KUWAIT: Accredited researchers in Kuwait will soon have access to IKARUS, the country’s first high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence platform, giving them the tools to analyze massive datasets, run complex simulations, and explore innovative solutions across medicine, engineering, and urban planning.
Developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and unveiled last week, IKARUS provides a national infrastructure for storing and processing data locally, without reliance on external platforms. “This gives researchers the speed, security, and control they need to tackle complex projects,” said Tahani Hussein, technical manager of the platform, in an interview with state television’s Good Evening Kuwait program.
High-performance computing platforms like IKARUS connect thousands of compute servers operating in parallel. While a typical laptop can perform billions of calculations per second, IKARUS handles hundreds of trillions — enabling studies and simulations that previously took months or years to be completed in a fraction of the time.
Hussein said the platform has great potential in multiple fields. In medicine, it can analyze lab results to predict diseases and suggest tailored treatments using AI. In engineering and urban planning, it can simulate traffic patterns and model solutions for Kuwait’s chronic traffic congestion. IKARUS can also be used to test smart city concepts virtually investing in physical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity layers
To protect sensitive research, the platform uses multiple layers of cybersecurity, strict access controls, encryption protocols. “Only authorized users can reach the data, and even technical staff cannot view researchers’ private datasets,” Hussein said.
It’s also equipped with a system which continuously monitors access attempts, and if an individual tries to log in three or four times unsuccessfully, the system automatically blocks their account. “If the attempts persist from the same country, the system can even block access from the entire country,” said Hussein. This ensures sensitive data and intellectual property remain secure within Kuwait.
Access to IKARUS is currently restricted to accredited researchers in Kuwait. Interested individuals must apply through KISR’s online portal, complete a training course, and receive official approval before using the system. Different procedures exist for individual researchers and projects helmed by large institutions.
Hussein noted that the training requirement is essential to ensure researchers can “make proper use of the system’s capabilities” and benefit fully from its tools. She added that workshops and courses will be announced throughout the year to expand awareness and usage of the new platform.
With IKARUS, Kuwait can now complete more research projects and pursue initiatives that were previously impossible due to limited resources. “This opens the door to broader scientific innovation and allows projects that were once impossible to become feasible,” Hussein said.
