Slovenia opens AI center with supercomputer

Slovenia is pushing ahead with the expansion of its digital infrastructure. On February 9, Prime Minister Robert Golob opened the Slovenian Artificial Intelligence Factory (SLAIF), a national center that will house a next-generation supercomputer. The aim is to give industry and the economy comprehensive access to high-performance computing capabilities for the first time.

Golob emphasized that the government's investments in artificial intelligence serve to strengthen the country's competitiveness and expand technological excellence. The transfer of knowledge to the economy is crucial. "One of the biggest advantages of the new supercomputer and the artificial intelligence factory is precisely this connection between knowledge and the economy," said the prime minister.

Bridge between research and industry

The new system is not intended to be reserved exclusively for science, but will also be specifically open to companies. Industry and business will be at the forefront of its use. In addition, the government is considering granting access to citizens. This could lay the foundation for a national platform for generative AI, which would be located within SLAIF.

The project is co-financed by the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation and the European Commission as part of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.

By 2027, the new supercomputer is expected to replace the existing EuroHPC Vega system, ensuring continuity of access to modern supercomputing and big data infrastructure. The government expects SLAIF to accelerate innovation, increase productivity, and strengthen the international competitiveness of the Slovenian economy.

This article was produced in cooperation with our partner bne intelliNews.