IBM and AMD are teaming up to champion 'quantum-centric supercomputing' - but what is it?

IBM and AMD are collaborating to create quantum-centric supercomputing that integrates quantum computers with high-performance computing components such as CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs. The partners aim to develop scalable, open-source platforms and hybrid quantum-classical workflows that could redefine future computing and enable a new class of emerging algorithms which neither technology can achieve alone. Quantum systems would simulate atomic and molecular behavior while classical HPC and AI handle large-scale data analysis and other problem components. The collaboration includes plans for an initial demonstration later this year and exploration of open ecosystems like Qiskit. The work could advance IBM's goal of delivering fault-tolerant quantum computers by the end of the decade.

The quantum-centric supercomputing architecture envisaged by the two firms sees quantum computers working in tandem with powerful high-performance computing and AI infrastructure, typically supported by CPUs, GPUs and other compute engines. This means that different components of a problem could be tackled by the paradigm best suited to solve them - for example, with quantum computers simulating the behavior of atoms and molecules, while classical supercomputers powered by AI handle the massive data analysis.

The work could also help progress IBM's vision to deliver fault-tolerant quantum computers by the end of this decade, it said. "Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way," said Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO of 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."

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