Israel to Build Supercomputer to Maintain Global AI Leadership

In a significant move to bolster its position in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race, Israel will launch a tender next month to establish the country’s first supercomputer. This ambitious initiative aims to ensure that Israel remains at the forefront of AI technologies, as announced by Dror Bin, the Chief Executive of the state-backed Israel Innovation Authority, during an AI conference on Wednesday.

Dror Bin emphasized the urgency and importance of this development, noting that while AI has been a crucial ally to Israel’s tech sector, it could become a formidable challenge if the country fails to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the field. “AI is a fast-evolving technology, and it is imperative that we act swiftly and decisively to maintain our competitive edge,” Bin stated.

The government has committed a substantial budget of $250 million towards a national AI program, which will involve collaboration between the government, industry, and academia. According to Bin, 60% of this budget will be allocated in 2024, with the project slated for completion by 2027. There is also the possibility of increased funding as the project progresses, reflecting the dynamic nature of technological advancements and the need for sustained investment.

Israel's tech industry is a cornerstone of its economy, contributing 20% to the country’s economic output. The nation is renowned as one of the largest tech hubs globally, home to approximately 9,000 startups, over 2,200 of which utilize AI technologies. With 73 generative AI firms, Israel ranks third in the world, highlighting its pivotal role in the AI landscape.

“Our goal is to make sure and to secure that Israel sustains its leadership, ranking, and position in the AI race in the world,” Bin declared. He underscored the necessity of a supercomputer for training large AI models, which is a critical infrastructure for advanced AI research and development.

Currently, Israeli high-tech companies and researchers must purchase cloud computing time to train large AI models due to the absence of a local data center equipped with a substantial number of graphic processing units (GPUs). This dependency on external resources can be costly and inefficient. “When a high tech company or researcher wants to train a large model, they have to buy time in the cloud since there is no local data center with a significant amount of GPUs that can train those models here,” Bin explained.

The new supercomputer will address this gap by providing the necessary computational power locally. It will be accessible to researchers and companies at a lower than market cost, making it a more affordable option for those engaged in cutting-edge AI research and development. This accessibility is expected to stimulate innovation and accelerate the development of AI technologies within Israel.

The establishment of the supercomputer is a strategic move designed to reinforce Israel’s position as a leader in AI. By investing in this critical infrastructure, Israel aims to create an ecosystem that supports the growth of AI startups and encourages collaboration between industry, academia, and government. This initiative is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only enhancing Israel’s technological capabilities but also contributing to the global advancement of AI.

Israel’s commitment to building a supercomputer underscores its dedication to maintaining its leadership in the global AI arena. With substantial investment and strategic planning, Israel is poised to continue being a significant player in the AI sector, driving innovation and shaping the future of this transformative technology.

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