News

The Advanced Computing Network of Latin America and the Caribbean (SCALAC), in collaboration with RedCLARA, has successfully concluded the latest edition of the Latin American High-Performance Computing Conference (CARLA). The region's leading forum for high-performance computing (HPC), this international event serves as a crucial platform for exchanging innovative ideas, technological advancements, and applications in this field.

Since its first edition in Valparaíso a decade ago, CARLA has been instrumental in strengthening the HPC community in Latin America. The Center for Mathematical Modeling and the National Laboratory for High-Performance Computing (NLHPC) supported the event's return to Chile this year at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Chile.

Aisén Etcheverry, Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, highlighted the importance of conferences like CARLA, emphasizing the relevance of computing infrastructure and collaboration in the region. She pointed out that these events are essential for addressing regional challenges such as climate change, health, and strengthening democracy. She also congratulated the organizers and thanked all those involved for bringing CARLA to Chile and facilitating key discussions on technology.

The 2024 edition featured five thematic workshops, six advanced tutorials, five discussion panels, and participation from more than 30 prominent international speakers. Additionally, the event saw a notable increase in the quality and quantity of scientific papers, with 42 papers received, representing a 68% increase compared to the previous edition, according to the organizers. A total of 17 of the most prominent companies in the HPC sector supported the conference, underscoring its global significance.

The success of CARLA 2024 was highlighted by Philippe Navaux, President of SCALAC, who stated, "Clearly, we could see in the meetings, talks, and among the sponsors present the interest in the conference." Researchers, students, and companies attended the conference, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase their new machines and systems. We were in a fascinating moment where all countries, especially in Latin America, were exploring the development of HPC driven by artificial intelligence. CARLA catalyzed this attraction and collaboration between companies and researchers for development in the region.”

Tania Altamirano, RedCLARA’s Manager of Academic Relations, participated as a panelist in the Women in HPC workshop, where she presented the topic, “Connections that Transform: Challenges and Strategies for Articulation in RedCLARA.” In her presentation, she shared key strategies for strengthening academic networks in Latin America and promoting international collaboration, underscoring the fundamental role these connections play in the technological and social advancement of the region. “This experience was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with other leaders in high-performance computing and reaffirm RedCLARA’s commitment to equity and innovation in the academic field,” she said.

CARLA continues to solidify itself as the reference space for the advancement of HPC in Latin America, driving the growth of this discipline in the region and promoting cooperation between researchers, companies, and universities.

For more details on the 2024 conference, visit: www.Carla2024.org.