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Strategic Calculation: High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing in Europe’s Quest for Technological Power

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Computing power plays a key role in enabling machine learning, for scientific research, and in the military domain. Therefore, the race for computing power has become a key element of the US-China technological competition, and it is also a strategic priority for Europe.

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Left : IBM Q System Computer -- Right: GPU Card
Left : IBM Q System Computer -- Right: GPU Card
Left: © Boykov/Shutterstock.com -- Right: © Sdecoret/Shutterstock.com
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This study focuses on two complementary segments of computing: high-performance computing (HPC, also known as “supercomputing”), and quantum computing. HPC has for several decades been used in scientific research, meteorology, and the military. While states continue to drive the needs for massive computers, the field is also witnessing a diversification of uses in industry. Meanwhile, quantum computing is still at an experimental stage but has highly disruptive potential, as it promises to multiply computing power exponentially. As such, it has become a focal point for government, industry, and investors around the globe. 

In the global race, European countries are seeking to pool resources by encouraging the development of federated computing services, data infrastructures, and a local industry. Of course, Europe faces multiple challenges (the design and production of processors, energy consumption constraints, and scarce private investment) and risks (such as export restrictions and company takeovers). Yet, today, quantum computing does offer an opportunity to learn lessons from past developments in the field of classical computing, and to take the right actions early on, to reap the societal, economic and security benefits of this technology. 

 

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979-10-373-0419-3

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Strategic Calculation: High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing in Europe’s Quest for Technological Power

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Author(s)
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Alice PANNIER

Intitulé du poste

Former Associate Research Fellow, Former Head of Ifri's Center for Geopolitics of Technology, Ifri

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Authentic Modern High Tech Robot Weapon
Center for Geopolitics of Technology
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Artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, space... Technology, especially in the digital domain, is now deeply affecting all human activities and, by extension, international relations. The resulting political, strategic, economic and social issues manifest themselves at multiple political scales involving states, international organizations and private companies. The dynamics of international competition and cooperation are transformed.

It is to respond to these challenges that Ifri is launching the Geopolitics of Technology program in the fall of 2020, which builds on the work it already carried out on these subjects for several years.

The program takes a resolutely European approach to international issues related to so-called critical technologies. Its work is organized around four cross-cutting themes:

  • Power: redistributions of power caused by new technologies, in particular digital; military and dual innovations; transformations of international competition;
  • Sovereignty: definition of critical infrastructures and technologies; industrial and innovation policies in strategic sectors; opportunities and risks associated with international value chains;
  • Governance: ethical and legal issues; interactions between companies, states, international organizations and users; public-private partnerships and GovTech;
  • Society: political and social impacts of technological innovations; risks and opportunities for the future of work, health, the fight against climate change; connectivity and economic development.
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Date de publication
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DeepSeek, hailed as a champion of Chinese AI, represents less a revolution than a significant optimization of existing technologies. Doubts remain regarding the figures put forward by the start-up, inviting a more measured response to the media hype surrounding China’s technological catch-up. Nonetheless, DeepSeek signals the need to question an economic model based solely on the race for computational power. By betting on open innovation, Europe can carve out its own path in a competition that is far from being a zero-sum game.

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Artificial Promises or Real Regulation? Inventing Global AI Governance

Date de publication
03 February 2025
Accroche

The risks inherent to the unregulated use of AI, a key technology and vector of profound transformations within societies underline the pressing need to harmonize governance efforts at the international level. The Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence to be held in Paris in mid-February could be an unprecedented timely occasion to agree on a global governance framework of AI for the public good.

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The European Space Model: Renewing Ambition in a Changing Strategic Landscape

Date de publication
17 March 2025
Accroche

The European space model, based on science, cooperation and trade, is now being undermined by changes in international relations and the economic upheavals brought about by New Space. In light of the war in Ukraine and American disengagement, Europe needs to rethink its strategy by adding a fourth pillar dedicated to defense, in order to strengthen its sovereignty and deter possible aggression against the continent.

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AI, Data Centers and Energy Demand: Reassessing and Exploring the Trends

Date de publication
24 February 2025
Accroche

The information and communication technologies sector today accounts for 9% of global electricity consumption, data centers for 1-1.3%, and artificial intelligence (AI) for less than 0.2%. The growing energy demands of cloud services first, and now AI workloads (10% of today’s data centers electricity demand), have exacerbated this trend. In the future, hyperscale data centers will gain shares amongst all kinds of data centers and AI will probably account for around 20% of data centers electricity demand by 2030.

Laure de ROUCY-ROCHEGONDE Adrien BUFFARD
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Left : IBM Q System Computer -- Right: GPU Card
Left: © Boykov/Shutterstock.com -- Right: © Sdecoret/Shutterstock.com
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Strategic Calculation: High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing in Europe’s Quest for Technological Power, from Ifri by
Alice PANNIER
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Strategic Calculation: High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing in Europe’s Quest for Technological Power