Month: March 2025

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Montenegro Project Among Winners of FFplus HPC Innovation Call (Stats)

The Fortissimo Plus (FFplus) project recently concluded its first Open Call for Business Experiments, aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt High-Performance Computing (HPC) technologies. Launched on June 21, 2024, and closed on September 4, 2024, the call attracted 126 proposals from 220 organizations across 30 European countries. After a rigorous evaluation process, 19 sub-projects were selected for funding, involving 43 organizations, including 34 SMEs, demonstrating the initiative’s success in promoting HPC adoption among SMEs.

Summary of FFPlus Open Call 1 results (image: FFPlus)

Among the selected sub-projects is “Transforming Business Culture and Hiring Through High-Performance Computing GenAI-HPC4WB,” a notable initiative from Montenegro by a startup company called Recrewty. This project aims to revolutionize recruitment processes in the Balkan region by integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and HPC. By analyzing psychometric data, CVs, and interviews using AI models tailored to regional languages—Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian—the project seeks to enhance hiring accuracy and efficiency. Utilizing HPC resources enables the processing of large datasets, improving the scalability and precision of these AI-driven assessments.

It is great to see Montenegro on this map (image: FFPlus)

The success of the GenAI-HPC4WB project underscores the growing competence and innovation capacity within Montenegro’s tech community. The HPC Montenegro team played a pivotal role in supporting the proposal’s development, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing HPC applications and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. This achievement not only highlights Montenegro’s active participation in European HPC initiatives but also sets a precedent for future projects aiming to leverage advanced computing technologies to address regional challenges.

More information on FFPlus website at [link].

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Successful application for HPC resources, Faculty of Science and Mathematics of the UoM

A team of researchers from the Center for Computer Science of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, through the EuroCC2/EuroCC4SEE project, with the support of the NCC team of Montenegro, has gained access to the resources of the Leonardo HPC supercomputer. These resources will be used for the efficient development of a system for automatic segmentation of 3D views of mechanical assemblies obtained using 3D scanners. Identification of assembled parts and their relative positions is an important step for reverse engineering, automation of the disassembly process, quality control, AR and VR, etc. These activities are carried out within the project “AI segmentation and inspection by 3D scanning”, in cooperation with partners from France.

Successful application for HPC resources at Leonardo (Benchmark call)

Access to HPC resources is provided for a period of three months, through a successful application to the Benchmark call. During this period, the goal is to demonstrate the ability to efficiently use advanced computing resources, thus earning the right to apply to the Regular call for HPC resources

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BSc Thesis: Attendance System Based on Face Recognition

Mr Aleksandar vesovic defended his BSc thesis on the use of AI and HPC to develop a solution for attendance records in schools or universities. His mentors were Stevan Cakic and Tomo Popovic. He defended his theses on Friday, 28 March.

The theses and presentation discussed the integration of AI models into a web application and HPC integration

ABSTRACT – This thesis addresses the challenge of tracking student attendance in lectures through facial recognition. The aim of the research is to develop and implement a system that allows for automatic and accurate attendance tracking, thereby eliminating traditional methods that are often prone to errors and manipulation. The study analyzes the latest technologies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high- performance computing ( HPC) to achieve optimal accuracy and system efficiency. The implementation was tested on a sample of students and demonstrated high accuracy in facial recognition and attendance recording. This work also considers ethical aspects and p r ivacy concerns, given the sensitivity of the data collected and processed. The results suggest that applying facial recognition technology in an educational setting can significantly improve administrative processes while maintaining student security and privacy. Finally, possible future applications and recommendations for further system discussed.

HPC4S3ME and EUROCC2/EUROCC4SEE team members mentored and supported this research
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Using Generative AI to Transform Poultry Farming with Computer Vision

A new scientific publication by researchers from the University of Donja Gorica and DunavNET explores the innovative use of generative AI in digital agriculture. Titled “Evaluating the FLUX.1 Synthetic Data on YOLOv9 for AI-Powered Poultry Farming”, the study demonstrates how synthetic data, generated using FLUX.1, can effectively enhance deep learning models for chicken detection in smart farms. The paper was published in the Journal of Applied Sciences, a special issue dedicated to the application of computer vision in industry and agriculture [link].

Using generative AI to create sytnhetic data used to train computer vision models for agriculture sector

By combining real and AI-generated images and streamlining annotation with Grounding DINO and SAM2 models, the team achieved impressive detection accuracy—proving that generative AI can bridge the data gap in precision farming. This research is a part of broader efforts including PhD research of mr. Stevan Cakic, as well as collaboration with company that produces smart agriculture platform. The research was done in the context of HPC4S3ME project. This was also supported through EuroCC Montenegro initiatives, showcasing how high-performance computing and AI can drive sustainable innovation in agriculture.

