EuroHPC JU Signs Contract to Boost AI Capabilities with IT4LIA AI Factory

The IT4LIA AI Factory initiative, which is hosted and operated by CINECA at the DAMA Tecnopolo of Bologna, is moving into its next phase to enable the deployment of a next-generation AI and HPC infrastructure. 

The infrastructure is designed to support demanding AI workloads, combining high performance, scalability and energy efficiency within a reliable and secure environment. In addition, a dedicated European partition will enable efficient AI inference and contribute to strengthen European AI capabilities.

IT4LIA supercomputer will be integrated by E4 Computer Engineering and manufactured by Dell Technologies, leveraging the liquid-cooled NVIDIA GB200 NVL4 architecture. By combining NVIDIA Grace CPUs with NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and scaling through NVIDIA Quantum‑X800 InfiniBand networking, the system is expected to deliver more than 160 Exaflops of peak AI inference performance. The supercomputer will incorporate the VAST Data  platform, enabling a unified data layer for AI workloads, and will also include a dedicated inference partition featuring AI‑optimised inference accelerators from European‑based Axelera AI, complemented by European‑designed SiPearl CPUs.

Primarily designed to serve startups and SMEs, the system will also be open and accessible to the wider research community, enabling the development, deployment and management of AI applications in compliance with EU data sovereignty and privacy standards.

IT4LIA will support the development of a secure and sovereign AI infrastructure and contribute to the deployment of open and interoperable platforms for data and model development.

Since April 2025, the IT4LIA AI Factory has been providing AI computing resources and services to European SMEs and startups through its existing infrastructure, in particular leveraging the Leonardo supercomputer.

The Italian AI Factory offers specialised services in key vertical sectors such as agritech, cybersecurity, meteorology climate, and manufacturing, addressing the specific needs of each field. Complementing these vertical offerings, IT4LIA will also provide a complete suite of horizontal services to support all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem, such as tools for secure data management and analysis, metadata creation, and verification of compliance with Italian and European regulations on data use and artificial intelligence. 

These offerings include skills development, training initiatives, and innovation support, enabling startups, SMEs, and research organisations to access advanced computing capabilities and technical expertise.

Anders Jensen, Executive Director of EuroHPC Joint Undertaking commented: 

“This signature marks another important milestone for Europe’s HPC and AI ambitions. With the IT4LIA system, we are making a significant investment in cutting-edge infrastructure that will empower startups, SMEs, and the research community to develop and deploy advanced AI applications at scale.  IT4LIA will not only expand our computational capabilities, but also strengthen collaboration across the European innovation ecosystem, playing an important role in reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness and leadership in AI”

Gabriella Scipione, HPC Director of CINECA, declared:

“CINECA is proud, together with all members of the IT4LIA consortium, to contribute to the next phase of the IT4LIA AI Factory, a milestone for the European AI ecosystem and a significant step in strengthening Italy’s role in the global technological landscape. By hosting this infrastructure at the DAMA Tecnopolo of Bologna, we will offer the research community, public administrations, SMEs and startups advanced, scalable and energy‑efficient computing resources, enabling a peak AI inference performance of over 160 exaflops. With the support of the Italian Ministry of University and Research and through close collaboration with the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and E4 Computer Engineering, we are building a secure, sovereign and high‑performance environment where European innovation can thrive, fully aligned with European values on data privacy and technological autonomy.”

More details

The joint tender led by E4 Computer Engineering along with Dell Technologies has been selected following a call for tender launched in October 2025.

The new AI-optimised supercomputer will be co-funded with a total budget of EUR 290.000.000 for the acquisition, delivery, installation, and maintenance of the system. The EuroHPC JU will fund 50% of the total cost through the Digital Europe Programme (DEP). The project is co-financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research.

The IT4LIA AI Factory was selected in December 2024. It is coordinated by CINECA and implemented in collaboration with the Academic and Research Network of Slovenia (ARNES), Advanced Computing Austria ACA GmbH, and AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH.

The IT4LIA AI Factory is part of a broader network of AI Factories across Europe as the EuroHPC JU is currently overseeing the implementation of 19 AI factories offering free, customised support to SMEs and startups, complemented by an additional 13 AI Factory Antennas.

About the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking

The EuroHPC JU is a legal and funding entity that brings together the European Union and participating countries to coordinate efforts and pool resources with the objective of making Europe a world leader in supercomputing.    

To equip Europe with a cutting-edge supercomputing infrastructure, the EuroHPC JU has already procured 12 supercomputers, distributed across Europe. These include JUPITER in Germany and Alice Recoque in France, Europe’s first exascale systems.

European scientists and users from the public sector and industry can benefit from EuroHPC supercomputers via the EuroHPC Access Calls no matter where in Europe they are located. The goal of these calls is to advance science and support the development of applications with industrial, scientific, and societal relevance for Europe. 

Additionally, the EuroHPC JU is deploying a European Quantum Computing infrastructure, integrating diverse European quantum computing technologies with existing supercomputers. 

The EuroHPC JU also funds research and innovation projects to develop a full European supercomputing supply chain. This includes processors and software, applications to be run on these supercomputers, and know-how to develop strong European HPC expertise.

With the recent adoption of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the EuroHPC JU’s mandate has been expanded with new action pillars dedicated to the deployment of AI Gigafactories across Europe and the advancement of quantum technologies.

About CINECA 

Founded in 1969, CINECA is a interuniversity consortium bringing together 122 member institutions, including two Italian Ministries (the Ministry of University and Research – MUR, and the Ministry of Education and Merit – MIM), 71 Italian universities, and 49 national public institutions (15 research organisations, 10 university hospitals and IRCCS, 19 AFAM institutions, and 5 agencies and public bodies). 

CINECA supports and drives digital transformation through innovation, designing and developing advanced technological solutions, building integrated, tailor-made platforms for its members, and delivering services that support public bodies and administrations. It is also one of the world’s leading computing centres and among the most advanced in HPC, with activities ranging from infrastructure management to the development of cutting-edge applications, as well as the co-design of technological solutions and research and innovation projects. 

Acting on behalf of the Ministry of University and Research, CINECA serves as a hosting entity of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), and participates in the ITER nuclear fusion project.

About E4 Computer Engineering 

E4 Computer Engineering has been operating as a systems integrator since 2002, specialising in the creation of HPC, AI, Big Data and Quantum Computing solutions for both the academic and corporate sectors. 

With over twenty years’ experience and driven by continuous innovation, E4 boasts a robust ecosystem of partnerships and a multidisciplinary R&D department, and actively participates in research projects such as EPI and DAVIDE, which have enabled and continue to enable the development, integration and support of cutting-edge end-to-end solutions. 

With its roots in Emilia’s Data Valley but a clear international focus, E4 opened a Spanish office in Madrid in 2026. Among its key projects are CINECA’s GAIA and MARCO POLO supercomputers, as well as assurance services for the LEONARDO, LISA and ECMWF supercomputers.