The new headquarters of the INFN National Computing Center has been inaugurated in Bologna, equipped with the most advanced technologies for supercomputing and scientific research. This important step brings Italy closer to the frontier of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The inauguration event of the new National Computing Center (CNC) at the Tecnopolo of Bologna marked a significant moment in the Italian scientific and technological panorama. This center, managed by the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), was designed to respond to the growing needs of advanced computing necessary to face future scientific and technological challenges.
The Role of the INFN National Computing Center in the Scientific Landscape
The new center offers cutting-edge computational resources, essential for research in various fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, big data and cybersecurity. This upgrade of the CNAF data center, transferred to the Tecnopolo of Bologna, represents a crucial piece in the strategy of renewing the technological infrastructure of the INFN.
Synergies and Collaborations
Antonio Zoccoli, president of the INFN and the ICSC Foundation, underlined the importance of synergy with other institutions, including Cineca’s Leonardo supercomputer, also located in Bologna. These collaborations contribute to making the Tecnopolo one of the most powerful computing centers in Europe, promoting a national strategy for a distributed digital infrastructure.
Francesco Ubertini, president of Cineca and vice-president of the ICSC Foundation, highlighted the importance of the Bologna Tecnopolo as a strategic platform for connecting supercomputing and data infrastructures with researchers, businesses and start-ups, as well as encouraging the development of future skills. A significant step forward will be the enhancement of the Leonardo supercomputer, specifically oriented towards artificial intelligence applications.
Contribution to Innovation and Research of the INFN National Computing Centre
Luca Dell’Agnello, director of CNAF, recalled the path of over twenty years that led INFN to acquire a leading role in the international panorama of distributed computing, grid and cloud computing, and in the management of big data . This new chapter for CNC not only amplifies computing capacity, but also opens new possibilities for scientific and technological research globally.
The opening of this new CNC headquarters is not only a milestone achieved, but also a starting point for future discoveries and innovations that will continue to position Italy as a leader in the field of supercomputing and scientific research.