Monash University to Invest $60 Million in AI Supercomputer
Monash University in Melbourne is committing $60 million to build and operate a powerful AI supercomputer, aiming to strengthen Australia's sovereign AI research capabilities. This investment positions Monash as a leading institution for AI research within the global higher education and research sectors.
The new platform, called Monash AdVanced Environment for Research and Intelligent Computing (MAVERIC), addresses a significant shortfall in Australia's current high-performance computing infrastructure. Existing systems are falling short of the requirements needed by researchers and industries, as noted by the Australian Academy of Science and the Tech Council of Australia.
Enabling Large-Scale AI Research
MAVERIC will provide Australian researchers with access to computational power needed for large and complex projects that are currently beyond reach. This investment aligns with Monash’s mission to push social and technological progress by addressing pressing challenges faced by communities and industries.
AI-accelerated supercomputers have a broad impact across academic and commercial fields. Their applications range from health and life sciences to advanced manufacturing, climate science, and engineering. AI-driven research is already improving early disease diagnosis, clinical trials, personalised medicine, and drug discovery.
Focus Areas for MAVERIC
- Health Challenges: Early cancer detection, chronic disease management, clinical trial support, and drug discovery.
- Planetary Health and Climate: Analysis of air quality, Antarctic studies, heat impacts on populations, and the spread of infectious diseases influenced by climate change.
This infrastructure will enable experts from diverse disciplines—including clinicians, engineers, and social scientists—to tackle complex problems and contribute to improving human wellbeing.
Driving Research, Talent, and Collaboration
The investment is expected to boost economic growth by accelerating the translation of research into practical outcomes. It will attract top-tier talent and foster partnerships between universities and industries both within Australia and internationally.
Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, highlighted the university’s strong foundation in data science, AI, medical and scientific research. She emphasized that the key missing element until now was the computational infrastructure necessary to fully leverage these strengths.
“MAVERIC will provide generational capability for students at all levels, equipping future leaders to develop ethical, human-centred AI solutions that improve lives and support planetary wellbeing,” said Professor Pickering.
Commitment to Sustainability and Sovereignty
Monash plans to power MAVERIC using 100% renewable energy, aligning with its Net Zero carbon commitment. This ensures that the supercomputer’s operation supports both world-class research and climate action.
Work on MAVERIC will begin in 2025, with initial activation and core hardware implementation set for 2026. The platform will operate as a sovereign Australian system, ensuring all data remains within national borders and complies with strict data sovereignty and privacy regulations.
Monash will enforce thorough ethics approval processes and data protection protocols, maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive research data.
Monash’s Position in Global AI Research
Ranked #1 in Australia for Computer Science and #34 globally for Data Science and AI, Monash is a research-intensive university with multidisciplinary expertise. It boasts strong partnerships with health networks serving over 4 million people and has an international footprint that supports AI innovation on a global scale.
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