From Big Iron to Clusters & Clouds to AI Silicon and Beyond: A Conversation on the Evolution of Supercomputing with Pete Ungaro
September 1, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Online
Embedded Files
About the Session
The trajectory of high-performance computing (HPC) has always been defined by a relentless pursuit of speed, but the architectural pathways to achieve that speed have shifted dramatically. We are currently living through one of the most disruptive eras in computing history—where the insatiable computational demands of artificial intelligence are driving cloud providers to design their own specialized processors.
To help us put this moment in context, the GCACC is honored to host a live, wide-ranging conversation with Pete Ungaro, one of the most respected and long-serving executives in the history of supercomputing. As the longtime leader of Cray Inc. and subsequently HPE's HPC & AI business, Pete has had a front-row seat to—and actively shaped—supercomputing evolution and pivots over the last three decades.
This online session will trace the fascinating evolution of supercomputing. We will walk through the early, government-funded days of bespoke, special-purpose systems, explore how consumer market dynamics forced a shift to commodity clusters, track the rise of GPUs and cloud infrastructure, and analyze the market forces of AI that have brought us back to the frontier of custom-designed silicon. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true industry legend as he connects the lessons of supercomputing's past with the massive computing challenges of our future.
Speaker
Pete Ungaro
Former VP of IBM; President & CEO of Cray Inc.; and SVP/GM of HPC & AI, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Pete Ungaro’s 16-year tenure as President and CEO of Cray Inc. is marked by transformative leadership and significant contributions to HPC. Under his guidance, Cray not only regained its financial and technical prowess but also reestablished itself at the forefront of the supercomputing market. Following Cray’s acquisition by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Ungaro served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of HPC, AI, Mission Critical, and Edge Computing, where he also managed the esteemed team at HP Labs. He departed HPE in 2021 to leverage his expertise in advisory roles with burgeoning tech companies.
Ungaro’s journey in HPC began at IBM, where he sold RISC workstations and servers to National Laboratories. Ungaro told HPCwire this led him into supercomputing, where he was hooked by an appreciation of the amazing work scientists and engineers were doing with HPC across the government, academia, and industry.
During his career, Ungaro was instrumental in reviving IBM’s presence in the HPC market and leading it to success. At Cray, his strategic vision and leadership were pivotal in the company’s resurgence. Recognized for his achievements, Ungaro was named CEO of the Year in 2006 by Seattle Business Monthly and was featured in Corporate Leader Magazine’s “40 under 40” in 2008. In 2013, Bloomberg honored him as #4 on their list of “Top Tech Turnaround Artists.” He also served on the United States Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Council from 2010 to 2012.
Today, Ungaro continues to influence the HPC community through his board and advisory roles, driven by a passion for advancing HPC and AI. “I am always impressed with the passion people have toward how HPC and AI can change the world and I really enjoy helping companies have success in the market and helping individuals build strong careers in our industry,” Ungaro said.
When he is not focused on advancing groundbreaking technologies, Ungaro can be found on a golf course, working on lowering his handicap.
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