A £225 million supercomputer, Isambard-AI, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is set to revolutionize the creation of new medications and vaccines. Located in Bristol, it will be the most powerful supercomputer in the UK when fully operational this summer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently announced an initiative to “unleash AI” across the UK, aiming to boost the nation’s GDP. According to Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith from Bristol University, Isambard-AI gives the UK a real chance to compete globally in the AI and computing space.
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Prof McIntosh-Smith revealed that the system is already being used for developing new drugs and vaccines, including treatments for Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart disease, emphysema, and cancer. Researchers are also using it to enhance melanoma diagnosis. The supercomputer’s immense computing power allows it to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible for humans, accelerating research and development.
AI is being used to simulate how drugs interact with the body at a molecular level, down to atoms and molecules. Previously, scientists had to rely on experience and educated guessing to understand drug interactions. This process was slow and costly. With Isambard-AI, AI models can quickly test millions of potential drug interactions online, narrowing down the most promising candidates faster than traditional methods.
The AI’s ability to refine potential drug treatments is seen as a breakthrough that could save millions of lives. Prof McIntosh-Smith emphasized the immense potential of AI in transforming public services in the UK, citing examples like faster disease diagnoses and infrastructure assessments.
He also compared the potential impact of Isambard-AI to major innovations like the internet and mobile phones, highlighting that government funding ensures the work remains in the public interest and is open to academic collaboration. When fully operational, Isambard-AI will be one of the top ten fastest supercomputers globally.
While supercomputers consume a lot of energy, Isambard-AI aims to be efficient. Interestingly, the waste heat it generates may be used to heat nearby homes and businesses, providing a unique benefit to the local community.
