HPC and AI initiatives are gaining momentum across Africa, promising to revolutionise research capabilities and foster innovation in quantum technologies.
The fusion of high-performance computing (HPC)’s raw processing power with AI’s analytical capabilities is changing research and innovation across industries.
This synergy enables faster data analysis, complex simulations and ground breaking developments, accelerating problem-solving in fields like drug discovery, climate modelling and materials science.
By combining AI’s pattern recognition with HPC’s computational might, researchers can now tackle previously insurmountable challenges and extract meaningful insights from massive datasets at unprecedented speeds.
Yet unsurprisingly, as nations worldwide vie for technological supremacy, the race to harness the power of such advanced computing has intensified.
Developed countries are pouring billions into these cutting-edge technologies, but now emerging economies are also making significant strides to close the digital divide.
Africa, home to 1.3 billion people yet a continent often overlooked in discussions of technological advancement, is quietly positioning itself to become a formidable player in this new era of computing.
Now, a new initiative by Flapmax, a technology organisation specialising in AI and quantum computing tools, is set to catalyse Africa’s presence in the fields of HPC, AI and quantum computing.
HPC and AI forum launches in Africa
According to the African Development Bank, the continent’s digital economy is projected to reach US$180bn by 2025.
This growth is partly fueled by a young, tech-savvy population eager to leverage technology to solve local and global challenges.
Catching this wave, Flapmax’s new initiative is set to catalyse Africa’s presence in the fields of HPC, AI and quantum computing.
Flapmax has announced the inaugural HPC AI Forum, scheduled to commence today that aims to bring together researchers and industry experts from across the continent.
The forum is designed to address the unique challenges faced by HPC centres in resource-limited settings.
Participants will delve into critical topics such as energy-efficient computing, which is a crucial consideration for institutions operating with constrained resources.
According to Flapmax, the forum will also explore the fair and ethical use of AI, promoting open collaboration among research institutions.
How Flapmax is bridging the technology gap
The International Telecommunication Union reports that only 28.2% of African individuals used the internet in 2019, compared to a global average of 51.4%.
So, to support participants and foster innovation, Flapmax’s forum organisers are providing a suite of advanced resources.
These include satellite-based internet hardware and connectivity, addressing the persistent issue of limited internet access in many parts of Africa.
Participants will also receive computers equipped with advanced Neural Processing Units (NPUs).
These specialised chips are designed to accelerate AI-related computations, enabling more efficient processing of complex algorithms and machine learning tasks.
Furthermore, researchers will gain access to high-memory computing infrastructure and cloud computing resources.
These tools are essential for conducting computationally intensive research, potentially allowing African institutions to compete on a global scale in fields such as climate modelling, genomics and materials science.
Quantum computing: the next frontier
One of the key themes of the forum is innovation in quantum technologies.
Quantum computing, which harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations, is widely regarded as the next major leap in computing technology.
Global tech giants are investing heavily in this field.
By including quantum computing in the Flapmax’s forum’s agenda, African researchers are positioning themselves to participate in this cutting-edge field.
The potential applications are vast, ranging from cryptography and drug discovery to financial modelling and optimisation of complex systems.
According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group, quantum computing could create a value of US$450bn to US$850bn globally in the next 15 to 30 years.
The African Development Bank reports a very low rate of African university students that graduate with STEM-related degrees, such as Sub-Saharan Africa at about 4%.
These numbers need to increase significantly to meet the demands of the evolving technological landscape.
Flapmax’s initiative aims to address this critical skills gap through advanced computing technologies.
Dave Ojika, CEO of Flapmax, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating: “As AI and HPC technologies rapidly evolve, it’s critical that institutions in emerging regions have access to the latest tools and innovations.
“The HPC AI Forum is a key step toward ensuring that research centres across Africa and other developing regions can fully participate in and benefit from global advancements.”
