The convergence of on-premises and cloud data models in High-Performance Computing (HPC) is no longer elusive; it is being actively realized through the AI value chain. To establish a competitive European data storage infrastructure, it is imperative to modernize the underlying I/O stacks through “dual-use technologies” that combine AI storage with HPC capabilities. This evolution must be supported by a transition toward open, community-driven benchmarking standards, such as IO500 and MLPerf Storage, to ensure transparency and reliability. Ultimately, these efforts require a unified ecosystem that integrates startups, system integrators, and traditional HPC stakeholders to bridge existing silos and foster a cohesive European AI storage framework.

We invite you to a presentation on how Europe can lead the transformation by modernizing the storage infrastructure stack and unifying its technological landscape. We are working on a new White Paper on this topic, and look forward to your participation in shaping this critical initiative.

Speakers

André Brinkmann is a full professor at the Department of Computer Science at Saarland University since 2026 and will serve as the scientific director of the university’s newly founded Center for Scientific and High-Performance Computing (CSHPC). From 2011 to 2025, he was a full professor in the computer science department at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) and has been the head of the data center at JGU from 2011 until 2021. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 2004 from Paderborn University and has been an assistant professor in the computer science department of Paderborn University from 2008 to 2011. Furthermore, he was also the managing director of the Paderborn Centre for Parallel Computing PC2 during this time frame. His research interests include applying algorithm engineering techniques to data centre management, cloud computing, and storage systems. He has published over 150 papers in renowned conferences and journals, is a PC co-chair of the USENIX FAST Conference 2026 and a senior associated editor of the ACM Transactions on Storage. He is also a member of the “Digitalrat Rheinland-Pfalz”. 

Jean-Thomas Acquaviva, Ph.D. is senior researcher. Jean-Thomas Acquaviva leads the research group at DDN’s Advanced Technology Center in France, where he oversees European research collaborations and advanced product strategies. Holding a PhD in Computer Science, he has extensive experience from previous roles at Intel and CEA, where he was a founding member of the Exascale Research Centre. His expertise focuses on the convergence of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI, specifically addressing performance optimization and next-generation storage architectures. With current and past European coordination experience, Jean-Thomas has a proven track record of driving innovation in scalable data logistics for exascale environments. 

Sai Narasimhamurthy, in charge of the ETP4HPC Strategic Research Agenda and associated White Papers.