Israel launches first national AI supercomputer to boost startups, academic research

The Israel Innovation Authority announced the launch of the first national supercomputer for AI usage on Sunday.

The launch will allow hi-tech companies and academic researchers to train advanced Artificial Intelligence models using discounted Nvidia B200 accelerators, a move intended to strengthen Israel's edge in the global race for computing power.

Nebius, the AI cloud provider, was selected to issue access to Israel’s National Program for AI R&D, which provides the computing infrastructure.

The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) will deliver the next phase of distributing access to computing resources, with plans to provide a total of 1,000 Nvidia B200 accelerators; 70% will go to hi-tech companies training large-scale AI models and 30% will be reserved for academic research groups. The allocation may increase if demand continues to grow, according to the IIA.

“Following the establishment and operation of the infrastructure, we are now enabling companies and researchers to gain direct access to advanced computing resources through the allocation of discounted accelerators,” said Dror Bin, CEO of the IIA. “This initiative is designed to enable the development and training of large models in Israel, accelerate industrial and research innovation, and strengthen Israel’s ability to continue leading in the global technological race.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Bin said Israel wants to sustain its place in the AI race and that the Innovation Authority launched a program five years ago to ensure all the R&D would remain in the country.

“The race for AI is very fierce around the world,” he said. “AI is a transformative and disruptive technology that will change the hi-tech landscape globally and in Israel. It is a tool in developing tech solutions and also a tool to deliver the product.”

As global demand for the resources needed to train large AI models spikes, companies often face long wait times and high costs for advanced GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).

According to Bin, at least 90% of hi-tech employees use AI and some 22,000 companies have integrated it into their products. However, before the initiative, no supercomputers were designed for AI models based in Israel, forcing companies to use the cloud to teach their models.

The IIA seeks to remove these obstacles by offering guaranteed access to dedicated GPU clusters within Israel.  At the same time, Israeli companies and researchers will have the opportunity to train large models and conduct R&D with lower cost and faster response times without having to rely on foreign infrastructure.

The initiative is open to any Israeli start-up whose main R&D and intellectual property is registered in Israel, Bin said.

“Those who will receive the GPUs will be chosen based on excellence – the level of disruptiveness of the innovation, the economic potential, and the team with the capabilities to execute. We give the resources to the best that the ecosystem has to offer,” he said.

A minimum usage period of one to six months will be required for applicants, with companies requesting at least 16 B200 accelerators and academic groups requesting at least eight.

According to the IIA, if demand exceeds supply, proposals will be evaluated based on technological innovation, business potential, and the applicant’s ability to make effective use of the resources. Designations for academic researchers, coordinated with the Planning and Budgeting Committee, are slated to begin in the coming weeks.

Over the past year, the Innovation Authority has promoted several complementary initiatives designed to ensure Israel has the infrastructure, necessary talent and regulatory allowances needed to develop advanced AI technologies. This includes the development of national data repositories in health and agritech to expand the AI workforce.

Officials say ongoing investment in computing power and research infrastructure is necessary to secure Israel’s leading edge in AI technology.