Project will see IBM integrate its quantum technology with AMD’s AI hardware offerings
IBM and AMD have partnered for the development of quantum-centric supercomputing – next-generation computing architectures based on a combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing (HPC).
The collaboration will see the two companies explore how to integrate IBM’s quantum technology with AMD’s HPC and AI hardware, including CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs, and examine how open-source ecosystems, such as Qiskit, can support the development and adoption of new algorithms that leverage quantum-centric supercomputing.
This will result in “scalable, open-source platforms” that the partners claim “could redefine the future of computing.”
The compute infrastructure developed by IBM and AMD will be used to support drug discovery, materials science, optimization, and logistics, with an initial demonstration of the project planned for later this year.
“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way,” said Arvind Krishna, 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.”
Dr. Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, added: “High-performance computing is the foundation for solving the world’s most important challenges. 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.”
IBM has already taken steps to explore quantum-centric supercomputing through a recent partnership with Japanese research lab, Riken, which will see Big Blue integrate its IBM Quantum System Two with the Fugaku supercomputer.
