Meet SDU’s supercomputer – it would love to be your new digital assistant

Artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm and it is also gaining ground at universities. An increasing number of researchers and lecturers are making use of SDU’s supercomputer service, which, via a UCloud solution, offers a free means of solving the complex but routine tasks involved in research projects significantly faster and more easily.

To see how the solution may prove useful in your day-to-day work, check out this job interview, in which the computer explains the opportunities it offers the University’s researchers and lecturers. However, it has not learned how to speak yet, so the answers are relayed by Professor Claudio Pica from IMADA, who is the head of the SDU eScience Center and the person at the University who has the most knowledge about the supercomputer.

Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

I’m always available – in fact, round the clock – and I never leave campus. My aim is to free up time for the most interesting and value-creating aspects of research work. I help expand opportunities in both research and education at the highest level by automating processes and enabling more complex problems to be solved in less time.

What are your strengths?

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to analyse and review very large volumes of data – from figures and datasets to extensive textual material and literature. I can process several terabytes of data and help identify patterns, key points and relevant insights far more quickly than my human colleagues would be able to.

I am also available to all researchers – not just those with advanced technical skills. Solutions such as UCloud have made advanced computing power and analytical tools more accessible. This means that researchers from fields not traditionally associated with computer science are increasingly able to benefit from the technology – and are indeed doing so.

I have a wide range of applications: from text and data analysis to virtual laboratories where both researchers and students can experiment and explore new methods. This contributes to strengthening both research and teaching.

Importantly, this is a local solution over which the University has full control. Data is managed within our own systems without third-party access, which ensures full control over data security and usage. This also means that we can actively work on how technology can best support research – rather than the other way round.

What about your weaknesses?

The underlying infrastructure is both complex and costly. It requires ongoing investment, maintenance and specialist knowledge to function optimally. In addition, it has a number of requirements regarding the physical environment, including space, cooling and water consumption.

Energy consumption is also a key factor. The technology requires significant computing power, which may have environmental implications. This is why it is essential that solutions are developed and operated as energy-efficiently as possible and that resources are used responsibly.

At the same time, there are security challenges. This type of infrastructure is a potential target for cyber attacks, which places high demands on security and data protection. In light of all these considerations, SDU is in a good position with the upcoming data centre, which is to be developed in collaboration with Danfoss and HPE.

How do we know if your results are reliable?

It is important to emphasise that I do not generate the raw data myself – this is done by the researchers and lecturers who use the UCloud solution. I work on the basis of the data made available to me. Therefore, the quality of the results depends to a large extent on the quality of the input.

At the same time, you should never blindly trust the results. Critical evaluation and verification are fundamental aspects of the research process – also in this case. I can support the work by providing references and documentation, but it is the researcher’s responsibility to validate and interpret the results.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Developments in AI and advanced computing are progressing at an extremely rapid pace, and the potential is huge. With the latest generation of supercomputers, designed with AI in mind, even more researchers will be able to use the technology to speed up their work.

We are likely to see a trend towards even more intuitive interaction with technology – for example, through dialogue-based user interfaces. These tools will increasingly be working as a kind of highly skilled ‘personal assistant’ in research work.

At the same time, it is important to maintain a critical approach. Scepticism and academic judgement will remain crucial, and the research community must actively work to ensure the correct use of data and methods. However, if the technology is used responsibly, it has the potential to enhance the quality of research and also to improve researchers’ working lives by freeing up time for reflection and professional development.

How can we contact you if we need you?

If you are interested in how to get started, please contact SDU’s eScience Center, which offers a strong support environment. Here, researchers can get help regardless of their level of experience.

A number of tutorials are available to help you get started, and SDU’s IT Service Desk can also help guide you to the right resources and solutions.

Learn more about SDU’s eScience Center