5 ms·

IBM and AMD to work on quantum-centric supercomputing

56 points by donutloop 1y ago

orionblastar 1y ago
This reminds me of when IBM, Motorola, and Apple did PowerPC.
- beeflet 1y ago
  IBM is still doing POWER. I have one running on my desk
Towaway69 1y ago
Are they combining forces in an attempt to overtake nvidia in the AI space?
heisgone 1y ago
Is IBM still a serious player? It seems to me they are living out of legacy software. Is there quantum computer stuff promising?
- staringback 1y ago
  What do you mean? IBM is the world leader of AI development thanks to their cutting edge IBM Watson
  - heisgone 1y ago
    Watson used to be cool... a decade ago. I used it to evaluate subreddit personallity trait back then: https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2r0prh/what_ibm_watson_thinks_of_reddit_more_in_comments/ https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2r0prh/wha...
  - stirfish 1y ago
    I can't tell if you're being serious. Watson is... fine. You can try out the granite models for yourself.
- wmf 1y ago
  IBM really is a leader in quantum computing but it's not yet clear whether that field will ever have real-world value.
  - gentooflux 1y ago
    And if it does, that value will likely fall somewhere between 0 and 1.
    - bee_rider 1y ago
      I think it’ll be exactly one, or exactly zero. That’s the quantum part, right?
- esseph 1y ago
  They are among the best in the world, and they also have a very strong presence in Operational Technology industries like manufacturing.
- zipy124 1y ago
  IBM is still a serious player in research, just not in actual output. They make a substantial sum from IP licensing/consulting to the more modern players. They do for example a large amount of foundational silicon research that other fabs can license. Industry analysts like Dr. Ian Curtis are good to keep tabs on this space such as IBMs 2nm wafers https://youtu.be/PpBagorVtC0?si=CB8-2e3KbFgZQqFH https://youtu.be/PpBagorVtC0?si=CB8-2e3KbFgZQqFH . Or his interview with the IBM research VP of hybrid cloud. https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ .
cjs_ac 1y ago
> YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. and AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on the combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing, known as quantum-centric supercomputing. AMD and IBM are collaborating to develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing, leveraging IBM's leadership in developing the world's most performant quantum computers and software, and AMD's leadership in high-performance computing and AI accelerators. Has anyone found a real-world problem that's best solved by a quantum computer that isn't cryptography? I exclude cryptography because if the only thing these machines are good for is breaking ciphers, then governments won't let anyone else buy one, will they?
- dijit 1y ago
  Materials Science and Drug Discovery would suddenly become a lot easier, along with financial modelling (of our entire society possibly) and logistics/supply chains. They would also be much better at training ML and doing pattern recognition. Basically anything that requires a massively parallel computation on undeterminable states that are only clear in hindsight. They’re really important actually and its only an unfortunate side-effect that the same solution breaks all our cryptography. (of course: the offensive wings of our defence ministries really enjoy that side-effect)
  - mcmcmc 1y ago
    Better financial modeling? Oh boy, who’s ready for quantum dynamic pricing to really squeeze your wallet to the max
  - atq2119 1y ago
    > Basically anything that requires a massively parallel computation on undeterminable states that are only clear in hindsight. If only. This description makes it sound as if quantum computers could help efficiently solve all problems in NP, which is not believed to be true. Those "undeterminable" states need some non-trivial algebraic structure so that destructive interference of states can do its magic in a quantum computer. Finding such a structure is incredibly difficult, if it exists at all.
cs702 1y ago
> Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on the combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing, known as quantum-centric supercomputing. AMD and IBM are collaborating to develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing, leveraging IBM's leadership in developing the world's most performant quantum computers and software, and AMD's leadership in high-performance computing and AI accelerators. Translation from corporate-speak: "Maybe we can chip away at Nvidia's dominance by working together and promising something Nvidia can't offer?" As I understand things, firing up a bunch of GPUs is still more cost-effective than any quantum computer available right now. Nonetheless, I wish IBM and AMD lots of success. It would be nice if Nvidia gets real competition!
- esseph 1y ago
  .. I haven't heard about Nvidia working on quantum anything? This seems very different, more of a leap forward but in a different direction. Note: Start moving to quantum-resistant algorithms now.
  - cs702 1y ago
    The announcement is meant to make corporate buyers believe that IBM's quantum magic + AMD's chips could somehow leapfrog Nvidia's GPUs, hoping to slow down its sales. I never wrote Nvidia is working on quantum anything.
    - esseph 1y ago
      It sounds like are intended to be products used to solve different problems but in a similar space. At least, if IBM is trying to parley their quantum advances. Different customers?
      - cs702 1y ago
        In theory, quantum algorithms could solve problems that have a combinatorial nature faster than classical algorithms. In practice, today, those problems are faster, cheaper, and easier to solve with classical algorithms on rented cloud hardware.
kirito1337 1y ago
[dead]
solardev 1y ago
Why does the future of computing sound like we're back in 1999? Who's next... Intel and SGI? Rockchip and Cyrix? Nvidia must be positively trembling...
- Mistletoe 1y ago
  Wait until you see my LLM crunched on my Voodoo card.
  - solardev 1y ago
    I mean, technically Nvidia did buy 3dfx... so you're not far off :)
guerrilla 1y ago
I feel like this is just another publicity stunt.
- pryelluw 1y ago
  From IBM?! No …
- xfactorial 1y ago
  For what i know, IBM R&D is truly a marvel in terms of Innovation, but one thing is “we managed to Create a process to make xyz” and another is, indeed, putting it together at scale. 5 nanometer was something they worked on, but it was TMCS the one who actually made it happen. Perhaps this is a good chance to put to work some of that research using AMD Manufacturing. Let’s see how it goes.
jzelinskie 1y ago
After reading about the recommendation system breakthrough[1], I'm more curious about just how much we're leaving on the table with classical algorithms. If you raised the amount of money being funneled into quantum computing and spent it purely funding classical algorithm research, would you be better off? [1]: https://www.quantamagazine.org/teenager-finds-classical-alternative-to-quantum-recommendation-algorithm-20180731/ https://www.quantamagazine.org/teenager-finds-classical-alte...
- mrbungie 1y ago
  Shhh, big tech needs a new dragon to chase iff GenAI stops being shiny. Non-cynic take: exploration-based endeavors still may end up in useful developments.
ranger_danger 1y ago
Is that the world's largest heatsink? Either way it's beautiful.
Jlagreen 1y ago
So, it's basically trying to catch up again: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/solutions/quantum-computing/ https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/solutions/quantum-computing/ Or some interesting news here: https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-powers-worlds-largest-quantum-research-supercomputer https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-powers-worlds-larg... At least, they aren't waiting until CUDA quantum becomes as large as CUDA for GPUs.

