Computing
Society is increasingly relying on advanced computing capabilities to support the transition towards renewable energy systems, develop personalised medicine, utilise digital twins, and predict the impacts of climate change. This involves leveraging the state-of-the-art digital infrastructure ecosystem through collaborative, connected platforms, services, and products that enable analysis and virtual experimentation. Exascale computing platforms play a crucial role in processing information at scales previously unimaginable.
Within this landscape, computing is reaching a pivotal point where the combination of data, AI, cloud, and quantum-enabled supercomputing will play a more significant role in our ability to process information. This critical shift is driven by rapid advancements in AI, with a surge in demand for computational power that exceeds the limits of classical methods. Further, Moore’s Law is slowing down, as silicon-based transistors approach physical limits. This drives the exploration of emerging technologies and paradigms, as well as their impact on computing for science, research and education.
At the same time, computing facilities are under pressure due to the large energy footprint required for data processing and infrastructure cooling. This is pushing the boundaries of traditional approaches and encouraging efforts towards more resilient and energy-efficient infrastructures.
Globally, there is a growing emphasis on advanced computing ecosystems as strategic assets for science, innovation, and growth, along with ongoing advocacy for the required long-term investment. Computing, data and digital infrastructures are gaining more recognition at international forums, providing pathways for knowledge and sustainable societal development. The European Union, Asia, Africa, America, and other geopolitical regions have initiated public dialogues and launched projects to strengthen their computing ecosystems, recognising their impact on research, the economy, and society.
In the Netherlands, NWO (the Dutch research council), in collaboration with SURF, published a report # highlighting the computational needs for accelerated scientific discovery. Alongside NWO, more researchers and research communities are emphasising the growing importance and demands of computing for scientific research across all disciplines.
Concurrently, the ICT Research Platform Netherlands has underscored the need for long-term strategic investments in the Netherlands, compared to international benchmarks, particularly in relation to Europe’s mission towards digital sovereignty, knowledge, and economic competitiveness.
All these developments are co-evolving, influencing technology, policy, business models, and capital allocation, with implications for geopolitics, global talent competition, and economic and scientific impact. This chapter focuses on technological shifts in computing and their potential effects on research and education ecosystems.