HammerHAI is the first AI Factory in Germany and one of 19 across Europe that were established to promote the introduction of AI technologies. Started with existing infrastructure at HLRS and its consortium partners, HammerHAI already supports the European economy and science with AI computing and services. The consortium partners can provide test access to AI-optimized computing resources and offer services to run and apply large language models. Experts from the consortium train users in AI skills, support them in all phases of the AI life cycle, and advise them on AI tools, AI capabilities, ethical issues, and other topics.
AI infrastructure for Europe's digital sovereignty
"With the HammerHAI AI Factory, HLRS and its partners are pooling their resources and expertise along the entire AI value chain in order to drive scientific and economic progress in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. HammerHAI is thus actively shaping our AI landscape while strengthening Europe's innovative strength and technological sovereignty," emphasizes Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts for the State of Baden-Württemberg.
The operator of HammerHAI, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), have now signed a contract for the delivery of a new AI-optimized supercomputer. The system is designed to provide powerful capabilities for processing medium to large-scale AI workloads for machine learning and data processing. The system configuration is optimized to support research and technology development, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, the automotive industry, and mobility.
"The HammerHAI AI factory offers a powerful infrastructure for artificial intelligence in Stuttgart that benefits both research and industry far beyond the HLRS innovation ecosystem at the University of Stuttgart. With the new supercomputer, we are setting the course to become a key part of the AI ecosystem in Europe," explains Prof. Peter Middendorf, Rector at the University of Stuttgart.
Operation in the new HLRS III
HammerHAI is scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2026 and to go into operation in the second half of 2026. After a transition phase, the AI computer will move into HLRS III, a new datacenter currently under construction at HLRS. As a Germany-based system, HammerHAI will make it easier for European industry and research to comply with EU data protection regulations. Access to this publicly funded resource will be free of charge for eligible system users.
"We invite future users of the system to begin preparing their datasets, algorithms, and workflows now. This will make it possible to begin taking advantage of the system's powerful new capabilities as soon as it becomes available," says Dr. Bastian Koller, Managing Director of HLRS and coordinator of HammerHAI.
About the HammerHAI AI Factory
HammerHAI stands for “Hybrid and Advanced Machine Learning Platform for Manufacturing, Engineering, and Research.” In December 2024, the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) selected HammerHAI as Germany's first AI Factory and is providing it with funding. HammerHAI is co-financed by the European Commission, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture. The High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS) coordinates the HammerHAI consortium, which also includes the Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen (GWDG), the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and SICOS BW. There are now 19 AI Factories in Europe, providing computing infrastructure, technical support, and training opportunities to promote the continent's global competitiveness.
Further news about HLRS and HammerHAI
| Contact | Sophia Honisch, University of Stuttgart, High-Performance Computing Center (HLRS), |
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