After completing the experiment on the Leonardo booster partition, obtained through the Benchmark Call, Five Group successfully applied for HPC resources again — this time through the Development Call. In consultation with the NCC Montenegro team, it was recognized that their new project idea, stemming from the ongoing “Wasco AI – Custom AI Assistant Optimization via HPC” project, aligns better with the conditions of the Development Call for EuroHPC JU resources. Consequently, Five Group prepared another application with the support of the NCC Montenegro team, and since mid-August, they have once again gained access to the Leonardo Booster partition, this time for a period of one year.
Wasco AI – Custom AI Assistant Optimization via HPC
We are pleased to share that researchers from the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) presented their latest work at the 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Applied Sciences (ISAS). The paper, titled “Real-time Image Generation Utilizing ARM SBC Architecture”, is now published by IEEE and available at the following [link].
Click on image to open
The paper, authored by Igor Ćulafić, Tomo Popović, Ivan Jovović, and Stevan Ćakić, explores the deployment of advanced generative AI models on ARM-based edge devices, specifically the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano platform. Traditionally, real-time image generation with models such as Stable Diffusion has required powerful desktop GPUs or HPC clusters. This research demonstrates that, through careful CUDA optimization, ARM compatibility adjustments, and dynamic resource management, real-time performance of 2–6 FPS at 512×512 resolution can be achieved directly on low-power edge hardware.
The work addresses thermal management, memory constraints, and software compatibility challenges, proposing a custom ARM-optimized Docker environment and adaptive workload balancing. The results show how decentralized, low-power edge devices can complement high-performance computing ecosystems, opening new opportunities in fields such as healthcare, automotive, and smart city applications.
This publication also reflects the mission of NCC Montenegro to support academia and young researchers in advancing AI and HPC knowledge. By providing expertise, resources, and collaboration opportunities, NCC Montenegro helps integrate cutting-edge research with the broader European HPC ecosystem.
In June 2025, the NCC Montenegro team from UoM visited ITAS. During the visit, they presented details about FFplus Project Call 2 – Type 1, which focuses on Business Experiments. ITAS, an SME specializing in IT and realizing several innovative projects, recognized this opportunity and decided to prepare a project proposal related to their ongoing fintech project.
NCC Montenegro visiting ITAS
As part of the support services provided by the NCC Montenegro team, professor Božo Krstajić visited ITAS on Thursday, July 31, while professor Enis Kočan participated online in the meeting. During the session, all necessary information about the FFplus project call was shared with the ITAS team. The meeting also discussed the potential involvement of the NCC Montenegro team as a supporting partner, mainly providing technical support for the use of HPC resources.
Next steps for drafting the project proposal and identifying potential partners were agreed upon.
As part of ongoing outreach activities within the EuroCC2 project, representatives from NCC Montenegro (University of Donja Gorica) visited 3D Soba, a Montenegrin SME specializing in professional 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions. The meeting was held in July 2025 at 3D Soba’s production site in Podgorica and marked an initial step toward potential collaboration in the areas of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI). 3D Soba is one of the first SME companies in the region to establish a full-scale 3D printer farm, offering rapid prototyping, custom product development, and small-batch manufacturing services to a growing number of clients across industries. Their innovative approach has positioned them as a regional pioneer in advanced digital fabrication.
3D Soba Production facility
During the visit, the NCC Montenegro team presented the goals and current activities of the EuroCC project, focusing on opportunities for SMEs to leverage HPC and AI to improve efficiency, optimize production pipelines, and explore innovative applications in digital manufacturing. Several interesting ideas emerged during the discussion, including the use of AI in 3D model generation and design optimization, the potential for simulation-supported prototyping using HPC resources, and integration of generative design techniques to streamline custom production workflows.
NCC Montenegro team visiting 3D Soba
The meeting was hosted by Miloš Grbović, General Director of 3D Soba, and Aleksandar Masić, Production Manager. Both expressed strong interest in further exploring the possibilities offered through EuroCC and NCC Montenegro support. A follow-up meeting is planned for the fall of 2025, where concrete use cases will be discussed in more detail.
We are pleased to share that Ivan Jovović, MSc, from NCC Montenegro (University of Donja Gorica), delivered an invited presentation at the EuroCC4SEE seminar series titled “AI Meets Precision Agriculture” on July 18, 2025. The event was hosted by EuroCC Turkey and gathered around 20 participants from across the region.
There was about 20 attendess for this presentation
This presentation explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence in modern agriculture, with a focus on how data-driven technologies are redefining farming practices. Ivan highlighted practical applications of AI and machine learning for optimizing crop yields, monitoring environmental conditions, and enabling sustainable resource use. Real-world examples from Montenegrin vineyards and pilot Living Labs were discussed, emphasizing integration of AI, IoT, and edge computing in precision agriculture workflows.
The talk also showcased how HPC resources and national competence centers, such as NCC Montenegro, support the development and scaling of these intelligent solutions for the agri-food sector.
The presentation included HPC powered ML solution for poultry industry
This event is part of the EuroCC4SEE initiative, which promotes knowledge exchange and collaboration among national competence centers in Southeast Europe. We thank the organizers from EuroCC Turkey for the opportunity and look forward to future joint activities!
We are proud to announce that the Montenegrin Coinis, led by Tamara Pavlovic, has successfully secured resources through the EuroHPC JU Development Call to advance the development of their project AIChecker – an innovative platform for AI-generated text detection. The project has been awarded access to 4,500 node hours on the LUMI-G supercomputer, one of the most powerful computing systems in Europe, for a 12-month development phase starting in July 2025.
The team will focus on detection of AI generated text in digital media
Their project addresses a pressing global issue: the detection of AI-generated text in digital communication, education, and research. With the rapid rise of large language models (LLMs), the boundaries between human- and machine-written content are increasingly blurred. This project aims to safeguard writing integrity and foster the ethical use of generative AI technologies.
The project to be implemented during 12-month period using LUMI-G partition
As part of the ongoing EuroCC2 activities, representatives of the HPC National Competence Center (NCC) Montenegro, hosted at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), visited the private medical institution Poliklinika Filipović in Podgorica. During the visit, the NCC team met with Dr. Verica Stanišić, a radiology specialist at the clinic, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the application of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics.
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the clinic to the mission of EuroCC2, and to explore how state-of-the-art computational technologies can support the analysis of medical images, particularly in the context of early detection and prevention of breast cancer. The NCC Montenegro team shared insights into available national and European resources for HPC and AI, and highlighted use cases relevant to image analysis and clinical decision support.
Our host was dr Verica Stanisic
Our hosts presented the work of Poliklinika Filipović and demonstrated some of the latest imaging technologies they employ, including digital mammography, ultrasound, and elastography, which are crucial for early breast cancer detection and monitoring. These technologies are supported by a highly professional team and modern diagnostic infrastructure, forming a strong foundation for innovative clinical research and development.
The meeting concluded with a mutual interest in establishing future cooperation, including the joint exploration of pilot use cases in AI-assisted image interpretation and diagnostics. A follow-up meeting is already planned, where additional team members from both NCC Montenegro and Poliklinika Filipović will join the discussion to define next steps.
Another consultation meeting will be organized soon
This visit represents another important step in building cross-sectoral bridges between the HPC/AI community and healthcare professionals in Montenegro, paving the way for innovations that benefit both clinicians and patients.
