The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) has secured new collaboration agreements with global tech giants NVIDIA and Supermicro. These partnerships aim to significantly advance artificial intelligence (AI) development within Catalonia.
President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, facilitated these agreements during his recent institutional visit to Silicon Valley, California. He emphasised strengthening ties between Catalonia and California in research and health. "We are strengthening the links between Catalonia and California in research and health," Illa stated during his trip. The President also expressed his ambition for Catalonia to become a technological leader over the next decade. He highlighted the importance of technological sovereignty for Europe, reducing reliance on the United States.
"Catalonia must shed its complexes," Illa declared from Silicon Valley. "We must lead this area without asking anyone for permission. It will be a positive decade for Catalonia and key in technological innovation, using local talent." This vision underpins the new BSC agreements.
Boosting AI Research and Development
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center, a leading research institution, plays a critical role in European supercomputing and AI. Its new agreements with NVIDIA and Supermicro will enhance its capabilities in AI research and development. NVIDIA is a world-renowned microchip company, while Supermicro provides advanced server and storage solutions. These collaborations will likely involve access to leading-edge hardware and software, fostering new AI breakthroughs. The partnerships position Catalonia at the forefront of AI innovation. They also contribute to Europe's goal of greater technological independence.
International Collaboration and Innovation
During his visit, President Illa engaged with various stakeholders in the tech sector. He held discussions with students from Stanford University, focusing on the Catalan government's strategies for technological and climate revolutions. Illa also met with Catalan professionals in leading tech roles. Their conversations addressed using artificial intelligence for the common good and general interest. These meetings underscore Catalonia's commitment to responsible technological advancement.
Advancing Paediatric Health Technology
Additionally, President Illa visited the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign. This centre is a world leader in paediatric innovation. The visit highlighted an existing collaboration between Stanford Biodesign and Barcelona's Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. Since 2020, these two institutions have collaborated on the 'Impact4kids' programme. This initiative is the first transatlantic cooperation between US and Catalan innovation ecosystems.
The 'Impact4kids' programme, funded by the Generalitat, aims to promote innovative projects in paediatric and maternal health. It develops groundbreaking technological solutions. These include medical devices, biotechnologies, digital health tools, and new healthcare services. The programme currently brings together 52 entities and 110 research groups. These groups represent various sectors, including healthcare, research, industry, public administration, and civil society. This broad collaboration ensures a full approach to health innovation.
These strategic alliances, from AI development to paediatric health, reinforce Catalonia's position as a hub for scientific and technological progress. They also demonstrate the Generalitat's proactive efforts to secure international partnerships and foster local talent.
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Originally published by 20 Minutos Barcelona. Read original article.
