High Performance Computing: Explore How to Impact AI

On the surface, high performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) do not seem to be directly related. However, as a hot technology today, AI is setting off a new wave of technology around the world. For AI, powerful computing power is indispensable, and HPC can provide this computing power to make up for the shortcomings of AI computing, enabling it to learn and process problems more quickly. This article will introduce in detail what high performance computing is and how it brings huge advantages to artificial intelligence.

What is High Performance Computing

The HPC refers to the use of computing clusters to solve large and complex problems by integrating computing resources. HPC systems greatly improve computing speed and efficiency by distributing multiple computing tasks to multiple processors and running them simultaneously. At its core is the principle of executing code in parallel, which is achieved by parallelizing processes and adding more computing cores, which can produce a fairly large-scale high performance computing system. In HPC, many high-performance components such as 800G transceivers are required.

How Does High Performance Computing System Working

Unlike traditional computing, HPC uses the parallel execution of computing clusters and the powerful functions of high-performance components to achieve the calculation and analysis of massive data. It can use millions of computing cores to process data at the same time, which greatly improves the computing speed. In addition, it also includes high-speed and low-latency components for networking, storage, and computing to enhance the overall performance of the computing cluster. Its working principle is as follows: 

For example, massive data is like a lot of goods in the port, and computers are like workers who carry goods. Traditional computing can only allow one worker to start carrying goods. No matter how strong he is or how fast he carries, his single-time cargo handling is limited. HPC can allow millions of strong workers to carry goods at the same time, and the efficiency is naturally much faster than traditional methods.

What Does AI Meaning

Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence through machinery, which can help humans handle various complex tasks. Computers or computer systems simulate human intelligence by learning, reasoning and self-correcting a large amount of knowledge. Specific AI technology is manifested as automated systems that perform complex tasks, such as autonomous driving, language translation, etc. It is widely used in industries such as medicine, transportation, manufacturing and AI data center. Artificial intelligence systems also have different processing power requirements, which are usually determined by the following points:

The complexity of the task

The size of the data set to be processed

The AI ​​algorithms and models used

When the complexity of the task is high, the size of the data set to be processed is large, and the AI ​​algorithms and models used are relatively complex, a large amount of computing resources will be required. This is when high-performance computing has its place. HPC systems can handle large-scale, intensive and complex tasks.

How Does HPC Impact AI Technology

Artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are two mutually beneficial entities. It can enhance data analysis in HPC, increase the speed of result output and ensure accuracy. The high computing speed of HPC also provides AI with more powerful data processing capabilities, and it also has considerable scalability.

High Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence Working Together

HPC is suitable for AI for the following reasons:

AI applications usually involve complex neural networks with millions of parameters, and High performance computing can run millions of computing cores simultaneously through parallel execution, which is undoubtedly an excellent solution.

HPC has the ability to store large amounts of data and access data at high speeds, so computing clusters can effectively process massive amounts of data and help AI run.

High performance computing can effectively link a large number of data sources, clean and purify data, and store it in a high-availability cluster, which can process AI data sets more efficiently and economically.

High performance computing GPU and TPU can significantly improve AI workloads and support the needs of AI learning and training.

HPC systems have flexible scalability, and it can easily add a large number of computing nodes, GPUs or TPUs to process larger and more complex AI models.

HPC services provided in the cloud can also provide a cost-effective solution, allowing users to easily access and use HPC functions.

How HPC Can Help Advance AI

It is foreseeable that high-performance computing will become an important boost to the development and evolution of artificial intelligence. It can contribute to the development of AI in the following aspects:

Increase the speed of AI model training: The training of AI models requires the support of a large amount of computing resources. HPC clusters with powerful GPUs and university interconnections can accelerate the training speed of models, thereby reducing the time required for experiments and development of AI.

Assist in processing large data sets: HPC can assist AI in storing and processing large data sets, contributing to the processing of wider and more diverse data.

Flexible scalability: HPC systems have flexible scalability, which can adapt to the growing computing needs of AI. As the complexity and scale of AI projects continue to grow, high performance computing can also expand more computing nodes and storage space at any time.

Reduce AI R&D costs: When using HPC cloud services, AI R&D costs can be effectively reduced. Because there is no need to deploy HPC-related hardware, directly using HPC cloud services can support AI model training and application development.

Conclusion

Finally, as one of the most advanced technologies today, high performance computing and artificial intelligence can significantly improve the productivity of enterprises and help develop high-tech technologies such as autonomous driving and intelligent diagnosis. These technologies are undoubtedly future trends. By quickly deploying HPC and AI, enterprises can succeed in the fierce market competition. If you have any question about HPC and AI, please feel free to contact QSFPTEK's CCIE/HCIE engineers at [email protected].