One of the world's most influential supercomputing leaders, Satoshi Matsuoka and his team from RIKEN, visited Bristol Centre for Supercomputing on 6th August 2026. RIKEN built Fugaku, the most powerful supercomputer globally when it launched in June 2020 (TOP500, 2020).
The delegation started the day at the new University of Bristol Sloane Robinson building, before heading up to Isambard Park 1, to tour AI supercomputer Isambard-AI and general purpose GW4 Alliance supercomputer, Isambard 3.
BriCS and RIKEN share many of the same opportunities and challenges in designing next-generation AI supercomputers and sustainable HPC systems to ensure researchers have the hardware they need to power breakthroughs for global benefit.
The visit provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on the future of AI supercomputing and explore how international collaboration can continue to advance discovery.
Satoshi Matsuoka, Director RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), said, "It was a true privilege to be the first guests at the new BriCS building. Seeing Isambard-AI and Isambard 3 firsthand was remarkable - it is extremely impressive that Bristol has assembled such a high-quality, world-leading AI for Science facility so rapidly. I greatly look forward to deepening the strong connections between RIKEN and the University of Bristol to advance the future of supercomputing and AI"
Simon McIntosh-Smith, Director of BriCS said, "RIKEN and BriCS are well known for pushing boundaries in the supercomputing space, and as long-term collaborators, it was wonderful they were our very first visitors to our brand new building! Meeting in person was a genuine honour and we move forward with a deeper personal connection forged between supercomputing in the UK and Japan."