From 16–20 June 2026, FAU graduate student Mohammadmoein Moradi, who is pursuing an M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, attended the inaugural Summer School on HPC Driving AI in Heilbronn, funded by a travel grant from NHR@FAU.
Organized by a consortium comprising TUM, ETH Zürich, Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS), and Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ), the event brought together researchers, students, and HPC experts for five days of lectures, hands-on training, and networking.
The AI Summer School’s Broad Program
The summer school explored the evolving relationship between high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), covering topics ranging from the philosophical implications of AI to the technical foundations of state-of-the-art HPC systems. Participants gained practical experience with distributed GPU programming on the JUPITER supercomputer, learning performance optimization techniques using MPI, CUDA-aware MPI, NCCL, NVSHMEM, and profiling tools.
The program also showcased a wide range of real-world applications, including AI model training, mixed-precision computing for astronomy and weather forecasting, neural surrogate models for energy systems, and innovative ideas for improving energy efficiency by adapting HPC workloads to power grid conditions. A panel discussion highlighted the close interplay between HPC and AI, emphasizing how decades of HPC expertise have enabled modern AI while AI is simultaneously reshaping the design of next-generation supercomputing infrastructures.
Presentations from leading HPC centers—including RIKEN, CSCS, and JSC—provided valuable insights into the development of future supercomputers, sustainable infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the growing role of HPC in supporting scientific research, startups, and industry. The week concluded with the final GPU computing tutorial sessions and a visit to the University Dragon Boat races on the Neckar River. Beyond the technical program, the summer school offered excellent opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers from across Europe and to build new professional connections.