The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
Authors: Filippo Spiga (NVIDIA Corporation, Arm HPC User Group), Simon McIntosh-Smith (University of Bristol, Arm HPC User Group), Miwako Tsuji (RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), Arm HPC User Group), Angel Pizarro (AWS), Conrad Hillairet (Arm Limited), Paolo Faraboschi (Arm Limited), John Cazes (The University of Texas at Austin), Brendan Bouffler (AWS), Steven Shiau (National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC), Taiwan)
Abstract: Over a decade ago, Arm was known for co-design, innovative architectures, and disruptive change in a x86-dominated software landscape. Today, Arm-based supercomputers operate globally, supporting advanced research across diverse fields. Has Arm become really “boring”? While accelerated computing is now essential, CPU-only systems remain important. The future of Arm in HPC raises questions: What new breakthroughs can Arm technologies enable? Is Arm still exciting for technologists and developers? This BoF gathers leaders who have helped advance the Arm HPC ecosystem to address what else is yet to be done to achieve the next maturity level.
Long Description: More than ten years ago, Arm was celebrated for its bold co-design strategies, innovative processor architectures, and its role as a disruptor in a computing world dominated by x86. Arm’s RISC-based approach, emphasizing efficiency and simplicity, challenged the status quo and opened new possibilities for both hardware and software design. This spirit of innovation led to the adoption of Arm in mobile, embedded, and eventually high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
Today, Arm-based supercomputers are not just experimental—they are operational and influential across the globe. Systems like Japan’s Fugaku, developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu, have achieved top rankings on the TOP500 and Green500 lists, demonstrating world-class performance and energy efficiency. These supercomputers are at the forefront of research in fields such as drug discovery, climate modeling, energy technology and sustainability, AI and big data analytics.
With Arm’s widespread adoption and proven track record, some may wonder if the architecture has lost its edge—has it become “boring”? In reality, Arm’s journey reflects a transition from disruptive upstart to a mature, foundational technology. This maturity brings stability, a robust software ecosystem, and broad industry support, but it also raises new questions about where the next wave of innovation will come from.
Accelerated computing has become essential for many HPC workloads, especially in AI and data analytics. However, CPU-only systems remain vital for a wide range of scientific and engineering applications. Arm’s flexible architecture supports both paradigms, enabling custom solutions that balance performance, efficiency, and scalability.
The future of Arm in HPC is not yet settled, it remains a dynamic and exciting platform. This BoF (Birds of a Feather) session brings together leaders and pioneers who have driven Arm’s progress in HPC. Their insights will help chart the path forward—ensuring that Arm remains not just relevant, but essential in the definition of the next generation of high-performance computing platforms from both an hardware and software perspective.