The AI supercomputers, Discovery and Lux, unveiled by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are set to elevate America’s leadership in AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and scientific discovery. These groundbreaking systems, to be stationed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), are on the brink of reshaping the boundaries of scientific exploration, national security, and technological innovation.
By merging unparalleled computing power with advanced AI capabilities, Discovery and Lux are poised to revolutionize how scientists model intricate systems, analyze vast datasets, and tackle some of the most pressing technological obstacles facing the nation.
Empowering the next generation of AI research
Discovery and Lux represent more than just faster computers; they embody a new era where AI and science converge. Crafted and constructed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and AMD, these supercomputers will empower scientists to hasten discoveries across various fields such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, medicine, and cybersecurity.
Discovery, spearheaded by HPE, and the AMD-led Lux system, integrated with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) as part of the Lux AI Cluster, will offer researchers access to unparalleled computing power both on-site and in the cloud.
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized the significance of these landmark AI supercomputers, stating, “Winning the AI race necessitates innovative partnerships that bring together the brightest minds and industries in American technology and science.”
Discovery: Pushing boundaries beyond the frontier
The upcoming Discovery system is set to outshine ORNL’s current flagship supercomputer, Frontier, which broke the exascale barrier in 2022. Scheduled for deployment in 2028, Discovery will surpass Frontier in all performance metrics, combining traditional supercomputing with state-of-the-art AI and quantum computing research.
Powered by AMD’s upcoming EPYC™ ‘Venice’ processors and Instinct™ MI430X GPUs, the HPE Cray Supercomputing GX5000 at the core of Discovery will enable scientists to simulate, model, and analyze data at unprecedented speeds.
Utilizing an innovative Distributed Asynchronous Object Storage (DAOS)-based platform, Discovery is expected to provide unmatched scalability and reliability for intricate scientific workloads.
Accelerating discoveries across diverse fields
With its AI-driven computing capabilities, Discovery is poised to unlock insights previously deemed unattainable. The system is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing nuclear energy safety and cost-efficiency, creating AI-powered digital twins for personalized medicine, and expediting aerospace design cycles.
Essentially, Discovery is designed to make ‘Gold Standard Science’ more accessible, impactful, and efficient than ever before.
Lux: Enhancing near-term AI capabilities
Expected to arrive earlier in 2026, the Lux AI Cluster will augment the DOE’s near-term AI capacity, hastening progress in fusion energy, quantum materials, advanced manufacturing, and power grid resilience. The system will leverage AMD’s Instinct™ MI355X GPUs, EPYC™ CPUs, and Pensando™ networking technology within HPE’s ProLiant Compute XD685 framework.
Lux is poised to provide a secure and scalable foundation for AI research across the national laboratory network, supporting large-scale training and distributed inference. It will also serve as a testing ground for integrating cloud-based AI solutions with physical supercomputing infrastructure.
Shaping the future of supercomputing
Building on ORNL’s legacy in high-performance computing, Discovery and Lux continue the tradition of leadership-class machines like Jaguar, Titan, Summit, and Frontier. These AI supercomputers position the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation in AI supercomputing and high-performance scientific computing.
By combining top-tier hardware with extensive expertise across national laboratories and industry partners, Discovery and Lux are poised to drive innovation for years to come. As the global competition for AI supercomputers intensifies, the DOE’s significant investment underscores America’s commitment to leading the way.
