At COMPUTEX, NVIDIA announced its involvement in powering ABCI-Q, the world’s largest supercomputer dedicated to quantum computing research. Located at the newly launched Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT) in Japan, the system is designed to advance quantum-GPU hybrid computing at scale.
The ABCI-Q supercomputer was developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). It is equipped with 2,020 NVIDIA H100 GPUs and uses NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand to deliver high-speed interconnectivity. These technologies aim to help researchers solve complex scientific and industrial challenges by combining classical AI supercomputing with emerging quantum processors.
Accelerating the quantum-GPU future
The launch of ABCI-Q marks a significant step towards practical quantum computing applications. At its core, the system runs on CUDA-Q, NVIDIA’s open-source hybrid computing platform. CUDA-Q manages the orchestration of both hardware and software across large-scale quantum workloads, allowing users to test and develop new quantum-powered applications.
“Seamlessly coupling quantum hardware with AI supercomputing will accelerate realising the promise of quantum computing for all,” said Tim Costa, senior director of computer-aided engineering, quantum and CUDA-X at NVIDIA. “NVIDIA’s collaboration with AIST will catalyse progress in areas like quantum error correction and applications development — crucial for building useful, accelerated quantum supercomputers.”
ABCI-Q supports a range of qubit technologies, including a superconducting processor developed by Fujitsu, a neutral atom processor by QuEra, and a photonic processor by OptQC. This approach enables multi-qubit modality research and supports hybrid computing workflows across different hardware types.
Unlocking new research possibilities
Researchers using ABCI-Q are expected to explore foundational challenges in quantum computing such as error correction, hardware scalability, and useful applications in areas like energy optimisation, drug discovery, and financial modelling.
“ABCI-Q will enable researchers in Japan to explore the core challenges quantum computing technologies face and speed the path to practical use cases,” said Masahiro Horibe, deputy director of G-QuAT and AIST. “The NVIDIA accelerated computing platform in ABCI-Q will empower scientists to experiment with the stepping-stone systems needed to advance quantum computing.”
The new facility aims to serve as a global research hub for quantum-AI integration. As demand grows for advanced computational solutions, the ABCI-Q supercomputer is expected to attract scientists and engineers working to bring real-world quantum applications closer to reality.
A new era for quantum research
The collaboration between NVIDIA and AIST showcases a major milestone in the push for hybrid quantum-classical computing systems. By combining leading-edge GPU technologies with diverse quantum processors under one platform, ABCI-Q provides researchers with a robust environment to test quantum ideas at scale.
This project aligns with a broader trend of bridging classical and quantum computing, where both platforms work together to address problems that neither could solve alone. With ABCI-Q, Japan is positioning itself as a leader in the global quantum race, backed by a strong foundation of AI supercomputing expertise.
