Scotland’s capital is to host a next-generation computer system with the potential to significantly advance medicine, clean energy and artificial intelligence.

The new national exascale computer facility is built to carry out highly complex functions with increased speed and precision, enabling researchers to accelerate their work.

It is hoped the supercomputer will speed up advances in the likes of nuclear fusion to produce clean, low-carbon energy.

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “If we want the UK to remain a global leader in scientific discovery and technological innovation, we need to power up the systems that make those breakthroughs possible.

“This new UK Government-funded exascale computer in Edinburgh will provide British researchers with an ultra-fast, versatile resource to support pioneering work into AI safety, life-saving drugs and clean low-carbon energy.

“It is part of our £900 million investment in uplifting the UK’s computing capacity, helping us forge a stronger union, drive economic growth, create the high-skilled jobs of the future and unlock bold new discoveries that improve people’s lives.”

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