KAUST Hosts 13th Saudi HPC/AI Conference

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) hosted the 13th Saudi HPC/AI Conference from October 26 to 28 to exchange knowledge, showcase scientific advances, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The event contributed to the national dialogue on the role of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating discovery and innovation.

 The conference brought together around 400 researchers, industry leaders, and government representatives from across Saudi Arabia, alongside international experts.

 KAUST President Professor Edward Byrne said that, as HPC and AI become increasingly important, the conference provides a platform to explore how these technologies can be harnessed to advance Saudi Arabia's research and development priorities. Byrne noted that these technologies have significant potential to deliver positive impacts in healthcare, energy, environmental sustainability, industry, and the digital economy. He added that translating computing capabilities into scientific progress requires informed decisions on algorithms, data, software, and output validation. He also emphasized KAUST's commitment to conducting research that combines scientific excellence with practical impact.

 Conference chair and Director of KAUST's Research Computing Core Labs Dr. Saber Feki said the conference focuses on topics aligned with Saudi Arabia's national priorities and the university's objectives. Feki also highlighted the importance of transferring expertise in HPC and AI to the next generation of scientists and the opportunities this could create to advance participants' research and support their professional development.

 Over the three days of the conference, KAUST faculty members, researchers, and experts from academia and industry took part in training sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions exploring applications of HPC and AI in Saudi Arabia's four national research, development, and innovation priorities: Health and Wellness; Sustainable Environment and Supply of Essential Needs; Energy and Industrial Leadership; and Economies of the Future.

 The conference showcased successful early-stage projects that used the recently deployed graphics processing units (GPUs) of the Shaheen III supercomputer in HPC and AI applications. Hosting the conference at KAUST also provided participants with a research environment for exchanging expertise, strengthening collaboration, and exploring ways to harness HPC and AI to advance Saudi Arabia's national research and innovation priorities.