IBM, a vocal pioneer in the field of quantum computing, and AMD, which has never quite gotten around to promoting its quantum developments as energetically as its peers, have announced a partnership to pursue quantum-centric supercomputing.
The partnership lands as quantum computing has become an area of increasing focus for AMD’s competitive foe Nvidia, which has partnered with many quantum technology companies in recent years, and has very vocally promoted its work in the area of quantum-centric supercomputing, also often called hybrid quantum-classical supercomputing. In many public appearances, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has found time to both question and celebrate quantum computing, and has never left in doubt Nvidia’s intention to be a major player in the emerging sector.
Meanwhile, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su has rarely mentioned quantum computing in event keynotes or earnings updates, though AMD has done plenty behind the scenes, partnering with quantum specialists like Riverlane, which is focused on qubit control, and providing CPUs and GPUs for supercomputers like Europe’s LUMI, which is heavily focused on the intersection of quantum and AI technologies.
Perhaps aligning with IBM will change perceptions about AMD’s role in the quantum computing evolution. IBM has released several generations of quantum processors and has deployed several full-scale quantum computers around the world. It expects to have a fault-tolerant quantum computer ready by 2029, and working with AMD could help keep this aim on track.
Under the partnership, the companies said they 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.” This includes AMD technologies that can contribute to real-time error correction capabilities, a key element of fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The new partners said they are planning an initial demonstration later this year to show how IBM quantum computers can work in tandem with AMD technologies 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.
“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO, 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.”
“High-performance computing is the foundation for solving the world’s most important challenges,” Su added. “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.”