Driving Innovation and Capacity Building: HPC/AI Workshop and Student Conference

The University of Donja Gorica hosted the highly anticipated HPC/AI Workshop and Student Conference on Saturday, December 21st. This event served as a key platform to highlight the outcomes of the HPC4S3ME IPA project and the AIFusion training program supported by the Innovation Fund of Montenegro. Both projects were developed within the framework of EuroCC2/EuroCC4SEE, with support from the NCC Montenegro team. The events showcased significant advancements in high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) in Montenegro.

Mr Stevan Cakic presenting AIFustion training supported by the Innovation Fund of Montenegro
Ms Zoja Scekic presenting HPC4S3ME project results

The workshop commenced with presentations on the results and achievements of the HPC4S3ME and AIFusion projects. Participants were also introduced to the activities and contributions of NCC Montenegro and the broader EuroCC2/EuroCC4SEE initiatives. These sessions underscored the critical role of collaboration and innovation in advancing HPC and AI capabilities.

Dr Luka Filipovic discussing the EuroCC2/EuroCC4SEE projects and HPC initiatives/opportunities

A highlight of the event was the student conference, which featured 19 project presentations by student teams, primarily from MSc and BSc programs. These projects demonstrated the creativity, technical acumen, and forward-thinking approaches of the next generation of researchers and innovators. The diversity of ideas presented reflected the growing interest and expertise in leveraging HPC and AI for real-world applications. The project discussed HPC and AI applications in digital transformation of education, medicine, fashion, mathematcis, and tourism.

A variety of interesting project implemented by student teams were presented
Computer vision and robotics applications
AI/ML in education
Potential HPC/AI applications in medicine

The day concluded with a dynamic panel discussion focusing on the potential of HPC and AI, emphasizing the importance of training, skills development, and success stories from academia and industry. Experts and participants engaged in vibrant discussions, exchanging insights and exploring the future possibilities of these transformative technologies.

This event was a great way to conclude activities in 2024

With over 50 attendees, the event fostered a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, encouraging knowledge sharing and networking. The conference provided participants with an inspiring experience, leaving them motivated to explore further advancements in HPC and AI.

Over 50 people attended the event

The event concluded on a high note with a cocktail reception, offering attendees the opportunity to network in an informal setting. This gathering reaffirmed the University of Donja Gorica’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in HPC and AI, further establishing its role as a regional leader in these critical domains.

The event finished with a coctail and networking in the club

The Book of abastracts can be accessed by clicking on the image below (link).

Click on image to access the book of abstracts

HPC/AI Workshop and Student Conference

On Saturday, December 21st, the University of Donja Gorica will host an HPC/AI Workshop and Student Conference, where participants from the AIFusion and HPC4S3ME projects will present their results.

HPC/AI Workshop and student conference are organized in context of HPC4S3ME and AI Fusion projects

The event will include:

  • Presentation of key results and achievements of both projects,
  • NCC Montenegro and EuroCC2/EuroCC4SEE presentation,
  • Presentation of student projects,
  • Panel discussion,
  • Coctail and networking.

Location: AP Amphitheatre, University of Donja Gorica
Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm

The full agenda:

After the program, the socializing will continue with a cocktail.
Join us to celebrate the results and exchange ideas in the field of HPC and AI

New training course offering: Prompt Engineering

Course Description: Prompt Engineering

During the Fall 2024, the NCC team at UDG developed a new training offering aimed at the the use of generative AI, mos specifically at real-life LLM applications and digital transformation. The training was developed based on the communications with students and industry representatives. The initial enrollment in November was over 40 students, where most of them are expected to finish the training by 20 December.

The study of Prompt Engineering represents a cornerstone technique for effective interaction with advanced language models such as GPT-4, LLama and beyond. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the transformative potential of AI technologies, emphasizing innovative, responsible, and industry-specific applications. In an era of digital transformation, where real-time decision-making and intelligent automation shape industries, the demand for high-performance computing (HPC) is critical. By exploring advanced natural language processing (NLP) models, students will not only develop effective querying techniques but also understand the computational requirements and infrastructure needed to implement these solutions at scale.

