High Performance Computing

Key points:

• The EESC endorses this initiative for a EuroHPC Joint Undertaking as a concrete step in line with the European cloud strategy as well as part of a wider EU strategy (which includes Cybersecurity, the Digital Single Market, the European Gigabit Society, Open Science, etc.). This initiative brings clear EU added value with a key technology which will help to tackle the most challenging issues of our modern society and will ultimately be beneficial for our well-being, competitiveness and jobs.
• The EESC considers the starting investment of EUR 1 billion for the acquisition and operation of world-class supercomputing machines as significant but not too ambitious compared to its competitors the USA and China. However, the EESC is convinced that a substantial increase in the investments (in EU Member States) combined with a strong European research and innovation programme will be necessary to maintain a world class level in HPC applications. As the race will continue, there is no doubt that similar efforts will be necessary for the next MFF in line with the global competitors' ones.
• The EESC endorses the industrial approach for developing the next generation of low-power microchips in Europe. This would make the EU less dependent on imports and secure access to top HPC technology. The EESC points out that the development of such microchips also has an impact on small-scale computing because the high-end integrated circuits can be adapted (downscaling) to appliances in the mass market (PCs, smartphones, automotive sector).