oversight of the case development and input from relevant internal stakeholders and, where appropriate, external stakeholders.
No decision has been taken at this stage. The selected project(s) will only proceed once funding has been identified, following endorsement by the UKRI Executive Committee and the necessary governmental approvals.

Update September 2024

UKRI is working with DSIT to develop a long-term plan for Large Scale Compute investment. The pathway to exascale project has been paused, not cancelled.

Last updated: 18 September 2024

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