IBM And AMD Partner On Quantum-Centric Supercomputing

IBM and AMD have announced a collaboration aimed at combining quantum computers, high-performance computing and Ai accelerators into new architectures that could shape the next era of computing.

Building A Hybrid Model

The partnership, unveiled on August 27, will see the two companies develop scalable, open-source platforms that merge IBM’s work in quantum systems with AMD’s expertise in high-performance computing (HPC) and Ai hardware.

IBM Chairman and Chief Executive, Arvind Krishna, said quantum technology represented a fundamental shift in how information is processed.

“Quantum computing will simulate the natural world and represent information in an entirely new way,” Krishna said. “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.”

AMD Chair and Chief Executive, Dr Lisa Su, said the partnership had the potential to open new opportunities for research and industry.

“High-performance computing is the foundation for solving the world’s most important challenges,” Su said. “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.”

Quantum-Centric Supercomputing

Quantum computing differs from traditional approaches by using qubits, which can represent multiple states at once due to quantum mechanical properties. This opens new ways to solve problems in drug discovery, materials science, optimisation and logistics.

In a quantum-centric supercomputing model, quantum systems work alongside classical supercomputers and Ai accelerators. Each component tackles aspects of a problem suited to its strengths—for example, quantum systems could model atomic interactions, while HPC platforms process large-scale data analysis.

AMD and IBM are investigating how to integrate AMD CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs with IBM quantum systems to create efficient hybrid workflows. AMD’s technologies may also support real-time error correction, which is essential for fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Demonstrations And Ecosystem Development

The companies are planning an initial demonstration later this year to show how IBM quantum computers can operate in tandem with AMD hardware to deliver hybrid quantum-classical workflows.

Both firms intend to expand open-source ecosystems, with a focus on Qiskit, to support the development of algorithms that benefit from the hybrid architecture.

IBM has already partnered with RIKEN to link its modular IBM Quantum System Two with the Fugaku supercomputer in Japan. The company has also worked with Cleveland Clinic, the Basque Government and Lockheed Martin on quantum-classical projects.

AMD’s HPC Legacy

AMD hardware already powers some of the world’s fastest supercomputers. Its EPYC CPUs and Instinct GPUs drive Frontier at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the first machine to reach exascale performance, as well as El Capitan at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

These systems place AMD at the core of the TOP500 ranking of the fastest supercomputers. Beyond scientific research, AMD processors and GPUs are widely deployed in enterprise and cloud Ai workloads.

By combining this HPC foundation with IBM’s quantum advancements, the companies are positioning themselves to push computing into new territory.

Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by Nick Ross