Please provide some real-world examples of how supercomputers are enabling breakthroughs in critical industries, especially in this region.
JY: In Singapore, the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC)’s new ASPIRE 2A and 2A+ systems, which are research supercomputers, have delivered impactful results to advance climate projections.
The National Environment Agency’s Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) utilized NSCC’s supercomputing power for the Third National Climate Change Study (V3) to create Southeast Asia’s most detailed climate projections. By refining global climate models from 100km to 2km over Singapore, they condensed over 3,000 years of climate data analysis into a four-year timeframe.
This groundbreaking simulation offers crucial insights for policymakers and businesses to prepare for extreme weather events, urban heat stress, and rising sea levels, ultimately strengthening Singapore’s infrastructure and economic resilience against future climate challenges.
Another example is the Fugaku supercomputer, developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu in Japan, which made a real-world impact in various fields, including COVID-19 research, disaster prediction, and the development of new technologies.
In supporting Covid-19 research, Fugaku was used to model the spread of COVID-19 droplets in indoor environments, helping to understand how the virus disperses and informing public health guidelines. In disaster prevention and mitigation, Fugaku has been used for real-time tsunami prediction, enabling better preparedness and response to these natural disasters.
What are some talent/workforce development and education initiatives governments, industry bodies and enterprises can embark on to effectively innovate with and operate high-performance computing systems for AI and other related technologies?
JY: Last October, Singapore announced a S$270 million grant provided by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to develop its national supercomputing infrastructure, which includes supporting talent and skills development within Singapore’s high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystem.
NSCC will expand its initiatives to equip local researchers and scientists with enhanced capabilities, focusing on developing advanced algorithms, optimizing large-scale HPC and AI projects, and improving research efficiency. These efforts will enable faster, more impactful breakthroughs across various fields.
Within the region, the ASEAN High-Performance Computing (HPC) School, operated through a collaborative effort involving both government and international organizations, plays a crucial role in talent and workforce development by providing hands-on training in HPC design, programming, and applications. It facilitates knowledge transfer from international experts, equipping participants with practical skills to operate advanced computing systems. The curriculum covers emerging technologies like AI and Quantum Computing, preparing participants for future advancements.
Through a concerted effort involving government, regional organizations, industry bodies and enterprises to identify and nurture top talent, it can ensure ASEAN’s digital transformation and technological competitiveness are supported, keeping the workforce updated with the latest HPC developments and enabling them to innovate with and operate high-performance computing systems effectively.
