Kazakhstan launches most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia

The country is launching a 2-exaflop supercomputer / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, a new supercomputer — the most powerful in Central Asia — has arrived in the country. The device will be installed in the ministry’s Tier 3 data center.

The supercomputer is equipped with advanced NVIDIA H200 graphics processors, designed to handle tasks related to artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing. It has a capacity of approximately 2 exaflops, a performance measure indicating the ability to perform at least two quintillion floating-point operations per second.

According to the ministry, the supercomputer’s resources will be publicly accessible. Startups requiring computing power for training neural networks, as well as universities, research centers and companies implementing AI in their operations, will be able to use it. Authorities believe such capabilities are essential across many sectors, including healthcare, energy, education and public services.

Since the supercomputer was imported without customs duties or VAT, officials believe it strengthens Kazakhstan’s appeal as a destination for international IT companies and data center operators.

During the recent official visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development and the UAE-based company Presight (part of the G42 group) signed an agreement to establish a supercomputer cluster in Kazakhstan. Presight has already opened an office in Astana.

Supercomputers are extremely powerful machines capable of executing trillions or even quadrillions of operations per second. They are typically used for complex data processing tasks, such as climate modeling, scientific research and industrial simulations.

The Ministry of Digital Development claims that the supercomputer’s launch will position Kazakhstan as a regional leader in AI, providing computing-as-a-service to companies within the country and across Central Asia.

Presight AI, established in Abu Dhabi in late 2020, specializes in data analytics, software development and innovative technological solutions. Since March 2023, the company’s shares have been publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). Presight currently operates in 14 countries.