This forum is designed to address the unique challenges faced by HPC centers in resource-limited environments.
Attendees will delve into important topics such as energy-efficient computing. This is an important consideration for institutions operating with limited resources.
Flapmax said the forum will also consider the fair and ethical use of AI and foster open collaboration between research institutions.
How Flapmax bridges the technology gap
The International Telecommunication Union reports that only 28.2% of individuals in Africa used the internet in 2019, compared to a global average of 51.4%.
That’s why, to support participants and encourage innovation, Flapmax’s forum organizers provide a suite of advanced resources.
These include satellite-based internet hardware and connectivity to address the persistent problem of limited internet access in many parts of Africa.
Participants will also be provided with a computer equipped with an advanced neural processing unit (NPU).
These specialized chips are designed to speed up AI-related calculations, allowing them to handle complex algorithms and machine learning tasks more efficiently.
Additionally, researchers will have access to high-memory computing infrastructure and cloud computing resources.
These tools are essential for conducting computationally intensive research and could enable African institutions to compete globally in areas such as climate modeling, genomics, and materials science.
Quantum computing: the next frontier
One of the key themes of the forum is innovation in quantum technology.
Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations and is widely considered the next big advance in computing technology.
Global technology giants are investing heavily in this area.
By including quantum computing on the Flapmax Forum agenda, African researchers are positioning themselves to participate in this cutting-edge field.
Potential applications range from cryptography and drug discovery to financial modeling and optimization of complex systems.
According to a report by Boston Consulting Group, quantum computing could create between US$450 billion and US$850 billion in value worldwide over the next 15 to 30 years.
