The most powerful supercomputer in Europe was unveiled on Monday in Kajaani, Finland.

The world-class supercomputer, called LUMI, is owned by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) and run by a consortium of ten European countries.

The computer serves as a platform for research, and the development of artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

Margarethe Vestager, executive vice-president of the European Commission, described the computer as a major step in Europe's digital and green transformation.

LUMI is seven times faster than the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, and will be one of the leading platforms for artificial intelligence globally, Vestager said.

Europe's digital autonomy depends on mastering the next generation of supercomputers, she added. "Three years ago, the EU purchased eight supercomputers; today, half of them are already operating, three remaining after LUMI will enter operation at the end of the year."

EuroHPC said that LUMI's massive computing capacity is primarily based on its many graphics processors, or GPU processors. These are especially suitable for use with various artificial intelligence methods, especially deep learning.

LUMI is currently among the top supercomputer globally and operates on renewable hydroelectric power. The waste heat it produced will provide a fifth of the heat for the city of Kajaani.