IBM and AMD have joined forces to develop next-generation supercomputing that combines quantum computing, AI accelerators, and high-performance computing (HPC).

On the 27th, IBM announced plans to develop quantum-centric supercomputing, a next-generation computing architecture that combines quantum computers and HPC (high-performance computing), together with AMD.

This collaboration represents an evolution in computing technology to address the world's most pressing challenges, and the two companies plan to redefine the future of computing by jointly developing a scalable, open-source platform.

Quantum computers process information using qubits, which is fundamentally different from the bit-based operations of conventional computers.

IBM is a global leader in quantum computing and software, while AMD has strengths in HPC and AI accelerator technology.

The convergence of the two companies' technologies offers new possibilities for solving complex problems such as new drug development, material exploration, and logistics optimization.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said, “Quantum computing can simulate the natural world and represent information in new ways. By combining AMD’s high-performance computing technology with IBM’s quantum systems, we will build a hybrid model that overcomes the limitations of classical computing.”

AMD CEO Lisa Su said, “HPC is key to solving global challenges,” and added, “Through our collaboration with IBM, we have the opportunity to accelerate innovation and discovery by converging quantum and HPC technologies.”He said.

Quantum-centric supercomputing is a hybrid architecture in which HPC infrastructure, including CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs, and quantum computers operate together.

Depending on the nature of the problem, the most appropriate computing method is used. For example, quantum computers perform molecular simulations, and AI-based supercomputers perform large-scale data analysis.

IBM and AMD plan to demonstrate a quantum-classical joint project later this year, and are also developing new algorithms using IBM's open-source ecosystem, Qiskit.

AMD's CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs are expected to be integrated with IBM's quantum systems, contributing to the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing.

IBM has already collaborated with RIKEN in Japan to link the IBM Quantum System Two with the supercomputer Fugaku, and is also working on quantum-classical integration projects with the Cleveland Clinic in the United States, the Basque government in Spain, and Lockheed Martin.

Meanwhile, AMD has proven its technological prowess by powering two of the world's fastest supercomputers simultaneously with its EPYC™ CPUs and Instinct™ GPUs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Frontier and El Capitan supercomputers. AMD's technology is also being widely utilized in generative AI solutions.