JSC to Spotlight Exascale, Quantum and AI Advances Across ISC 2026 Program

Key Takeaways

• JUPITER exascale system is Europe’s first exascale supercomputer
• JSC presents JUNIQ quantum platform with live demos at ISC
• AI integration showcased via JUPITER AI Factory and Helmholtz AI Unit
• Over 20 JSC‑led tutorials, workshops, and BoF sessions at ISC
• LEGO models illustrate JUPITER architecture and innovative cooling system

Pulse Analysis

The International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) remains the premier venue for unveiling cutting‑edge high‑performance computing (HPC) advances, and this year JSC is leveraging the platform to reinforce Europe’s strategic push into exascale, quantum and artificial‑intelligence‑driven workloads. By allocating two dedicated booths—one for the JUPITER exascale system and another for the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing consortium—JSC offers attendees a hands‑on view of the hardware, software stack, and real‑world applications that are reshaping research domains from climate modeling to drug discovery. The presence of interactive LEGO replicas and live LLview dashboards turns complex engineering concepts into accessible, visual narratives, drawing interest from both technical experts and policy makers.

JUPITER, built on a modular data‑centre architecture with advanced roof‑mounted cooling, delivers petaflop‑scale performance across a heterogeneous mix of CPUs, GPUs and emerging accelerators. Its companion JUPITER AI Factory (JAIF) showcases how AI models can be trained and deployed at exascale speed, dramatically shortening time‑to‑insight for data‑intensive projects. By publicising flagship scientific campaigns already benefitting from JUPITER’s compute power, JSC underscores the tangible value of Europe’s exascale investment, positioning the continent as a competitive alternative to U.S. and Asian supercomputing initiatives.

Beyond raw performance, JSC is championing quantum‑HPC convergence through the JUNIQ (Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum) platform, offering live quantum‑processor access and a benchmark suite to gauge technology readiness. Coupled with AI‑centric sessions—such as the Helmholtz AI Cooperation Unit and multiple AI‑focused Birds‑of‑a‑Feather discussions—the agenda reflects a holistic vision where quantum, AI and exascale resources co‑evolve. This integrated approach not only accelerates scientific discovery but also cultivates a skilled workforce ready to drive Europe’s next wave of digital innovation.