AI supercomputer housed sustainably at Eurofiber in Groningen
Hans Louwhoff, board member SURF: “Today we mark an important step towards the realisation of the AI factory. With the successful tender for the data centre, we will soon be able to welcome the European AI supercomputer to the Netherlands and thus continue to work towards a resilient Dutch knowledge-based economy.”
Sustainable housing
State Secretary Aerdts (Digital Economy and Sovereignty) is on a working visit to the AI factory today: “AI offers enormous opportunities for our healthcare, education, security and the economy as a whole. But if we want to capitalise on those opportunities, we must ensure that businesses and organisations have the knowledge, computing power and scope to develop new applications and continue to grow. That is why the national government, the region and the EU are investing in the AI factory in Groningen. In this way, we are harnessing Dutch expertise and innovative strength to drive economic growth and develop AI solutions that will benefit us all as a society.”
Sustainability is a top priority in the hosting of the AI supercomputer at Eurofiber, with virtually all waste heat being reused through a connection to WarmteStad. Furthermore, no surface water or drinking water is used for cooling. The data centre is already integrated into the electricity grid, which means that hosting the AI supercomputer does not lead to any additional grid congestion.
Collaboration for innovation
The Dutch AI Factory makes AI available to innovative organisations in the Netherlands: in particular, innovative SMEs, the education and research sector, and the government. It enables companies to develop AI models and AI applications domestically. In this way, the Netherlands retains control over the technology being developed and we expand our knowledge in the field of AI. The AI Factory comprises the AI supercomputer, which is expected next year, and a centre of expertise. The centre of expertise is already supporting the first projects, for example by linking them to other European AI Factories where computing capacity is already available.
The Dutch AI factory is funded by the Rijksoverheid, the Economische Agenda van NijBegun and EuroHPC JU. Together, they are enabling the Netherlands to play its part in the European approach to AI. A consortium comprising SURF, TNO, Samenwerking Noord and AIC4NL is setting up the Dutch AI factory.