Introducing HPC-Quantum Firsts at SC25

High performance computing (HPC) and quantum computing are no strangers. Today, HPC is providing infrastructure for quantum computers and the two work together to execute tasks that include the development of artificial intelligence programs and systems. While growing, this increasing integration is in its nascency, but the combination of HPC and quantum computing may just be the future of computing. 

For that reason, SC25, taking place November 16-21, in St. Louis, Mo., will showcase an increasing number of “firsts” to introduce attendees to HPC and quantum and the possibilities they hold as a collective approach to computing. 

Firsts at SC25

For instance, SC25 will hold its 1st Annual Workshop on Large-Scale Quantum-Classical Computing. This workshop will showcase state-of-the-art solutions that are used to integrate quantum processing units (QPUs) into a heterogeneous classical computer infrastructure. Additionally, the workshop will demonstrate how QPUs are integrated without having to reinvent established HPC systems and tools. Ultimately, this workshop will strive to exhibit how these integration efforts pave the way to a quantum advantage becoming a reality in the near future.

In addition, this year’s SC will feature the 1st International Workshop for Software Frameworks and Workload Management on Quantum-HPC Ecosystems. During this workshop, experts from academia, industry, and national labs will discuss the challenges of integrating quantum processors with HPC systems, and demonstrate some of the cutting-edge research on middleware, algorithms, decomposition strategies, and more. The goal is to provide attendees with valuable insights into best practices, emerging technologies, and the future direction of quantum and HPC integrations.

First Look at Quantum Innovations

And while not a first for SC, Quantum Junction, a dedicated forum for startups and global tech companies focused on quantum technologies, will provide attendees with a look into some first-of-its-kind innovations driving and shaping the future of quantum and HPC. For instance, companies like Alpine Quantum Technologies (AQT), a global leader in ion-trap quantum computing, will showcase MARMOT, the first commercial 19-inch rack-mounted quantum computer. And D-Wave Quantum Inc., a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, will present its annealing quantum computers, which have earned recognition as a unique demonstration of quantum computational supremacy on a useful problem. A number of other significant innovations will be demonstrated in the quantum space.

“The integration of quantum processes with high-performance computing has the potential to be exponentially transformational for computing as we know it today,” said Hironori Washizaki, 2025 IEEE Computer Society President. “Its ability to tackle the complex, large-scale problems that classic supercomputers are not capable of, makes this pairing so significant to the future of not only quantum and HPC, but to our world. So given its ‘infancy,’ it’s no wonder we are experiencing a number of firsts at SC25 around this integration, and we feel privileged to be able to introduce these at this event to further the discussions and advance the development of what could be one of the most revolutionary innovations of our time.”

SC25 will provide an unmatched learning experience when it comes to HPC and quantum. With its understanding of the significance of HPQ and quantum, and its initiative to tackle the complex topic through a number of “firsts,” the event serves as the leading and preeminent forum to engage around a topic that is driving forward the future of computing. 

“HPC and quantum computing are the future of computing,” said Washizaki. “And if you want to know and understand real-life applications of HPC and quantum today, and what the future holds for it, you need to be at SC25.”

For more information on SC25, which is sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society, or to register, visit https://sc25.supercomputing.org/.

Text and Images: IEEE