IBM and AMD have jointly announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on the combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing, known as quantum-centric supercomputing. The idea is that companies which merge AI accelerators, quantum computers, and high-performance computing will help solve a wide range of the world’s most difficult problems
The two companies are collaborating to develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing, leveraging IBM’s leadership in developing the world’s most performant quantum computers and software, and AMD’s leadership in high-performance computing and AI accelerators.
“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO at IBM. “By exploring how quantum computers from IBM and the advanced high-performance compute technologies of AMD can work together, we will build a powerful hybrid model that pushes past the limits of traditional computing.”
So what exactly is quantum computing? It is a completely different way to represent and process information. While classical computers use bits that can only be either a zero or one, quantum computers’ qubits represent information according to the quantum mechanical laws of nature. These properties enable a much richer computational space to explore solutions to complex problems beyond the reach of classical computing alone, including in fields such as drug discovery, materials discovery, optimization, and logistics.
“I believe innovation starts with insane curiosity, passion for lifelong learning, and relentless focus on what’s next,” Krishna said. “I am proud to lead a company that has been changing the way the world works for clients for 109 years. At IBM, we are driving the future of digital transformation with advanced technology, industry expertise, and trust.”
In a quantum-centric supercomputing architecture, quantum computers work in tandem with powerful high-performance computing and AI infrastructure, which are typically supported by CPUs, GPUs and other compute engines. In this hybrid approach, different components of a problem are tackled by the paradigm best suited to solve them. For example, in the future, quantum computers could simulate the behavior of atoms and molecules, while classical supercomputers powered by AI could handle massive data analysis. Together, these technologies could tackle real-world problems at unprecedented speed and scale.
“High-performance computing is the foundation for solving the world’s most important challenges,” said Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. “As we partner with IBM to explore the convergence of high-performance computing and quantum technologies, we see tremendous opportunities to accelerate discovery and innovation.”
AMD and IBM are exploring how to integrate AMD CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs with IBM quantum computers to efficiently accelerate a new class of emerging algorithms, which are outside the current reach of either paradigm working independently. The proposed effort could also help progress IBM’s vision to deliver fault-tolerant quantum computers by the end of this decade. AMD technologies offer promise for providing real-time error correction capabilities, a key element of fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The teams are planning an initial demonstration later this year to show how IBM quantum computers can work together with AMD to deploy hybrid quantum-classical workflows. The companies also plan to explore how open-source ecosystems, such as Qiskit, could catalyze the development and adoption of new algorithms that leverage quantum-centric supercomputing.
The tentative first moves here have already been taken. IBM has already initiated the first steps towards a vision in which quantum and classical computing are seamlessly integrated, including a recent partnership with RIKEN to deploy and directly connect IBM’s modular quantum computer, IBM Quantum System Two, with Fugaku, one of the world’s fastest classical supercomputers; as well as work with industry leaders such as Cleveland Clinic, the Basque Government, and Lockheed Martin to demonstrate how combining quantum and classical resources could return valuable results for difficult problems, beyond what classical computers can do on their own.