> 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!
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.
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?
> 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?
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)
> 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.
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.
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.
Readit News
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!
This seems very different, more of a leap forward but in a different direction.
Note: Start moving to quantum-resistant algorithms now.
I never wrote Nvidia is working on quantum anything.
[1]: https://www.quantamagazine.org/teenager-finds-classical-alte...
Non-cynic take: exploration-based endeavors still may end up in useful developments.
Or some interesting news here: 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.
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?
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)
From https://scottaaronson.blog/ :
“If you take nothing else from this blog: quantum computers won't solve hard problems instantly by just trying all solutions in parallel.”
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.
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 .
Or his interview with the IBM research VP of hybrid cloud. https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ .
https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/2r0prh/wha...
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.