technology - WORLDEF

Finland to Host €387.8 Million LUMI-AI Supercomputer Investment

Finland is set to become home to a €387.8 million artificial intelligence supercomputer as Europe accelerates efforts to strengthen its AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.

Europe is moving forward with a major AI infrastructure investment in Finland as the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has signed a contract with French technology company Bull to deliver the new LUMI-AI supercomputer.

The €387.8 million project is designed to significantly expand Europe’s computing capacity for artificial intelligence, scientific research and industrial applications, supporting the region’s efforts to compete with the United States and China in advanced technologies.

Six European Countries to Finance the Project

The investment will be financed jointly by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and a six-country consortium comprising Finland, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Poland.

Around half of the project’s funding will come from EuroHPC, while the remaining financing will be provided by the participating countries. The system will be owned by EuroHPC, with Finland’s public technology center CSC responsible for its operation.

LUMI-AI will be installed at CSC’s data center in Kajaani, alongside the existing LUMI supercomputer. The new system is expected to become operational in the second half of 2027.

AI Computing Capacity to Increase Tenfold

LUMI-AI will build on the capabilities of the existing LUMI system, one of Europe’s leading supercomputers.

The new infrastructure is expected to increase AI-focused computing capacity by approximately 10 times, while traditional high-performance computing capacity is projected to nearly double.

The system will use BullSequana XH3500 architecture, AMD Instinct MI430X accelerators and sixth-generation AMD EPYC processors. IBM will provide storage infrastructure, while Nokia will contribute networking technology.

The infrastructure will also provide API access, allowing companies and startups to integrate LUMI-AI’s computing resources into their own software and development environments.

Supporting Businesses, Startups and Research

LUMI-AI is intended to serve more than academic research. Companies, startups and SMEs will be able to use the infrastructure for AI development and computationally intensive applications.

Potential use cases include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, automotive technologies, climate modelling, advanced materials and large language models.

The broader LUMI AI Factory ecosystem is designed to bring together computing resources, data and expertise, enabling companies and researchers to develop, test and scale AI solutions.

Sustainability Built Into the Infrastructure

Sustainability is another key component of the project.

LUMI-AI will be powered by renewable electricity and use liquid cooling technology to improve energy efficiency. Heat generated by the supercomputer will also be recovered and supplied to Kajaani’s district heating network, allowing waste heat from computing operations to contribute to local heating.

The new system is also expected to work alongside the LUMI-IQ quantum computing platform, creating an ecosystem that combines conventional high-performance computing, AI and quantum technologies.

Strengthening Europe’s AI Infrastructure

The LUMI-AI investment forms part of Europe’s broader strategy to expand its AI infrastructure and reduce dependence on computing capacity outside the region.

The EuroHPC AI Factories programme is developing a network of AI-focused computing facilities across Europe. The growing infrastructure is intended to provide researchers, startups and businesses with access to the computing power required to develop next-generation AI applications.

For Finland, the investment further strengthens Kajaani’s position as a European hub for high-performance computing and AI innovation.

With LUMI-AI expected to enter operation in 2027, the project could significantly expand Europe’s capacity to train advanced AI models, conduct large-scale scientific simulations and support businesses developing computationally intensive technologies.

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Google Tools Generated AED 21.8 Billion in UAE Economic Activity, New Report Finds

Google’s ecosystem of products and services generated an estimated AED 21.8 billion in economic activity across the United Arab Emirates in 2024, according to a new study by research consultancy Public First. The findings highlight the expanding role of Google’s digital platforms and AI-powered technologies in supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, developers and content creators throughout the country.

The report estimates that Google Search, Google Ads, YouTube, Google Cloud and Google Play collectively contributed economic value equivalent to around 1% of the UAE’s GDP, demonstrating how digital technologies have become an increasingly important pillar of the nation’s non-oil economy.

AI Adoption Accelerates Across UAE Businesses

The study found that 91% of UAE businesses already use at least one artificial intelligence tool in their operations, while 87% believe AI represents a significant economic opportunity. Businesses are increasingly deploying AI to improve productivity, automate repetitive tasks, enhance customer service and streamline decision-making.

Google said its AI portfolio, including Gemini and AI-powered capabilities across Search, Workspace and Cloud, is helping organisations work more efficiently while enabling businesses of all sizes to reach customers through digital channels.

SMEs and Digital Creators Benefit

Small and medium-sized enterprises continue to be among the biggest beneficiaries of Google’s ecosystem. Search and Google Ads help companies attract new customers, while YouTube provides creators with monetisation opportunities and broader audience reach. Developers also benefit from Google Play, which supports app distribution and digital entrepreneurship.

The report also highlights Google’s long-term investment in digital skills across the region. Since 2018, the company’s training initiatives have reached more than 430,000 people in the UAE, helping professionals and entrepreneurs build digital marketing and AI capabilities.

Supporting the UAE’s Digital Economy Vision

The findings align with the UAE’s broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Government initiatives promoting AI adoption, cloud computing and digital infrastructure have encouraged businesses to embrace emerging technologies at an accelerated pace.

As AI adoption continues to grow across sectors, Google expects its products and services to play an increasingly important role in supporting productivity, innovation and long-term economic diversification in the UAE.

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Sweden’s PlayReplay Secures $12 Million to Accelerate MENA Expansion

Swedish sports technology startup PlayReplay has secured $12 million in fresh investment as the company intensifies its expansion strategy across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The funding round was led by Nordic investment firm Alfvén & Didrikson, supporting the company’s ambitions to strengthen its AI-powered sports video and analytics platform globally.

Founded in Sweden, PlayReplay develops advanced sports technology solutions that allow clubs, leagues, and broadcasters to automate match recording, video analysis, highlights creation, and performance tracking using artificial intelligence. The company has increasingly positioned itself as part of the growing SportsTech ecosystem connecting Europe and the Middle East.

The latest investment comes at a time when MENA’s sports and digital entertainment industries are experiencing rapid transformation. Governments and private investors across the Gulf region are pouring billions into sports infrastructure, esports, football development, and digital fan engagement platforms as part of broader economic diversification strategies.

Rising SportsTech Investment Momentum in MENA

PlayReplay sees this momentum as a major opportunity. The company aims to expand partnerships with sports organizations, academies, and media platforms throughout the region while enhancing localized solutions tailored for MENA markets.

The funding is also expected to support product development, AI capabilities, and international hiring efforts. As sports organizations increasingly demand real-time analytics and automated broadcasting tools, SportsTech startups are attracting growing investor attention worldwide.

Industry analysts note that MENA has become one of the fastest-growing regions for sports innovation, driven by large-scale investments in football, smart stadiums, esports, and media rights. Countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to emerge as global hubs for sports business and technology-driven entertainment initiatives.

AI-Powered Sports Analytics Market Continues to Expand

For European startups like PlayReplay, the region offers both commercial scale and long-term strategic partnerships. The company’s expansion plans align with a broader trend of international technology firms establishing stronger operations in the Middle East to capture new audiences and enterprise clients.

The investment also reflects investor confidence in AI-driven sports solutions, a segment expected to grow significantly as clubs and broadcasters seek more efficient content production and performance analysis systems.

With fresh capital and rising demand for digital sports infrastructure, PlayReplay is positioning itself to become a stronger player in the global SportsTech market while deepening its footprint across MENA.

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