High-level architecture used for experiment execution

ABSTRACT – This research explores the role of synthetic data in enhancing the accuracy of deep learning models for automated poultry farm management. A hybrid dataset was created by combining real images of chickens with 400 FLUX.1 [dev] generated synthetic images, aiming to reduce reliance on extensive manual data collection. The YOLOv9 model was trained on various dataset compositions to assess the impact of synthetic data on detection performance. Additionally, automated annotation techniques utilizing Grounding DINO and SAM2 streamlined dataset labeling, significantly reducing manual effort. Experimental results demonstrate that models trained on a balanced combination of real and synthetic images performed comparably to those trained on larger, augmented datasets, confirming the effectiveness of synthetic data in improving model generalization. The best-performing model trained on 300 real and 100 synthetic images achieved mAP = 0.829, while models trained on 100 real and 300 synthetic images reached mAP = 0.820, highlighting the potential of generative AI to bridge data scarcity gaps in precision poultry farming. This study demonstrates that synthetic data can enhance AI-driven poultry monitoring and reduce the importance of collecting real data.

Click on image to open

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Meeting and Initial Consultations with BIXBIT

On March 27, 2025, representatives from BIXBIT, a Montenegrin IT company specializing in software development, AI applications, and outsourcing, met with the NCC Montenegro team to explore opportunities for collaboration and access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources. We were welcomed at BIXBIT by Stevan Šandi, Andrea Krivokapić and Luka Krsmanović. The NCC Montenegro team – Božo Krstajić, Tomo Popović and Enis Kočan—presented the mission, services, and ongoing activities of the NCC, highlighting how local companies can benefit from the support provided through the EuroHPC ecosystem.

We introduced the EUROCC2/EUROCC4SEE project activities and services

The discussion focused on potential use cases where BIXBIT could leverage HPC infrastructure, particularly for AI and generative AI applications, such as computer vision, chatbots, and other machine learning-based solutions. The NCC team presented available EuroHPC calls, including the FFPLUS Open Call, and explained the process of applying for computational resources. Several success stories from both Montenegro and the EU were shared to illustrate the impact and value of HPC-driven innovation.

We went over the options for applying for EuroHPC HPC resources

Beyond technical collaboration, the two teams discussed possibilities for co-mentoring students, organizing joint training activities, and hosting events to promote digital transformation and AI adoption in Montenegro. A follow-up consultation is planned, with a focus on helping BIXBIT prepare a concrete application for HPC access, potentially starting with a proof-of-concept project. This marks another important step in strengthening the link between industry and research through NCC Montenegro’s support.

We also discussed options for FFPlus calls, POC support, use cases with potential for success
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Exploring AI and Misinformation: Workshop and Panel Discussion

A workshop and panel discussion on the topic of AI and Misinformation took place at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) on March 27th. The event was organized in collaboration with the Montenegrin EU House, the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) for Montenegro, and NCC Montenegro. The event brought together students, faculty, and youth ambassadors in an engaging and insightful session led by young AI expert Igor Ćulafić. Opening remarks were delivered by prof. Tomo Popović (NCC Montenegro, UDG) and Dado Dervanović, a representative from the EU House, setting the tone for a stimulating evening of discussion.

Event took place at UDG, opening remarks by prof. Tomo Popovic and Dado Dervanovic

Igor Ćulafić’s presentation delved into both the constructive and malicious uses of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on how AI can be misused for spreading misinformation. Through vivid examples, including several from his own work, Ćulafić demonstrated the power of AI-generated content and the importance of digital literacy in an AI-driven world. The talk also highlighted how advances in HPC have accelerated the capabilities of AI models, making them more powerful and accessible — but also more susceptible to misuse.

There was around 60 attendees

A key message of the event was the importance of education and awareness in combating misinformation. Attendees were introduced to practical methods for identifying manipulated content online and were inspired to think critically about the information they consume and share. Ćulafić also emphasized the empowering aspects of AI, encouraging students not to fear these tools but rather to explore how they can be used for innovation and societal benefit. In this context, HPC plays a crucial role in supporting large-scale data processing and training of AI models, providing the necessary infrastructure for research, experimentation, and development of trustworthy digital tools.

Kee messages were to promote responsible AI adoption and utilisatino of powerful technology such as HPC

The event exemplified EUROCC2’s mission to promote responsible AI adoption, HPC awareness, and digital skills among young people in Montenegro. By fostering dialogue between experts, students, and institutions, it highlighted the importance of collaboration in building resilience to online threats while unlocking the positive potential of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing technologies.

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Online course registration: Prompt Engineering

Interested in Artificial Intelligence? Want to learn how to communicate with advanced AI models like GPT-4?

Apply for a free online course in Prompt Engineering organized by the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) and the NCC Montenegro.

Registration open until April 1st, the coures will take place during April.

Course description:
Prompt Engineering is a cornerstone technique for effectively interacting with advanced language models such as GPT-4, LLaMA, and beyond. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to harness the transformative potential of AI technologies, emphasizing innovative, responsible, and industry-relevant applications.

In the era of digital transformation, where real-time decision-making and intelligent automation are reshaping industries, the demand for High-Performance Computing (HPC) is critical. By exploring advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) models, students will not only develop effective prompt techniques but also gain insight into the computational demands and infrastructure required to implement these solutions at scale.

  • Application deadline: April 1st, 2025
  • Register here: [link]
  • Open to all interested students and high school learners, others welcome, as well!
  • Join the community shaping the future through AI and HPC.
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