Nvidia has announced an initiative to boost quantum computing capabilities globally by deploying its CUDA-Q platform at prominent national supercomputing centers. This move integrates quantum processing units (QPUs) into Nvidia-accelerated high-performance computing systems, aiming to enhance accessibility and functionality of quantum computing across diverse scientific research areas such as AI, energy, and biology. Nvidia made the announcements ahead of the annual ISC High Performance conference taking place in Hamburg, Germany.
Global Expansion and Integration of Quantum Computing
The CUDA-Q platform, tailored for high performance in quantum-classical accelerated supercomputing, will be adopted by facilities in Germany, Japan, and Poland. Germany’s Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) is set to integrate a superconducting QPU developed by IQM Quantum Computers alongside its Jupiter supercomputer, which is Europe’s first exascale supercomputer featuring 24,000 Nvidia GH200 Grace Hopper Superchips.
Similarly, Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) will add a QPU from QuEra to its ABCI-Q supercomputer, designed to accommodate 2,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs and future quantum hardware. Poland’s Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC) has installed two photonic QPUs built by UK-based ORCA Computing, enhancing its new supercomputer partition powered by Nvidia H100s.
Nvidia executives have emphasized the synergistic relationship between quantum computing and GPU supercomputing as essential for advancing scientific discovery. This integration enables researchers and developers to explore new possibilities in fields such as chemistry, machine learning, and physics.
Advancements in Supercomputing Power and Efficiency
Alongside its quantum initiatives, Nvidia has revealed that nine new supercomputers worldwide are now utilizing the Nvidia Grace Hopper Superchips, delivering a combined processing power of 200 exaflops. This substantial computational capacity is directed towards accelerating scientific research and addressing complex challenges like climate change and drug discovery.
Notable installations include the EXA1-HE in France, Helios in Poland, and Alps at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre, all powered by Nvidia technology. The deployment of Grace Hopper Superchips in these systems highlights Nvidia’s commitment to advancing computational sciences and improving energy efficiency in high-performance computing.
The strategic focus on deploying both quantum and classical computing resources reflects the growing recognition of these technologies’ role in advancing scientific and technological progress. Nvidia’s investments and partnerships mark a significant milestone in enhancing global research capabilities, supporting the pursuit of knowledge and innovation across a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines.