- Lux and Discovery supercomputers will mix EPYC CPUs, Intuition GPUs, and superior networking
- The Lux AI supercomputer is branded as the primary US “AI manufacturing unit”
- Discovery builds on Frontier’s legacy with larger bandwidth and improved effectivity
The US Division of Power has introduced a $1 billion collaboration with AMD to ship two supercomputers, Lux and Discovery, at Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory (ORNL).
AMD says the partnership will assist it ship computing platforms that advance analysis in power, well being, and nationwide safety, with each methods forming a part of the federal effort to keep up an edge in synthetic intelligence and high-performance computing.
Lux, which is able to arrive in early 2026, and Discovery, set for 2028, are being developed alongside HPE and Oracle.
Lux and Discovery – two heavyweight methods
“We’re proud and honored to associate with the Division of Power and Oak Ridge Nationwide Laboratory to speed up America’s basis for science and innovation,” mentioned Dr. Lisa Su, chair and CEO, AMD.
“Discovery and Lux will use AMD’s high-performance and AI computing applied sciences to advance probably the most essential U.S. analysis priorities in science, power, and medication, exhibiting the facility of public-private partnership at its greatest.”
The methods will mix AMD’s Intuition GPUs, EPYC CPUs, and networking {hardware} to broaden nationwide computing capability and energy future AI instruments.
The Lux AI system is described by the Division of Power as the primary devoted US “AI manufacturing unit” for science and analysis, used to coach and fine-tune basis fashions designed for areas reminiscent of biology, supplies science, and clear power.
Its structure is tailor-made for data-heavy workloads that can’t be dealt with by an everyday workstation.
Regardless of the robust technical claims, there’s restricted unbiased verification of how Lux will carry out as soon as deployed.
Its co-development with cloud suppliers like Oracle raises questions on how a lot of the infrastructure will stay sovereign and underneath direct federal management.
“Oracle will ship sovereign, high-performance AI infrastructure that may help the co-development of the Lux AI cluster,” mentioned Mahesh Thiagarajan, govt vice chairman, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
Discovery, deliberate because the successor to the Frontier supercomputer, will use AMD’s next-generation EPYC CPUs and MI430X GPUs.
“The Discovery system will drive scientific innovation quicker and farther than ever earlier than,” mentioned ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer.
The undertaking is predicted to extend bandwidth and effectivity whereas protecting power use regular, a aim that continues to be to be confirmed.
Its backers at Oak Ridge say it would broaden the DOE’s means to simulate scientific processes and design supplies, reactors, and catalysts at report velocity.
Nonetheless, large-scale AI instruments require ongoing upkeep, and it’s unclear whether or not Discovery will meet its power and price targets as soon as scaled to manufacturing.
“Profitable the AI race requires new and inventive partnerships that may convey collectively the brightest minds and industries American know-how and science has to supply,” mentioned US Secretary of Power Chris Wright.
“That’s why the Trump administration is saying the primary instance of a brand new commonsense method to computing partnerships with Lux. We’re additionally saying, as a part of a aggressive procurement course of, Discovery. Working with AMD and HPE, we’re bringing new capability on-line quicker than ever…”
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