Unlocking the Power of AI: The Role of High-Performance Computing in Real-Life LLM Applications and Digital Transformation

As large language models become more sophisticated, their computational demands grow exponentially. Applications such as real-time customer interactions, predictive analytics, and decision support in fields like healthcare and education require HPC infrastructure to ensure performance and scalability. This course bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation, highlighting how HPC enables the deployment of robust AI solutions, thus driving innovation in the digital age. Whether you’re preparing to lead AI projects in academia or industry, this course provides the essential knowledge to leverage AI technologies responsibly and effectively, positioning you at the forefront of digital transformation.

Course Content Overview (12 Modules)

  1. Introduction to Prompt Engineering – Fundamentals, significance, and applications of prompt structuring.
  2. Understanding AI Models – Overview of how language models process inputs and generate outputs.
  3. Contextual Importance – Strategies to define and provide context for optimal AI performance.
  4. Crafting Effective Prompts – Techniques for prompt structuring, tone control, and style customization.
  5. Advanced Prompting Techniques – Multi-step prompts, variable integration, and scenario-specific tasks.
  6. Experimentation and Iterative Improvement – Testing, analyzing, and refining prompts for enhanced outcomes.
  7. Industry-Specific Applications – Practical use cases in medicine, education, marketing, and law.
  8. Integrative Techniques – Combining chain-of-thought and meta-prompting for adaptability.
  9. Ethics in Prompt Engineering – Addressing bias, preventing misuse, and upholding ethical AI standards.
  10. Technical Foundations of NLP and Transformers – Key principles of NLP and the mechanics of transformers with a focus on HPC for scaling AI solutions.
  11. Real-life LLM applications, digital transformation, and the need for computing resources.
  12. Introduction ot high-performance computing and uptake to HPC considerations

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Design and structure effective prompts tailored to diverse tasks.
  • Apply advanced techniques such as chain-of-thought and meta-prompting to complex scenarios.
  • Evaluate and optimize AI model responses through iterative feedback loops.
  • Customize prompts for specific industrial needs while adhering to ethical standards.
  • Comprehend technical aspects of transformer-based NLP models.
  • LLMs and digital transformation, the need for computing resources for real-life applications

Lecture by prof Kezunovic from Texas A&M on AI/HPC supported risk management in energy sector

As planned, the invited lecture “Risk Management of Future Large-Scale Electrification” by prof. Mladen Kezunovic took place on 25 October 2024 in Enterpreneurial nest at UDG. Threre was over 60 attendees including students, academics from Montenegrin universities and representatives from the industry. This workshop was organized in the context of HPC4S3ME project and supported by EUROCC NCC Montenegro team.

What are the risks? Methodology for risk management and mitigation? What data do we have and how do we manage all that data? How can AI/ML supported by HPC help?

Dr. Mladen Kezunovic is a University Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M with over 35 years of expertise in power engineering. Renowned globally, Dr. Kezunovic has authored over 600 papers and consulted for 50+ companies worldwide. His extensive research and industry contributions, notably in fault modeling, data analytics, and smart grids, have earned him IEEE Life Fellow status and recognition from the US National Academy of Engineering.

prof. Kezunovic from Texas A&M gave presentation on a nove approach to Risk managemement in energy sector
The workshop took place on 25 october at UDG
Over 60 people attended
How AI/ML supported by HPC can help mitigate risk in energy sector?

Upcoming Lecture: “Risk Management of Future Large-Scale Electrification”

The global shift towards large-scale electrification brings significant opportunities, yet also introduces complex risks that require our immediate attention. Join us for an insightful lecture by Prof. Mladen Kezunovic, a leader in power engineering and data analytics, as he delves into the challenges and risks posed by the evolution of the electric grid.

Prof. Kezunovic will outline the motivation behind large-scale electrification, addressing the unique vulnerabilities emerging from critical infrastructure interdependencies. This talk will highlight risks such as environmental impacts, aging infrastructure, the rise of distributed energy resources, digitalization challenges, and behavioral factors. Prof. Kezunovic will discuss innovative machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions for predicting and mitigating these risks, offering a glimpse into the future of resilient grid design.

