It's hard to imagine how a billion billion (i.e. a quintillion) calculations per second and beyond will affect the way we live and work, but such performance will bring new capabilities for a new set of workloads in research institutions and the enterprise. Translated, exascale computing is expected to solve problems previously out of reach with advances in new energy solutions, healthcare, weather prediction, materials science, and so much more.

But why do we need that much compute? A key driver is the tsunami of data being created. By 2025, IDC predicts that worldwide, data will grow to 175 zettabytes, and turning this data into actionable insights—using combinations of modeling, simulation, data analytics, IoT devices, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI)—will be critical. Actionable insights drive business. In fact, 97 percent of private-sector firms that have adopted high-performance computing say they can no longer compete or survive without it, according to Hyperion Research.

One thing's for certain: The breakthroughs expected to be made possible by exascale computing will be breathtaking.

Reaching new heights

The first wave of exascale applications can be found at the Exascale Computing Project (ECP). But as you start to imagine exascale computing's potential, consider how high-performance computing has already changed the world in powerful ways. Here's a short list.

Healthcare advances

Speeding drug discovery with AI and big data

It takes more than $2.5 billion and 15 years on average to develop a new drug. But some people say there's a way to cut costs and speed that up: use AI, cloud computing, IoT, high-powered computing, and big data.

The cure for Alzheimer's may come from a leap forward in high-performance computing

Medical research has become a big data computational problem. One example: Memory-Driven Computing is tackling neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Supercomputing can push forward diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Precision medicine will change the way medicine works

Learn how rapid gene sequencing is on the verge of making medical treatment dramatically more personalized and potentially more effective.

Weather prediction

Improving weather forecasting with real-time, data-driven insights

Deep learning is helping organizations identify patterns in massive data sets, and because learning can be supervised, scientists can extract critical insights without exhausting IT resources.

Generating realistic and accurate scenarios of future earthquakes

Exascale provides the computational resources to do very, very large-scale regional motion simulations.

Food scarcity

Agricultural genomics: Feeding a growing, hungry world

Next-generation agriculture requires immense computing power. Learn how supercomputing and bioinformatics will help scientists adapt agricultural practices to feed 9 billion people.

Improving quality of life

Next-generation sequencing ushers in a golden age of genetics

Here's a look at how genome sequencing works, the computing techniques that make it possible, and the impact it is expected to have on human health.

Pollution reduction and urban planning

How AI and advanced analytics can help save the world's cities

Cities use emerging smart technologies and more efficient processes to make themselves more attractive places to live.

New energy solutions

Design and commercialization of small modular reactors

Read about research for safe, small-sized nuclear plants that generate clean energy for individual neighborhoods.

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