Nvidia, in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, has unveiled the first artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputer specifically designed for student use. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide students with hands-on experience in AI technologies, a field currently dominated by tech giants and emerging startups.
Nvidia, a leading chipmaker whose graphics processing units (GPUs) power the sophisticated large language models developed by organizations such as OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta, has partnered with Georgia Tech to offer students unprecedented access to supercomputing capabilities. This move is set to revolutionize how students engage with AI, offering them tools and resources previously available only to industry leaders.
At the core of this AI supercomputer are 160 of Nvidia’s H100 GPUs, known for their exceptional performance in AI applications. To put the power of these GPUs into perspective, one unit alone can perform a mathematical operation in a second that would take 50,000 students over two decades to complete. This illustrates the supercomputer’s potential to significantly accelerate learning and research in various AI-related fields.
Exclusive Access for Georgia Tech Students
Initially, Georgia Tech’s undergraduate students will have the opportunity to use this computing cluster, which includes Nvidia’s enterprise AI software and a virtual gateway developed by Penguin Solutions. The supercomputer has already been integrated into the curriculum, beginning with a machine learning foundation class. Plans are underway to expand access to all undergraduate and graduate students by spring 2025, as shared by Arijit Raychowdhury, chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
This initiative not only underscores the importance of equipping the next generation of workers with AI knowledge and skills but also reflects a broader trend in higher education’s embrace of AI technologies. Earlier in the year, OpenAI formed a partnership with Arizona State University, granting it full access to ChatGPT Enterprise for educational and research purposes.
A Versatile Tool for Diverse Projects
The supercomputer, running on 20 Nvidia HGX H100 systems, will support a wide range of projects. Students will explore areas such as computer vision, large language models, robotics, supply chain management, chemical or biomedical engineering, and creative pursuits involving generative AI. Additionally, it will serve as a platform for students to launch entrepreneurial ventures.
By providing a “sandbox” environment where students can experiment and develop their own projects, Nvidia and Georgia Tech are setting a new standard for AI education. This collaboration not only facilitates access to cutting-edge technology but also fosters innovation and creativity among students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future AI-driven world.
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Featured Image courtesy of ANN WANG/REUTERS