Invited lecture from distinguished professor from Texas A&M

Attendees will gain insight into an essential case study on the State-of-Risk-Prediction for grid outages, shedding light on the shift toward a risk-informed control and protection paradigm. The discussion will touch on a holistic approach encompassing IT management, big data, interoperability, and high-performance computing, emphasizing the necessity of these tools for advancing data analytics and AI-powered solutions in electrification. This lecture is organized with the support of EUROCC NCC Montenegro and HPC4S3ME.

About the Speaker: Dr. Mladen Kezunovic is a University Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M with over 35 years of expertise in power engineering. Renowned globally, Dr. Kezunovic has authored over 600 papers and consulted for 50+ companies worldwide. His extensive research and industry contributions, notably in fault modeling, data analytics, and smart grids, have earned him IEEE Life Fellow status and recognition from the US National Academy of Engineering. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the foremost experts in the field!

Supporting Training on AI in Pharmaceutical Industry

At the Avala Hotel in Budva, on September 27, 2024, as part of the international EPhEU event, the association of pharmacy organizations from Europe (September 26 to 28, 2024), a session on Module 6 of continuing education for Montenegrin pharmacists was held, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy: Digital Challenges, Myths and Misconceptions Incorporated in Digital Media, the Need for New Competencies for Pharmacists.” This event gathered over 150 experts, both online and in person, from the field of pharmacy, aiming to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the pharmaceutical sector.

Mr Cakic gave a lecture on AI and applications in Pharmaceutical industry

Mr Stevan Čakić from UDG and NCC Montenegro gave a lecture on the history and development of AI, emphasizing its growing importance in pharmacy. Then a special attention was given to the application of AI in drug development, personalized therapy, and optimization of pharmaceutical services. The discussion addressed the potential of AI and HPC to reshape the way pharmacists perform their daily tasks, as well as the need to improve skills and knowledge to adapt to new technologies.

This hybrid event took place in Avala hotel in Budva and online with around 150 attendees

It was concluded that an interdisciplinary approach is crucial for the proper implementation of AI solutions in pharmacy. Experts from technology, pharmacy, and regulatory fields must work closely together to ensure that AI technologies are used in an ethical and efficient manner. This educational module confirmed that the pharmaceutical industry is on the brink of a major technological transformation, where AI will play a significant role, and the future of pharmacy will depend on the ability of its professionals to adopt new digital competencies.

More on the event: https://pkfe.me/edukativni-programi/

The AI Conference on Building a National AI Strategy

The AI Conference, organized by the World Bank on September 24-25, 2024, in Budva, Montenegro, brought together global AI experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both the public sector and academia to explore the integration of AI into national strategies/policies, government operations, and public services. Representatives from NCC Montenegro actively participated in the two-day workshops, engaging in discussions on AI opportunities, challenges, and practical use cases for public administration. They emphasize the importance of digital upskilling and AI expertise, the need for data repositories and open data policies, and the establishment of advanced computing infrastructure. NCC also elaborated on its activities and efforts in the development of a HPC/AI ecosystem in Montenegro.

Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration, delivered a welcoming speech recognizing the necessity of AI and its potential to enhance public administration, economic development, and societal progress. He highlighted AI’s ability to enrich citizens’ lives through personalized services, enhanced resource management, business process optimization, and new innovation opportunities. The Ministry of Public Administration, in partnership with the World Bank through the BEST project, is set to develop a strategic roadmap for AI adoption in Montenegro.

Dr. Keegan McBride, lecturer in AI, Government, and Policy at the Oxford Internet Institute, outlined essential AI concepts for public sector implementation. Barbara Ubaldi, Head of the Digital Government and Data Unit at OECD, shared valuable insights from AI strategies in OECD countries, highlighting various public sector AI applications, and lessons learned. AI expert, Varun Hemachandran presented practical examples of AI in government contexts, while Divya Siddarth, Executive Director of the Collective Intelligence Project, stressed the critical role of stakeholder engagement in AI development.

Participants engaged in working groups and brainstorming sessions focused on envisioning a national AI strategy, creating building blocks for AI governance, and addressing potential challenges in administrative services, tax policies, and digital health. The conference provided a dynamic platform for discussing strategic, transparent, and responsible approaches to AI integration in the public sector, fostering valuable knowledge, insights and networking opportunities to advance Montenegro’s AI agenda.