22 Mar 2024 | 4 MIN READ
Novo Nordisk and NVIDIA team up to build a supercomputer in Denmark
Author:
Consultant, Insights and Advisory, HLTH Community
The collaboration between Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) and NVIDIA will create a national center for AI innovation in Denmark. Featuring one of the globe's most powerful AI supercomputers, the goal is to expedite research and innovation in various fields, including healthcare, life sciences, and sustainability initiatives.
Why it’s notable:
POV: While the collaboration embodies an ambitious and innovative approach to deploying AI at scale, its ability to deliver tangible outcomes will ultimately determine its success
Read the news story here.
- The initiative is led on the Danish side by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed approximately DKK 600 million to cover its initial expenses, with an additional contribution of DKK 100 million from EIFO. Researchers from both public and private sectors in Denmark will have access to a cutting-edge NVIDIA AI supercomputer, along with premier NVIDIA software platforms, training, and expertise.
- At the core of the center will be the AI supercomputer named GEFION. Set to rank among the top 25 supercomputers globally, it will be equipped with 15,128 H100 Tensor Core GPUs and Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking. Its robust processing power enables tackling computation-intensive tasks, spanning from protein structure prediction to quantum computing research. Eviden, an Atos Group company, will oversee the installation and configuration of GEFION, hosted in a Digital Realty data center powered by 100% renewable energy. The supercomputer ensures top-tier security and upholds Danish data sovereignty, allowing for handling sensitive data with utmost integrity.
POV: While the collaboration embodies an ambitious and innovative approach to deploying AI at scale, its ability to deliver tangible outcomes will ultimately determine its success
- Denmark has an extensive digital healthcare data set, further accentuating the collaboration's significance in advancing drug discovery and precision medicine. With access to NVIDIA's generative AI platforms like BioNeMo and CUDA Quantum, researchers will be equipped to accelerate protein-based drug discovery and design. This collaboration highlights the growing trend of leveraging AI and advanced computing in pharmaceutical research, promising breakthroughs in personalized medicine and therapeutic development.
- Denmark's strategic investment in establishing a national AI Innovation Center aims to strengthen its global standing in cutting-edge technology. However, its success relies on its capacity to provide tangible outcomes, which currently remains speculative. While commendable for their forward-thinking approach, they are currently navigating uncharted territory, deploying AI at a national scale. Possible unforeseen delays, along with impacts on data sovereignty and security, are significant potential concerns.
- Ordinarily, the Novo Nordisk Foundation awards grants each year worth DKK 5 million in the areas of science and social work. Notably, The Foundation has given approximately DKK 600 million to the initial costs of this project. According to The Foundation’s senior vice president, technology will “very likely” be used by the pharma company in the future. Access that will give Novo Nordisk a competitive advantage in the AI drug discovery space.
Read the news story here.