The LRZ at the EuroHPC Summit 2025

Krakow, mid-March: The EuroHPC JU - coordinator of European supercomputing activities - gathers scientists and community members at the ICE Centre to discuss developments in high-performance computing (HPC), quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Several colleagues from the LRZ presented their ideas in talks, panels, discussions. The most important question on everyone's mind at this summit: How can Europe become more independent in the field of IT and computing? One possible answer: by continuing to focus on HPC, quantum and AI and stepping up its efforts in these areas, as these technologies are mutually  accelerating each other and should be thought of in tandem in future. The LRZ is a pioneer in this respect, as quantum, AI and HPC have long been regarded as complementary technologies.

AI for digital sovereignty

The establishment of European Artificial Intelligence (AI) factories is a major step towards European sovereignty in tech. Europe aims at developing its own AI technologies that are based on European values such as data protection and responsible, humane use. The EU AI Act already sets the baseline for this. The LRZ is involved as a consortium member in the German EuroHPC AI factory HammerHAI.

Europe's quantum offensive

In the field of quantum computing, Europe plays a pioneering role in research and development, but should not rest on its laurels. Quantum computing is developing extremely dynamically, also in other regions of the world. EuroHPC JU favours technological openness in this field of research and therefore promotes various quantum technologies - an approach to which the LRZ is also committed. Quantum systems based on superconducting circuits, ion traps and neutral atoms are being researched at the LRZ. During the summit, LRZ specialists presented Euro-Q-Exa, the hybrid quantum supercomputer based on superconducting circuits . This will be hosted at the LRZ on behalf of the EuroHPC JU and is due to go into operation later this year.

Supercomputing gets ever more heterogenous

Many at the EuroHPC JU Summit25 came to this conclusion: the supercomputing of the present and future will be characterised by heterogeneity. In future, supercomputers will be designed both with GPUs, which will also be used for AI applications and increasingly for classic simulation applications, and with quantum chips as further accelerators. The LRZ also anticipated this development early on and integrated it into its strategy. However, the hybrid and increasingly heterogeneous systems are becoming more complex, which is changing the way they are operated, and the choice of software is becoming more central. Efficiency also remains an important issue for supercomputing, with the high energy requirements of AI applications in particular calling for better solutions. The LRZ is involved in several European research projects to make HPC and AI technology more sustainable. (A. Schuffert/vs)

Photo Credit: © EuroHPC JU | Julie de Bellaing