Professor Mark Parsons, a long-time worker at the university's EPCC supercomputer center, has warned that this could be a "disaster" for the U.K. He argues that the lack of investment in supercomputing could hinder the progress of U.K. science and innovation, stating that a country of Britain's size needs a supercomputer.
Key takeaways:
- The U.K. no longer has a supercomputer in the top 50 globally, with its current national supercomputer system, Archer2, ranking 62nd.
- Archer2 is approaching end-of-life in 2026.
- The new Labour government has shelved plans to invest £800 million in a new “exascale” supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh.
- Professor Mark Parsons, from the University of Edinburgh, warned that it would be a disaster if the U.K. didn't reverse course on supercomputing investment, as it would block the advancement of U.K. science and innovation.