HiPEAC’s Future Vision – Comm. ACM

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The Future of Computing Systems: The Vision of HiPEAC

Have you ever wondered what the future holds for computing systems, including hardware, software, and infrastructure? The HiPEAC project, an EU-funded European network of over 2,000 experts in computing systems, has a vision for the “next computing paradigm.” In this article, we’ll explore the main concepts behind this vision and what it means for the future of computing.

Exploring the Next Computing Paradigm

The next computing paradigm (NCP) is a fusion of trends from information and communication technologies over the last few decades. It encompasses key technologies such as the web, cyber-physical systems, the cloud, the internet of things, digital twins, AI, and more, creating a cohesive ecosystem.

Envisioning the NCP involves moving towards a 4D computing paradigm, expanding computing space from two-dimensional document-based resources to a full-fledged 3D spatial representation with the element of time. This evolution will integrate the real world with the cyberworld, utilizing generative AI to dynamically orchestrate resources to meet user needs efficiently.

A Seamless Flow of Compute and Data

Cloud computing has revolutionized how end-users access applications and computing resources. The NCP aims to extend this model by pooling together computing resources at the edge and intermediate layers, creating a continuum of computing. This continuum offers benefits such as reduced latency and energy consumption, decentralization, personalization, and context awareness.

By pooling edge and cloud resources, the edge-cloud continuum allows computation to be deployed dynamically where it’s most convenient for the user. This model of “everything-as-a-service” shifts the focus towards the edge, enabling services to be orchestrated across the computing continuum.

The Building Blocks of the NCP

The NCP relies on established elements such as the web, cloud, IoT, cyber-physical systems, and digital twins. Recent innovations like generative AI and the continuum of computing further enhance this ecosystem. The continuum of computing seamlessly integrates resources into a networked platform, supporting dynamic orchestration and resource usage across the continuum.

Key Implications

Integrating the web of humans with the web of machines, the NCP exposes digital resources as service interfaces accessible through streamlined protocols. The spatial and temporal aspects of the NCP enable context-aware computing and dynamic resource orchestration. AI engines at the edge construct applications on-the-fly, catering to user needs dynamically across the continuum.

Conclusion

The HiPEAC Vision 2024 presents a more efficient, context-aware, and user-centric digital ecosystem through the NCP. Collaboration across domains is essential to realize this vision. The future of computing systems holds immense potential for innovation and advancement in the digital realm.

References

[1] Licklider, J. C. R. and Taylor, R. W., Internet at 50, April 1968. [2] Vardanaga, T. and Duranton, M., Digels, digital genius loci engines to guide and protect users in the next web, HiPEAC Vision 2023. [3] Vardanega, T., De Bosschere, K., Munk, H., Giorgetti, E., and Duranton, M., Past, present and future of the Internet and digitally-augmented humanity: A HiPEAC Vision, March 2020. [4] HiPEAC, Digels: A journey to the heart of the web, StudioRain, March 2023.

About the Authors

Tullio Vardanega, MSc @ Uni Pisa, IT (1986), PhD @ TU Delft, NL (1998), specializes in high-integrity real-time systems, edge-to-cloud continuum, software engineering, and informatics education. He is a member of IEEE and ACM.

Marc Duranton, senior fellow of CEA, specializes in digital systems and integrated circuits. He is the editor-in-chief of the HiPEAC Vision and has contributed to the development of artificial neural network processors.

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