Reflecting on SC24

My Experience at Supercomputing 2024 (SC24)

this year’s supercomputing conference (sc24) in atlanta was a whirlwind! with 17,000 attendees, it was a massive gathering of the high-performance computing (hpc) community – a community i’ve been a part of since 2013. this year felt particularly special, not just because of the sheer scale of the event, but also because of the significant shift towards ai and the prominent role my team and i played.

The Gnosis Research Center Takes on SC24

sc24 was a major event for the gnosis research center, which i co-founded and currently direct. i was joined by five of my students and a fellow faculty member, and we were thrilled to have a strong presence at the conference. we presented papers, held posters, led workshops, participated in panels, and had a fantastic time networking with colleagues and peers.

i personally had the honor of co-chairing the pdsw workshop on parallel data storage, a topic that’s incredibly important in the era of ai and big data. i also presented our iowarp project at the hdf5 user group meeting, showcasing some of the exciting research we’re doing at gnosis.

seeing my students actively participate and contribute to the conference was incredibly rewarding. we even had a poster nominated for the best poster award! it’s through events like sc24 that we can foster the next generation of researchers and innovators in hpc.

The Rise of AI in HPC

one of the most striking trends at sc24 was the undeniable convergence of ai and hpc. this is a natural evolution, as ai requires the immense computational power that hpc offers, and hpc can benefit greatly from the intelligence ai brings to scientific workflows.

this shift towards ai is a game-changer. for the first time, we have tools that can generate new content, act as intelligent assistants, and automate tedious tasks. this opens up incredible possibilities for scientific discovery and exploration.

imagine, for instance, using ai in climate science. we can feed ai massive datasets from sensors, satellites, and simulations. the ai can then process this information, generate insights, and even formulate hypotheses for the next iteration of climate modeling. this is just one example of how ai is becoming deeply ingrained in scientific workflows, both for learning and inference.

the growing presence of major players like nvidia, google, and microsoft at sc24 further underscores this trend. these companies are pushing the boundaries of ai and hpc, and their engagement with academic institutions and research labs is fueling innovation in the field.

Supercomputing Goes Mainstream

another key takeaway from sc24 was the sense that hpc is finally breaking out of its niche and entering the mainstream. with the rise of ai, the need for supercomputing resources is becoming more widespread, and this is attracting attention from a broader audience.

this is a positive development for several reasons. first, it exposes more people to the exciting world of hpc, potentially attracting new talent to the field. we desperately need more skilled researchers and engineers in hpc, and this increased visibility can help address the talent gap.

second, a wider audience means more scrutiny and diverse perspectives, which can lead to innovative solutions and accelerate progress. as hpc becomes more critical to various industries and applications, the collective effort to overcome challenges and push the boundaries of what’s possible will only intensify.

Tips and Hints for Conference Goers

attending a conference like sc24 can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. here are a few tips to help you make the most of your experience:

• prioritize networking: focus on events where you can interact with people, such as workshops, panels, and social gatherings. don’t get bogged down in technical talks – those are usually available in the proceedings afterwards. coffee breaks are a great opportunity to strike up conversations and meet new people.
• pace yourself: sc is a marathon, not a sprint. get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and bring healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up.
• be curious: don’t be afraid to approach people and ask about their work. most people are passionate about their research and happy to share their insights.
• come prepared: bring business cards to exchange contact information quickly and easily.
• promote your work: if you’re presenting at the conference, use social media to generate interest and draw people to your session.

Looking Ahead

sc24 was a fantastic experience, and i left feeling incredibly energized about the future of hpc and ai. there are still challenges to overcome, particularly in the area of data management for ai workloads. however, the energy and innovation on display at sc24 give me confidence that we’re on the right track.

i’m already looking forward to sc25!