The future of quantum computing will depend on its integration with classical computing on an unprecedented scale. High-performance classical technology is essential for managing quantum systems, accelerating complex simulations, correcting errors, and connecting quantum processors with large high-performance computing (HPC) clusters. With its expertise in CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and open source software, AMD is well positioned to contribute to the development of this new hybrid architecture.
The company is already applying its classical computing capabilities to this challenge through a new co-design platform for quantum error correction, developed together with IBM and the Quantum Sciences Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This initiative creates a shared working environment in which to evaluate the architectures, software and workflows that future quantum-classical systems will need.
The platform will leverage the complementary capabilities of all three partners. IBM will contribute its quantum computing technology; ORNL, its facilities and expertise in scientific research and high-performance computing; and AMD, its classical processing technologies and open software to connect quantum processors with scientific workloads.
The first deployment will combine IBM quantum computers, including the 120-qubit IBM Quantum Nighthawk, with the Umbra HPC system, equipped with AMD EPYC processors and AMD Instinct GPUs. Both environments will be located together to facilitate integration and coordinated work between the different technologies.
“To build useful quantum systems, the quantum and classical computing communities need to solve system design challenges together,” said Ralph Wittig, corporate member and director of Advanced Research and Development at AMD. “AMD brings expertise in CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs, from real-time control to edge supercomputing. “Together with IBM, Oak Ridge and our ecosystem partners, we are applying that expertise to develop and test how quantum processors, classical computing and software can work together at scale.”
This initiative builds on AMD’s track record in developing next-generation supercomputers and its continued collaboration with IBM in areas such as GPU-accelerated scientific calculations and FPGA error decoding.
Designing the foundations of classical computing
The integration of quantum and classical computing poses important technological challenges, since it requires coordinating different processing needs within the same system. Control and feedback require precise timing and low latency responses; Scientific simulations and calculations require high parallel processing capacity; and the orchestration must distribute and coordinate the tasks among all these resources.
To address these requirements, AMD is working with its partners and the broader ecosystem in a co-design process that leverages its extensive portfolio of high-performance technologies. The goal is to cover all the classical computing needs of future quantum systems, from real-time control to large-scale scientific processing.
Its proposal is articulated around four technological pillars:
- AMD EPYC™ Processors: Provide the orchestration capability and general-purpose performance needed to orchestrate highly complex hybrid quantum-classical systems.
- AMD Instinct GPUs: Accelerate simulation, optimization, and parallel scientific computing tasks associated with quantum workloads.
- AMD Versal™ Adaptive SoCs: Offer low-latency decoding, reading and control capabilities, located close to the quantum processor.
- AMD ROCm open software ecosystem: facilitates the connection between hardware and high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, promoting the integration of different processing environments.
Together, these technologies provide quantum solutions developers, system manufacturers, and research institutions with a scalable classical infrastructure on which to begin designing and testing the architectures of the future.
Towards scientifically relevant quantum computing
Error correction is one of the main obstacles that separate current quantum computers from systems capable of undertaking relevant scientific research. Overcoming it requires advances in both quantum and classical computing, since both technologies must work in a coordinated manner and in parallel.
Researchers need to understand and optimize not only the operation of quantum processors, but also the classical computing resources that allow them to control their operations, process information, and detect and correct errors. The new co-design platform will provide AMD, IBM and ORNL with a shared environment to jointly investigate these requirements.
The project is also part of the support of the three partners for the Quantum Genesis Mission of the United States Department of Energy, whose objective is to advance towards the development of a scientifically relevant quantum computer by 2028.
New co-design platform will provide AMD, IBM and ORNL with a shared research environment
Plans also call for connecting this platform to the Oak Ridge High Performance Computing Center (OLCF), which houses ORNL’s new Lux SI (Super Intelligence) + HPC supercomputer, equipped with AMD EPYC processors and AMD Instinct GPUs. This connection will expand the research environment and access larger-scale infrastructure to study how the integration of quantum computing, artificial intelligence and scientific computing can accelerate discoveries and contribute to national security.
For AMD, this initiative responds to a fundamental premise: the development of quantum computing also depends on advances in classical technologies. Processing capacity, error correction, synchronization and software integration will be decisive for quantum systems to overcome their current limitations.
Therefore, the collaboration with IBM and ORNL seeks to anticipate these needs and lay the technological foundations that will allow the construction of future generations of quantum computers. A co-design strategy that involves companies specialized in quantum computing, research centers and technology providers, and that places classical computing as an essential piece to realize the potential of quantum computing.
