Representatives from the University of Florida, state lawmakers and other supporters gathered at UF’s East Campus in Gainesville on Tuesday morning to celebrate the unveiling of the fourth-generation version of the university’s HiPerGator supercomputer.
The latest HiPerGator is the fastest university-owned supercomputer in the U.S., further advancing UF’s drive to be a national leader when it comes to AI education and research.
“As Florida’s flagship university, UF has embraced a bold and audacious vision: to be the nation’s AI university,” UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini said while offering remarks. “Our commitment to AI is not just promoting economic growth across the state and giving our students the tools they need to be America’s next generation of leaders. It is also protecting lives every day, preserving resources, feeding the world, improving health outcomes and making Florida stronger, safer and better prepared for tomorrow.”
HiPerGator, located at UF’s Data Center on the East Campus, is the latest upgrade in UF’s supercomputer, which dates to 2013 with the investment of HiPerGator 1.0. This was followed by HiPerGator 2 in 2015.
“…In 2020, we made a quantum leap with the gift of HiPerGator 3 from Chris Malachowsky [co-founder of NVIDIA],” Elias Eldayrie, senior vice president and chief information officer (CFO) for UF, said while giving remarks. “His gift laid the groundwork for UF’s investment in HiPerGator 4th Gen.”
In December 2024, the UF Board of Trustees approved investing $24 million to purchase a more advanced version of UF’s HiPerGator.
As part of this upgrade, the NVIDIA DGX A100 – a part of the supercomputer originally donated by Malachowsky – was replaced with a DGX B200 “Blackwell” Superpod, which measures 30 times faster than the previous HiPerGator generation.
NVIDIA was among those who helped jointly install the DGZ B200 Superpod for the fourth-generation HiPerGator.
“This incredible partnership with NVIDIA and the University of Florida is really a testament to the next generation in technology that will power the next generation of thinkers, doers, innovators…” U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack said while offering remarks.
Malachowsky, who is also a UF alumnus, said he was happy to have been a part of the evolution of HiPerGator, but made sure to also give credit to the leadership at UF.
“What they’ve done here, this group of folks and your leadership…represents a model that I think is going to transform the nation,” he said. “It’s bold. It’s powerful. It’s going to be impactful.”
While speaking, Eldayrie said that as of Tuesday morning, “$805 million worth of research is being empowered by HiPerGator.”
He added that HiPerGator has also helped “transform” UF’s classrooms.
“We have more than 2,000 students taking classes in AI. We have more than 42 courses in AI offered every day, and we have AI…across the curriculum, giving every UF student in every discipline the opportunity to learn about AI.”
Following Tuesday’s ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to go on a guided tour through the data center to see the latest version of HiPerGator.
During a tour with media members, Erik Deumens, director for the department of Research Computing in UF Information Technology, said the planning is already underway for the fifth generation of HiPerGator.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
What are the energy costs for this supercomputer? Is it why the GRU bills for the locals are sky high?
Not sure GRU electricity is used by UF
UF historically kept its distance from GRU when it was controlled by the city. Not sure if that had changed with GRU having independent trustees.
The buildings on East Campus have solar panels on the roof to assist with electricity needs.
based on where this is located (not exactly a safe part of town) and the costs not to mention its vulnerability to sabotage I hope UF will be onsite permanently, 24/7 . This resource is too valuable to skimp on security in and around the project.
The location was attempt by UF intituted about 15/20 years ago to work with the city to help upgrade East Gainesville by locating administrative and support functions.on Waldo Road. University computers and data processing were part of the effort. Hence the location of the super computer.
If UF started from scratch today I doubt these functions would be any where near East Gainesville. The radical city government of the last decade has destroyed any viability of being in East Gainesville as a government decision to not enforce law and order has rendered it violence and robbery central.
Agree. I feel that at least one UF Police patrol should be there 24/7. GPD may not be up to the task but UFPD has a vested inerest. Good points, Jim.
There is security on UF’s East Campus and and the facility is gated and locked down during off hours.
East Gainesville and East Alachua Coutu is a government perpetuated tragedy. Fueled by ideologically pure radical left governments.
Fact 1 about 10 years ago the Forest products company that owns much of East Alachua county wanted to build approx 1 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. Creating hudreds of jobs many of which could be filled by the East Gville population. This proposal was rejected as not the type of jobs Alachua county wanted. These job went to Lake City.
Fact 2 East Gaines has lacked a good grocery store for years. The city induced several large ones to open. Walmart and another similar. The city gave large financial support. All closed taken under by a tidal wave of shoplifting.
Finally Hitchcock approached with a proposal. Our local ideology driven government laughed at them branding them as a conservative group and unacceptable,
Our government is a disaster. They aren’t to help east gaiesville. Our government will
Spend your money on show projects that accomplish nothing.