IBM and AMD team up to develop hybrid quantum-centric supercomputing

IBM and AMD have announced a collaboration to build new computing architectures that combine quantum computers with high-performance computing (HPC) and AI accelerators. The effort, described as “quantum-centric supercomputing,” aims to address problems that cannot be solved by classical systems alone, from drug discovery to logistics optimisation.

Quantum computers use qubits, which follow the rules of quantum mechanics, enabling them to represent information in richer ways than classical bits. While qubits are well-suited for simulating molecules or natural systems, classical supercomputers remain critical for tasks such as data analysis. The hybrid approach that IBM and AMD are proposing would split workloads between quantum and traditional systems, allowing each to handle the problems they are best equipped to solve.

IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna said the partnership would help extend the reach of computing. “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,” he said.

AMD Chair and CEO Dr. Lisa Su highlighted the role of HPC in this vision. “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,” she said.

The companies plan an initial demonstration later this year showing how IBM quantum systems can integrate with AMD CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs to run hybrid quantum-classical workflows. AMD technologies could also support real-time error correction, a critical step toward building fault-tolerant quantum computers.

IBM is pursuing this direction with other partners as well, including a recent initiative with RIKEN to link IBM’s modular Quantum System Two with Fugaku, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. Meanwhile, AMD CPUs and GPUs currently power Frontier and El Capitan, the top-ranked supercomputers on the TOP500 list.

Beyond demonstrating hybrid workflows, IBM and AMD plan to promote open-source ecosystems such as Qiskit to develop new algorithms. The goal is to encourage broader adoption of quantum-centric approaches across industries, including healthcare, aerospace, and materials science.