HPE Unveils Austral: A New AI Supercomputer in Normandy, France to Propel Scientific Discoveries

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has introduced a cutting-edge AI supercomputer named “Austral” in partnership with CRIANN (Centre Regional Informatique et d’Applications Numeriques de Normandie), a high-performance computing (HPC) and AI data center based in Normandy, France.
HPE for businessAustral stands as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to advance France’s national AI strategy, co-funded by the Normandy Region, the French State, and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

This powerful AI supercomputer will play a crucial role in training robust AI models, running simulations, and conducting data analysis to accelerate scientific discovery and innovation across various domains, including climate modeling, biotechnology, healthcare, and materials science.

Austral is the latest addition to a series of AI-focused developments that HPE has been actively fueling in France. It follows in the footsteps of prior successful innovations by HPE, including the Jean Zay supercomputer for GENCI, the Adastra supercomputer for GENCI-CINES, and Champollion, an AI supercomputer offered through HPE’s center of excellence in Grenoble, France.

Justin Hotard, Executive Vice President and General Manager of HPC, AI & Labs at HPE, commended France’s dedication to advancing AI and emphasized HPE’s commitment to partner with the nation’s national and regional centers in propelling its AI missions.

Herve Prigent, Managing Director at CRIANN, affirmed CRIANN’s dedication to providing high-performance computing and data services to the research and education community in Normandy, as well as the private sector.