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TWSC's AIHPC Accelerator gives AI booster to startups
In the fast-paced world of AI and high-performance computing, Taiwan Web Service Corporation (TWSC) powered by ASUS takes on an ambitious mission, driven by the capabilities of the commercial AIHPC supercomputer, Taiwania 2. The accelerator selects 30 AI startups that can leverage the computing power, boosting Taiwan’s AI application.
With a strong background in the hardware industry, ASUS has emerged as a key player in the world of computing and consumer electronics. Over the years, the company has consistently demonstrated its prowess in designing and manufacturing a wide range of products, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, and gaming hardware, earning the trust of millions of consumers worldwide. ASUS's foray into AI reflects its dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation and adapting to the evolving landscape of AI-driven solutions.
TWSC's inception was no ordinary affair; it was founded with a singular purpose—to operate Taiwania 2, a supercomputer designed to harness the 865 GPUs computing power for artificial intelligence. In the global supercomputer landscape, where most systems predominantly cater to scientific research, Taiwania 2 once stood out as one of the top 20 supercomputers worldwide, with an unwavering commitment to sustainable development and exceptional energy efficiency. It once secured a place in the top 10 globally for energy efficiency.
Supercomputing is primarily dominated by academic and government entities. However, TWSC has carved its niche on the global stage by securing a place in the coveted list of the world's top 100 supercomputers, with 25% of these being commercial systems. Only three of these 25 commercial supercomputers are located in Asia, with Taiwan proudly housing one of them.
Commercial Supercomputing Fuels AI Industry Growth
“Two ambitious young men from Taichung came to me, aiming to leverage TWSC to realize their ideas,” said Kevin Chou, CEO of AIHPC Accelerator. At the time, they didn’t even start their company, with only initial ideas, according to Chou. After back-and-forth discussions, Quopilot was founded, an AI startup that automizes the purchasing process for medium-sized companies. The company now is also one of TWSC’s portfolio companies, using supercomputing power to train their AI models.
DeepMentor, a leading AI solutions provider, has also teamed up with TWSC to enhance its AI applications. The startup has gained access to TWSC's accelerator program, connecting with more business partners in the LLMs ecosystem, and demonstrating the growing trend of startups collaborating with high-performance computing for AI advancement.
DeepMentor stands out with its AI system integration and optimization proficiency, coupled with advanced miniaturization technology. They offer fine-tuned AI models for edge devices and comprehensive edge AI deployment solutions, leveraging their in-house system automation design tools. DeepMentor has seen a 500% business growth due to the partnership with TWSC, scaling AI applications with its full package - computing power and well-trained AI models.
TWSC's commercial supercomputing initiative aims to fuel the growth of the AI industry, according to Chou. In the AI arena, TWSC acts as the AI foundry service, akin to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the semiconductor industry. It not only provides computing power but also offers essential tools for forging AI solutions.
AIHPC supercomputer Taiwania 2 trains massive language models, such as Formosa model, which features 200 billion parameters. To put this in perspective, it rivals models like ChatGPT 3.5 in size, making it the most comprehensive traditional Chinese language model available.The model, now open source, is boosting AI development. It empowers researchers and developers to leverage its capabilities in a "no code" fashion, enabling them to train their specialized models for various applications, including medical research, simply by feeding it with data, according to Chou.
Initially, the AIHPC Accelerator program was called a partnership program, having a business model like Google Ads. It sold the computing power to businesses, while businesses paid for the usage. Later, it transformed to collaborate with businesses in more aspects such as technical support, business development, and networking opportunities. The program later turned into an AI accelerator which gives AI boosters to startups.
The AIHPC Accelerator aims to expand its cross-industry cooperation via diverse AI applications, as Kevin Chou himself brings a wealth of experience in resourse integration. Recently, the accelerator partnered with National Health Research Institutes to host a panel, that aims to match the AI startups with biotech businesses.
The AI applications encompass a diverse array, including digital microscopy diagnostics, which has the potential to dramatically reduce the testing time from 200 days to just 2.5 days. In the realm of agriculture, AI is revolutionizing pig breeding by significantly shortening the breeding cycle through precise genetic modeling and full gene matching, resulting in accurate and efficient farming practices.
Additionally, AI applications are extending to healthcare, where projects like newborn hearing loss detection are being pursued, emphasizing the importance of early intervention for improved recovery rates. The accelerator's wide-ranging initiatives exemplify the approach to cross-industry innovation.
Currently, the accelerator program focuses on nurturing and supporting local startups in Taiwan. By connecting the dots, the program will then partner with cities, underlining the program's commitment to regional engagement. For the next phase, the program is set to scale up and become an international accelerator, creating a global network that seamlessly connects startups with established corporations. Taking local startups abroad, is one of the key missions of the accelerator, according to Chou. This transformation will not only empower local talent but also foster mobility and collaboration, creating a dynamic and innovative ecosystem that transcends geographical boundaries.
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