This article discusses the Scalable Hierarchical Algorithms for eXtreme Computing (SHAXC) 2016 workshop that took place at KAUST. Participants at the workshop engaged in discussions on computing issues. The event was held at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Why it matters: Workshops like SHAXC at KAUST contribute to advancing computing research and development in the region.
KAUST faculty, students, and staff participated in SC16, the international conference for high performance computing. Daniel Acevedo-Feliz, director of the Visualization Core Lab, engaged with visitors at the KAUST booth. David Keyes, director of the KAUST Extreme Computing Research Center, received the Top500 certificate for the fastest supercomputer in the Middle East. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's ongoing contributions and recognition in the field of high-performance computing within the Middle East.
KAUST hosted the Advances in Uncertainty Quantification Methods, Algorithms and Applications conference (UQAW2016) in January 2016. The event featured 75 presentations and 20 invited speakers from various countries. Professor Raul Tempone presented research on computational approaches to fouling accumulation and wear degradation using stochastic differential equations. Why it matters: This work provides a new computational approach based on stochastic differential equations to predict fouling patterns of heat exchangers which can optimize maintenance operations and reduce engine shut-down periods.
KAUST is hosting a workshop on distributed training in November 2025, led by Professors Peter Richtarik and Marco Canini, focusing on scaling large models like LLMs and ViTs. Richtarik's team recently solved a 75-year-old problem in asynchronous optimization, developing time-optimal stochastic gradient descent algorithms. This research improves the speed and reliability of large model training and supports applications in distributed and federated learning. Why it matters: KAUST's focus on scalable AI and federated learning contributes to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals and addresses critical challenges in AI deployment and data privacy.
KAUST held a research workshop on Optimization and Big Data, gathering researchers to discuss challenges and opportunities in the field. Speakers presented novel optimization algorithms and distributed systems for handling large datasets. The workshop featured 20 speakers from KAUST, global universities, and Microsoft Research. Why it matters: The event highlights KAUST's role as a regional hub for advancing research and development in big data and optimization, crucial for AI and various computational fields.