Israel's AI chief sets a target of 300,000 GPUs and a domestic frontier model
Erez Askal, head of the National AI Directorate, said Israel needs about 2 GW of power for the plan; no budget or timeline was given.
Why it matters
Askal presented the strategy at AI & Cyber Week at Tel Aviv University, arguing that energy, water and healthcare will depend on AI within five to seven years. The plan splits the GPU base into 100,000 for academia, government, defence and startups and 200,000 for companies and data centres, and calls for a frontier model built with partner countries. CTech notes Israel's grid is already strained by data-centre demand. Watch for funding, power allocations and partner announcements.
Key facts
- Target: about 300,000 GPUs
- 100,000 for domestic needs, 200,000 for companies and data centres
- About 2 GW of electricity needed
- Plans an Israeli frontier model built with partners
- Tender issued for a national quantum computer
- Announced at AI & Cyber Week, Tel Aviv University