Launched last September, the AI Factory initiative aims to make Europe "the AI continent". To implement this interconnected network of AI hubs, the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EUROHPC JU) launched two calls for expressions of interest open until December 31st. After announcing the first seven selected sites at the end of 2024, it unveiled last week the six countries that will host the next AI factories in 2026: France, whose AI2F project was selected, as well as Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, and Slovenia.
The goal of these AI factories is to support innovation in Europe, particularly in key sectors such as healthcare, energy, automotive, defense, aerospace, robotics, clean technologies, and agriculture. They will also be connected to national AI initiatives of the Member States and can rely on European testing and experimentation facilities,  the TEFs, and digital innovation hubs.
Acting as one-stop shops, they will offer startups, SMEs, and AI researchers comprehensive support: access to AI-optimized high-performance computing (HPC) resources, training, and technical expertise.
One of the calls for expression of interest (EUROHPC-2024-CEI-AI-01) is addressed to entities hosting EuroHPC supercomputers wishing to establish an AI factory and potentially integrate an advanced experimental platform for AI-optimized supercomputing. The second call (EUROHPC-2024-CEI-AI-02) is aimed at those aiming to acquire an AI-optimized supercomputer or upgrade an existing EuroHPC supercomputer with AI capabilities and establish associated AI factories.

The second wave of program laureates

While the first seven European AI factories will be deployed during the first half of 2025 in Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Sweden, six new projects will be supported by a combined national and European investment of approximately 485 million euros. Each will contribute to strengthening the European AI ecosystem while meeting the specific needs of its host country. The AI Factory Bulgaria in Sofia (BRAIN++) will focus on developing Bulgarian language models and robotic AI, while SLAIF in Slovenia will focus on developing AI tools to optimize public services and businesses.
In Austria, the AI:AT project will promote the integration of AI in manufacturing industries. PIAST in Poland aims to accelerate AI adoption in various sectors, including space, robotics, life sciences, energy, and sustainability.
The two projects selected in France and Germany will rely on EuroHPC's first exascale supercomputers.
The JUPITER AI Factory, JAIF, will use JUPITER, the first European exascale supercomputer, hosted by the Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany, to support the development and deployment of AI solutions. The project includes an experimental platform for the development and testing of AI models: JARVIS (JUPITER Advanced Research Vehicle for Inference Services), an inference module designed to accelerate the execution and optimization of AI models.
The AI Factory France (AI2F) is based on a decentralized approach involving a wide variety of stakeholders. From startups to large industrial groups, including research laboratories, data centers, universities, and incubators, the project aims to unite all stakeholders around innovative projects. The consortium is led by GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif), in partnership with academic, innovation, and leading industrial players such as INRIA, CNRS, CEA, CINES, CNRS, AMIAD, France Universités, Mission French Tech, Station-F, and Hub France IA.
France will provide its expertise and advanced computing infrastructures:
Clara Chappaz, Deputy Minister for AI, emphasizes:
"France plays a leading role in the development of artificial intelligence in Europe. The AI Factory France project, with the diversity of its services, demonstrates the remarkable dynamism of our AI ecosystem. By offering private and public actors access to data services, training, computing time, and funding assistance, this exemplary project helps our companies innovate and strengthens our European sovereignty."

Translated from EuroHPC sélectionne six nouveaux sites, dont l'un en France, qui viendront étendre le réseau d'AI Factories

To better understand

What is an exascale supercomputer and why is it important in the current AI context?

An exascale supercomputer is a computer capable of performing at least one quintillion (10^18) calculations per second. It is crucial for AI as it enables the processing of large datasets and complex computations needed to develop advanced AI models.

What is the role of EuroHPC JU in the development of high-performance computing infrastructures in Europe?

EuroHPC JU is an EU joint undertaking dedicated to developing and deploying a supercomputing infrastructure throughout Europe. It aims to position the EU as a global leader in high-performance computing, vital for research, industry, and AI development.