The UK’s most powerful computer, the Archer2 system, has fallen behind in the global rankings of supercomputers. The El Capitan computer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US is now 91 times faster, with machines from various countries surpassing Britain’s technology.
Currently ranked 14th in total supercomputer power, the UK has dropped from 12th last year and 10th in 2022. A decade ago, Britain was in fifth place. The Government is considering additional funding for supercomputing and artificial intelligence systems following a spending review.
Lord Vallance, the science minister, hinted at potential funding increases, emphasizing the importance of having proper computer infrastructure across the UK academic and business communities. Matt Harris, UK and Ireland managing director for HPE, expressed concerns about the lack of investment in research infrastructure, warning that it could hinder the UK’s ability to attract talent and drive innovation in science and industry.