Helvetic AI Resources, Technologies and Services (Swiss AI Factory Antenna)

ongoing

"HElvetic AI Resources, Technologies and Services (HEARTS) is an AI Factory Antenna envisioning Switzerland as a leading contributor to European AI innovation. The core vision is to democratise access to AI-optimised compute and data on the Alps research infrastructure for diverse national and European users, including academia, startups, SMEs, and the public sector. This effort is enabled by the expertise of the ETHZ AI and EPFL AI Centres, and the Swiss AI Initiative, leveraging a newly developed and fully open LLM. It addresses two high-impact use cases: AI-driven weather forecasting and sensitive data applications in healthcare. The strategy aligns with Switzerland's ""Digital Switzerland Strategy 2025"", establishing secure, tiered data facilities. It fosters trustworthy and responsible AI, ensuring compliance with the EU AI Act. The SME engagement and talent development plan includes tailored training and fostering collaboration with universities to cultivate a skilled AI workforce by delivering specialised training courses to 100s of participants, growing the AI talent pool. The Antenna an integral node within the EuroHPC AI Factory ecosystem, maintaining a close partnership with the LUMI AI Factory (MoU signed) and collaborates (LoI) with the BSC and IT4LIA AI Factories, promoting joint technical development and knowledge exchange for interoperability. The Antenna will accelerate AI innovation by enabling hundreds of new AI projects. It strengthens European AI leadership through its interoperable services and commitment to sharing best practices across the EuroHPC network. Maximising impact is ensured through Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication, and ensuring sustainability by integrating services into CSCS's permanent portfolio and adopting a hybrid business model. The consortium-developed tools default to open-source licenses to benefit the wider European ecosystem"