Big Compute Podcast – Rethinking HPC in Academia

In a Big Compute Podcast episode, host Gabriel Broner converses with Marek Michalewicz, Director of the High Performance Computing (HPC) center at the University of Warsaw, about the transformative potential of HPC cloud platforms in academia. They discuss the shift from traditional on-premise HPC systems to more flexible cloud-based solutions, which offer users access to a variety of architectures and technologies, thereby reducing queue times and accelerating research. Michalewicz argues that this evolution towards cloud-based HPC is inevitable and emphasizes the need to overcome psychological barriers and resistance from traditional IT sectors to fully embrace this change. He envisions a future where HPC is democratized and accessible to all, including newcomers to the field, by eliminating obstacles to resource access. The conversation highlights the potential for increased collaboration and innovation in research through the enhanced scalability and flexibility of cloud HPC platforms.