56 points by donutloop 1y ago

orionblastar 1y ago

This reminds me of when IBM, Motorola, and Apple did PowerPC.

beeflet 1y ago
IBM is still doing POWER. I have one running on my desk

Towaway69 1y ago

Are they combining forces in an attempt to overtake nvidia in the AI space?

heisgone 1y ago

Is IBM still a serious player? It seems to me they are living out of legacy software. Is there quantum computer stuff promising?

staringback 1y ago
What do you mean? IBM is the world leader of AI development thanks to their cutting edge IBM Watson
- heisgone 1y ago
  Watson used to be cool... a decade ago. I used it to evaluate subreddit personallity trait back then: https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2r0prh/what_ibm_watson_thinks_of_reddit_more_in_comments/ https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2r0prh/wha...
- stirfish 1y ago
  I can't tell if you're being serious. Watson is... fine. You can try out the granite models for yourself.
wmf 1y ago
IBM really is a leader in quantum computing but it's not yet clear whether that field will ever have real-world value.
- gentooflux 1y ago
  And if it does, that value will likely fall somewhere between 0 and 1.
  - bee_rider 1y ago
    I think it’ll be exactly one, or exactly zero. That’s the quantum part, right?
esseph 1y ago
They are among the best in the world, and they also have a very strong presence in Operational Technology industries like manufacturing.
zipy124 1y ago
IBM is still a serious player in research, just not in actual output. They make a substantial sum from IP licensing/consulting to the more modern players. They do for example a large amount of foundational silicon research that other fabs can license. Industry analysts like Dr. Ian Curtis are good to keep tabs on this space such as IBMs 2nm wafers https://youtu.be/PpBagorVtC0?si=CB8-2e3KbFgZQqFH https://youtu.be/PpBagorVtC0?si=CB8-2e3KbFgZQqFH . Or his interview with the IBM research VP of hybrid cloud. https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ .

cjs_ac 1y ago

> YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. and AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on the combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing, known as quantum-centric supercomputing. AMD and IBM are collaborating to develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing, leveraging IBM's leadership in developing the world's most performant quantum computers and software, and AMD's leadership in high-performance computing and AI accelerators. Has anyone found a real-world problem that's best solved by a quantum computer that isn't cryptography? I exclude cryptography because if the only thing these machines are good for is breaking ciphers, then governments won't let anyone else buy one, will they?

