Finding Fulcrum: Global Gatherings and Future Forward

For over 15 years, the Flight Crew has attended, spoken, and exhibited at the ISC Conference held at the start of summer in Germany. This year, we were proud to return with our focus firmly fixed on ISC’s legacy of laying the foundations for the next generation of supercomputing.

Celebrating 40 Years of ISC

This year marked ISC’s 40th anniversary, a milestone that gave the community a moment to reflect on what has been built and what is still to come. We were honored to participate in one of three rotating panels that explored the past, present, and future of the conference. 

 

A Theme of ‘Connecting the Dots’: Next Gen Becomes Now Gen

The biggest buzz at this year’s ISC was the realization that next generation supercomputing is no longer just on the horizon. It is already here. With AI and quantum computing dominating the agenda, the ISC team took a refreshingly practical approach. Instead of focusing on uncertainty, they created sessions that emphasized the steps we need to take to responsibly embrace what is being developed.

Across BoFs, community events, and student sessions, we saw three key themes emerge:

  • Location Shapes Priorities.  Whether you are in the US or Europe strongly influences how you view and engage with AI and quantum. In the US, the focus is on the rapid rise of AI services in traditionally HPC-heavy domains. In Europe, the spotlight is on building sustainable green energy infrastructure capable of powering the growing demand for compute.  
  • Education, Ethics, and Data.  New technologies require not only new skills, but also clear ethical guidance. As AI and quantum evolve, the data we gather and how we manage and use it is becoming central to workload design. ISC took the time and energy to ensure that the right space was made across BoFs and student sessions to discuss these critical topics.
  • Performance versus Efficiency.  This year brought a shift in conversation beyond the traditional Top500 rankings. With the growth of subscription-based services and pressure to reduce environmental impact, a new debate has emerged. Do we prioritize peak performance or optimize for efficiency? The path we choose could lead to very different outcomes.

From ISC to Action

ISC has long embraced an action-oriented approach, championed by its dedicated team of organisers. Rather than resting on past success, the conference pushes the conversation forward—something we are proudly drawing inspiration from for this year’s 3rd Annual Sustainable Reality. Here is how we are applying the lessons learned in Hamburg:

  • Local Perspectives.  We are excited to welcome speakers from the UK and EU who are working on the front lines of HPC, AI, and quantum. Their insights into local impacts will help shape global conversations as we head toward SC25 in St. Louis.
  • Student Voices.  For the first time, we will feature Alces Flight Travel Fellows presenting their research and projects. Each of them represents the next wave of innovation in supercomputing.
  • Continuing the Performance and Efficiency Conversation.  Rather than picking sides, we will explore both perspectives. Our lineup of speakers will help us understand the trade-offs and opportunities that exist between pushing the limits of performance and designing for long-term sustainability.

Join us in London on October 7. The event is free, but space is limited. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations with you.

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