Sharon AI, an Australian high performance cloud computer provider, has partnered with Cisco to build a secure high-performance data processing platform that operates entirely in Australia.
The facility is called a Cisco Secure AI Factory and will include 1,024 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra graphics processing units (GPUs), Cisco UCS servers and Nexus Hyperfabric, and will be based in NEXTDC data centres.
The companies said in a joint statement that the initiative aims to provide “secure, scalable and high-performance sovereign AI capabilities" with all data and AI processing kept within the country.
James Manning, co-founder and chief executive of NASDAQ-listed Sharon AI, said the partnership will aim to accelerate enterprise AI and high-performance compute adoption throughout Asia-Pacific.
“This 1024 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra deployment has been architected and deployed alongside Cisco to ensure together we can bring unprecedented value to customers,” he said.
“We look forward to further collaboration with the Cisco team to drive enterprise AI adoption and additional clusters in 2026 and beyond.”
Cisco Australia and New Zealand vice president and general manager Stefan Leitl added that it will support the rapid, safe and secure adoption of AI in Australia.
“The Cisco Secure AI Factory enables enterprises and governments to harness their data for differentiation, unlocking innovation and competitive advantage, by strengthening sovereign capabilities and building a trustworthy AI ecosystem,” he said.
“This collaboration positions Australia at the forefront of secure, responsible AI.”
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