- IBM and AMD Partner to combine quantum and high performance computing
- The collaboration aims to accelerate research in fields from the discovery of drugs to logistics
- Companies plan open source platforms and hybrid workflows with initial demonstration soon
IBM and AMD have announced plans to “build the future of computer science” collaborating in a new architecture to combine quantum systems with high performance hardware in an attempt to solve some of the most difficult problems in the world.
The Association will combine IBM’s experience in the creation of quantum computers and software related to AMD’s history in processors, graphics and accelerators of AI in a step towards the supercomputing centered on quantum quantity.
Companies are looking for ways to integrate the AMD CPU, GPU and FPGA with IBM quantum computers, with the ultimate goal of accelerating emerging algorithms that neither quantum nor classic systems can handle on their own.
Pushing beyond the limits
“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in a completely new way,” said Arvind Krishna, president and CEO of IBM.
“When exploring how IBM quantum computers and advanced high performance computing technologies of AMD can work together, we will build a powerful hybrid model that exceeds the limits of traditional computer science.”
The two technological giants will work together to build open source platforms that can climb and support research in fields such as drug development, material science and supply chain optimization.
Lisa her, president and executive director of AMD, also emphasized the importance of the association, saying: “High performance computer science is the basis for solving the most important challenges in the world. As we associate with IBM to explore the convergence of high performance computing and quantian technologies, we see tremendous opportunities to accelerate discovery and innovation.”
AMD has previously worked on some of the fastest supercomputers in the world, including Frontier and Captain.
This hybrid approach is also expected to support IBM roadmap towards quantum tolerant to failure, a milestone that the company has said it hopes to reach before the end of the decade.
IBM has already begun a similar work with other partners, including Riken in Japan, as well as institutions such as Cleveland Clinic and Lockheed Martin.
An initial demonstration is planned by the end of this year and will show how IBM quantum computers can work together with AMD technology to deliver classical workflows hybrid quantum.
The association will support open source ecosystems, such as Qiskit, in an attempt to encourage the development of algorithms for supercomputing amounts focused on quantity.
