Denmark Expands Gefion AI Supercomputer with 500 Million Kroner Investment

Denmark has announced an additional investment of 500 million Danish kroner (€66.9 million) to expand its national artificial intelligence supercomputer, Gefion. The funding was announced on Tuesday by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark and is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation alongside software firm Netcompany.

The Gefion supercomputer is operated by the Danish Centre for AI Innovation, which launched the facility in 2024 using 1,528 Nvidia microprocessors. Officials at the centre reported that the machine is currently approaching its full operational capacity. The new funding adds to the initial 700 million kroner (€93.8 million) provided by the Danish state investment fund and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which is known for developing pharmaceutical products such as Ozempic.

Danish technology company Netcompany is joining the project as a new investor. Netcompany, which builds and manages public-sector IT systems including services for NHS England, will provide software to handle access management, monitoring, and security. The initiative aims to allow public institutions and private businesses to utilise artificial intelligence while retaining control over sensitive data.

Martin Lidegaard, Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, stated that the extra computing power will assist domestic firms and researchers in converting ideas into new solutions, companies, and jobs. He added that the investment strengthens national competitiveness while preventing external entities from controlling key future technologies. Specific details regarding when the expanded capacity will become operational have not yet been disclosed.

The project aligns with a broader European push to establish sovereign digital infrastructure. In 2023, the United Kingdom invested £225 million (€269 million) in a dedicated artificial intelligence supercomputer. Meanwhile, Finland hosts the LUMI supercomputer, a facility jointly funded by the European Union and participating member states with a total lifetime cost exceeding €200 million.

Christina Egelund, Denmark’s Minister for Research, Education and Digitalisation, stated that Europe needs to build greater self-reliance and that Denmark must contribute to European technological independence. She noted that such independence is required to ensure technology is developed and regulated according to democratic values. In July, the European Commission issued a call for up to seven AI gigafactories, supported by up to €10 billion in European and national funding.

Written by Freya Stensrud freya.stensrud@alpineweekly.com