Australia is facing a critical challenge in the realm of high-performance computing and data (HPCD) as the country lacks a concrete plan or budget to acquire state-of-the-art systems. The Australian Academy of Science has raised concerns about the nation’s current HPC capabilities, labeling them as moderate and emphasizing the need for an upgrade by the end of the decade. The Academy asserts that Australia requires at least one exascale system to safeguard its sovereign capacity and support national and regional research priorities.
In a recent document titled The future computing needs of the Australian science sector, the Academy dismisses the idea of relying on cloud providers for large-scale research projects due to limitations in handling sensitive data and intellectual property concerns. Similarly, while quantum computing shows promise for the future, it is not yet ready to replace traditional HPCD infrastructure.
Furthermore, the brief warns that without the investment in GPU-based systems, Australia’s artificial intelligence capabilities will be dependent on other countries. The document highlights that countries like the US, Japan, China, the UK, and certain EU members are already planning for the next generation of HPC systems, leaving Australia lagging behind in the global race for advanced computing power.
The Academy underscores the urgency of prioritizing investments in HPCD infrastructure to prevent detrimental impacts on Australia’s science community and economy. By positioning itself as a regional hub for high-performance computing, Australia could potentially attract the necessary funding and expertise to build and maintain cutting-edge systems. Failure to take decisive action risks undermining the country’s competitiveness in research and innovation on a global scale.
