IBM and AMD have announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on a combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing systems, also known as quantum-oriented supercomputers. The companies will collaborate to develop scalable, open-source platforms.
Unlike classical computers, which can only have values of "0" or "1," quantum computing uses qubits, which represent information according to the laws of quantum mechanics. This is a completely different way of representing and processing information. It provides a much richer computational space for finding solutions to complex problems that classical systems cannot handle.
"Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way. 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," said Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM.
AMD CEO Lisa Su said that high-performance computing is fundamental to solving the world's most pressing problems, and she sees great opportunities to accelerate AMD's discovery and innovation through the partnership with IBM.
In a quantum-oriented supercomputer architecture, quantum computers work in tandem with powerful high-performance computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence applications. In this way, different problems are solved using the paradigm that best suits their solution. For example, quantum computers can potentially model the behavior of atoms and molecules, while classical supercomputers with AI can process huge data sets.
AMD and IBM are currently exploring how to combine AMD processors and graphics with IBM quantum computers to accelerate new algorithms that cannot be performed by classical or quantum systems alone. The companies say this could also help create reliable quantum computers by the end of the decade.
Later this year, IBM will also demonstrate how quantum computers from IBM will work in tandem with AMD technologies to deploy hybrid quantum-classical workflows. The partnership is currently focused on exploring how open source ecosystems can catalyze the development and adoption of new algorithms.