HPC-AI – Asia Pacific Advanced Network

Chair:

Dr Asitha Bandaranayake, University of Peradeniya
Consultant CTO, LEARN, [email protected]

Introduction
The Asia-Pacific region, home to half the world’s population, stands at the dawn of a revolution. A confluence of two transformative forces – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) – promises to propel us toward a future brimming with innovation, discovery, and progress. Within the vibrant tapestry of the APAN
community, this convergence holds immense potential, and the establishment of a dedicated Working Group in HPC-AI is the catalyst needed to ignite its full potential.
Imagine a world where:
• AI-powered medical diagnostics: Leveraging HPC infrastructure, AI algorithms can
analyze vast datasets of medical images and patient records, leading to
quicker, more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.
• Precision agriculture: By combining climate data and crop models with HPC-powered AI, farmers can optimize water usage, maximize yields, and ensure food security for our growing population.
• Natural disaster resilience: HPC-enabled AI can analyze weather patterns and predict impending disasters with unmatched precision, empowering communities to prepare effectively and save lives.
• Unveiling the mysteries of the universe: Using HPC as a launchpad, AI can delve deeper into the cosmos, analyzing astronomical data to unlock the secrets of our origins and the fabric of reality itself.
These are just a glimpse of the possibilities that lie at the intersection of HPC and AI. For the APAN community, this represents a unique opportunity to:
• Tap into a wellspring of innovation: Foster collaboration between HPC and AI experts across the region, catalyzing groundbreaking research and development projects.
• Bridge the digital divide: Equip our members with the tools and expertise needed to harness the power of these technologies, driving economic growth and societal progress.
• Become a global leader in the HPC-AI era: Position APAN as a driving force in this transformative field, setting the agenda for research, development, and application of these technologies.

This Working Group stands not just as a forum for exchange but as a launchpad for action. By joining forces, the APAN community can leverage the combined might of HPC and AI, pushing the boundaries of knowledge, tackling our most pressing challenges, and forging a brighter future for generations to come.

Let us harness the wings of AI and the engines of HPC and, together, soar towards a new era of scientific and technological advancement for the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Objectives:
The main objectives of the APAN Working Group (WG) in High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are:

• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing: Create a platform for researchers, scientists, and practitioners in the APAN region to collaborate on HPC-AI projects, share best practices, and address common challenges.
• Promote education and training: Organize workshops, tutorials, and training programs to equip researchers and practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize HPC-AI technologies effectively.
• Bridge the gap between HPC and AI communities: Facilitate communication and collaboration between HPC and AI experts to overcome technical barriers and accelerate the development of efficient and scalable HPC-AI solutions.
• Contribute to regional development: Leverage HPC-AI technologies to address critical challenges in the APAN region, such as healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
• Advance HPC-AI research and development: Stimulate cutting-edge research in HPC-AI integration, with a focus on developing practical solutions for diverse applications like drug discovery, climate modeling, and disaster preparedness.

Potential Members / Partners:
• APAN member NRENs: Leverage existing expertise within the APAN community.
• HPC and AI research institutions: Collaborate with research groups in the region.
• Industry partners: Engage companies providing HPC and AI solutions and technologies.
• International organizations: Partner with relevant international bodies to broaden scope and impact.
• Government agencies: Collaborate with government bodies to promote HPC-AI adoption and address regional challenges.

Goals for the next 3 years:

• Year 1:

o Establish a BoF (Birds of a Feather): Bring together a core group of members and partners from across the APAN region who are active in AI and HPC.
o Kick-off meetings: Organize a kick-off meeting and workshop at APAN57 to define research, development, and application priorities and develop a ToR and a roadmap for the WG.
o Bring all together: Launch communication channels to facilitate information sharing and community engagement.
o Joint Initiatives: Initiate joint collaborations on key HPC-AI challenges.
o Develop a white paper: Identify key challenges and opportunities for HPC-AI adoption in the region.
o Host an HPC-AI conference: Bring together leading researchers, industry players, and policymakers for knowledge exchange and collaboration, possibly along with APAN58.
o Review, Retrospection, and Planning: Organize the follow-up workshop(s) and meeting at APAN58 to review the progress and revise the priorities and roadmap as necessary, share success stories, and kick off the joint projects.

• Year 2:

o Establish the Working Group: Officially establish the WG at APAN59.
o Knowledge Dissemination and Skill Development: Host webinars,
workshops, and tutorials to disseminate knowledge and enhance skills in HPC-AI, along with biannual APAN meetings.
o HPC-AI Conference: Continue organizing the APAN conference dedicated to HPC-AI research, advancements, and applications, possibly in conjunction with the even-numbered APAN meeting.
o Organize a hackathon/innovation challenge: Encourage young researchers to develop innovative solutions using HPC-AI technologies.
o Collaborate with regional funding agencies: Advocate for joint research grants and capacity-building programs.
o Build partnerships: With industry players and international organizations.

• Year 3:

o Publish: Publicize research findings in high-impact journals and conferences.
o Sustainability: Foster the establishment of sustainable HPC-AI infrastructure and resources within APAN member countries.
o Policy and Guidelines: Develop recommendations and best practices for integrating HPC and AI in various sectors.
o Build upon Success Stories: Review and continue webinars, workshops, tutorials, Conferences, Hackathons, Innovation challenges, etc.

Conclusion
The establishment of an APAN Working Group in High-Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence has the potential to significantly advance research and development in this field in the Asia-Pacific region. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building, the WG can contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address global challenges and improve the lives of people across the region. We are confident that, with the support of the APAN community, we can make this WG a valuable asset to the region.

Gerrit Willem Bahlman was the previous Chair of the Asia Pacific Advanced Network and currently advisor to APAN. He was the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of the Trans-Eurasia Information Network Cooperation Centre ( TEIN*CC) and a member of the Steering Committee.

Gerrit has served as a Chief Executive Officer and Chief Information Officer in several different organisations and countries. He was the interim CEO of REANNZ in 2018/19, and was the Director of Information Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in Hong Kong for 8 years and the Chief Information Officer at Massey University in New Zealand for 20 years.

He has been the Director and Board member of the Joint Universities Computer Centre ( JUCC ) in Hong Kong and a JUCC Steering Committee Member. He is the inaugural Director of the JUCC Leadership Institute which is residential event with faculty and members from Hong Kong, China, Australia, the United States and New Zealand.