dijit 1y ago
Materials Science and Drug Discovery would suddenly become a lot easier, along with financial modelling (of our entire society possibly) and logistics/supply chains. They would also be much better at training ML and doing pattern recognition. Basically anything that requires a massively parallel computation on undeterminable states that are only clear in hindsight. They’re really important actually and its only an unfortunate side-effect that the same solution breaks all our cryptography. (of course: the offensive wings of our defence ministries really enjoy that side-effect)
- mcmcmc 1y ago
  Better financial modeling? Oh boy, who’s ready for quantum dynamic pricing to really squeeze your wallet to the max
- atq2119 1y ago
  > Basically anything that requires a massively parallel computation on undeterminable states that are only clear in hindsight. If only. This description makes it sound as if quantum computers could help efficiently solve all problems in NP, which is not believed to be true. Those "undeterminable" states need some non-trivial algebraic structure so that destructive interference of states can do its magic in a quantum computer. Finding such a structure is incredibly difficult, if it exists at all.

cs702 1y ago

> Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) announced plans to develop next-generation computing architectures based on the combination of quantum computers and high-performance computing, known as quantum-centric supercomputing. AMD and IBM are collaborating to develop scalable, open-source platforms that could redefine the future of computing, leveraging IBM's leadership in developing the world's most performant quantum computers and software, and AMD's leadership in high-performance computing and AI accelerators. Translation from corporate-speak: "Maybe we can chip away at Nvidia's dominance by working together and promising something Nvidia can't offer?" As I understand things, firing up a bunch of GPUs is still more cost-effective than any quantum computer available right now. Nonetheless, I wish IBM and AMD lots of success. It would be nice if Nvidia gets real competition!

esseph 1y ago
.. I haven't heard about Nvidia working on quantum anything? This seems very different, more of a leap forward but in a different direction. Note: Start moving to quantum-resistant algorithms now.
- cs702 1y ago
  The announcement is meant to make corporate buyers believe that IBM's quantum magic + AMD's chips could somehow leapfrog Nvidia's GPUs, hoping to slow down its sales. I never wrote Nvidia is working on quantum anything.
  - esseph 1y ago
    It sounds like are intended to be products used to solve different problems but in a similar space. At least, if IBM is trying to parley their quantum advances. Different customers?
    - cs702 1y ago
      In theory, quantum algorithms could solve problems that have a combinatorial nature faster than classical algorithms. In practice, today, those problems are faster, cheaper, and easier to solve with classical algorithms on rented cloud hardware.

kirito1337 1y ago

[dead]

solardev 1y ago

Why does the future of computing sound like we're back in 1999? Who's next... Intel and SGI? Rockchip and Cyrix? Nvidia must be positively trembling...

Mistletoe 1y ago
Wait until you see my LLM crunched on my Voodoo card.
- solardev 1y ago
  I mean, technically Nvidia did buy 3dfx... so you're not far off :)

guerrilla 1y ago

I feel like this is just another publicity stunt.

pryelluw 1y ago
From IBM?! No …
xfactorial 1y ago
For what i know, IBM R&D is truly a marvel in terms of Innovation, but one thing is “we managed to Create a process to make xyz” and another is, indeed, putting it together at scale. 5 nanometer was something they worked on, but it was TMCS the one who actually made it happen. Perhaps this is a good chance to put to work some of that research using AMD Manufacturing. Let’s see how it goes.

jzelinskie 1y ago

After reading about the recommendation system breakthrough[1], I'm more curious about just how much we're leaving on the table with classical algorithms. If you raised the amount of money being funneled into quantum computing and spent it purely funding classical algorithm research, would you be better off? [1]: https://www.quantamagazine.org/teenager-finds-classical-alternative-to-quantum-recommendation-algorithm-20180731/ https://www.quantamagazine.org/teenager-finds-classical-alte...

mrbungie 1y ago
Shhh, big tech needs a new dragon to chase iff GenAI stops being shiny. Non-cynic take: exploration-based endeavors still may end up in useful developments.

ranger_danger 1y ago

Is that the world's largest heatsink? Either way it's beautiful.

Jlagreen 1y ago

So, it's basically trying to catch up again: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/solutions/quantum-computing/ https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/solutions/quantum-computing/ Or some interesting news here: https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-powers-worlds-largest-quantum-research-supercomputer https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-powers-worlds-larg... At least, they aren't waiting until CUDA quantum becomes as large as CUDA for GPUs.