Nvidia Joins Ongoing Race in Quantum-Computing Cloud Service

NvidiaA Corp., a global leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI), has made a significant move into the quantum computing arena. The company recently launched the NVIDIA Quantum Cloud, a cloud service designed to empower researchers and developers in the field of quantum computing.

Cloud to give scientists access to quantum-computer simulation
Governments are pledging billions to fund quantum computing

Simulating Quantum Computers

The Nvidia Quantum Cloud will initially consist of a data center equipped with AI chips and systems that simulate a quantum computer. Unlike other cloud services, Nvidia’s offering does not currently have a quantum computer directly attached to it. However, it will grant access to third-party quantum computers in the future. Tim Costa, the director of high-performance computing and quantum computing at Nvidia, shared this insight with Bloomberg ahead of the GPU Technology Conference.

A Crowded Arena

Nvidia’s entry into the quantum-computing cloud services market comes later than some of its competitors. Microsoft launched Azure Quantum in 2019, while Amazon Web Services introduced Braket the same year. Additionally, IBM-backed startup Strangeworks Inc. has been providing access to dozens of quantum computers on its cloud since 2017.

However, Nvidia’s quantum simulator will be integrated into the offerings of major cloud providers such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. This move aims to enhance the accessibility of quantum-computer simulations for researchers and developers.

The Quantum Computing Landscape

Governments and corporations worldwide are investing billions of dollars in quantum computing research. Although practical applications of quantum computers remain scarce, the allure lies in their potential computation speeds, which could be hundreds of millions of times faster than current supercomputers. The fear of missing out on this transformative technology, both militarily and commercially, drives the global enthusiasm.

Nvidia, once a bystander in the quantum race, has now become a key player. Its graphics processing units (GPUs), originally designed for video games, have proven valuable for certain types of computations. These same calculations are essential for quantum computer simulations, making Nvidia’s AI chips, such as the H100 Tensor Core GPUs, crucial components in quantum research. Furthermore, these GPUs are now powerful enough to handle classical algorithms previously too large for conventional computers, including those used in drug discovery and materials science.

Separately, Nvidia’s chips will also play a role in the publicly-funded ABCI-Q supercomputer, developed by Fujitsu Ltd. for Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. The supercomputer, featuring over 2,000 Nvidia H100 Tensor Core GPUs, is set to be deployed early next year.

Nvidia’s Quantum Cloud distinguishes itself in several ways when compared to other cloud services in the quantum-computing domain:

Simulation Focus: Unlike some other cloud providers that offer direct access to physical quantum computers, Nvidia’s service primarily focuses on quantum-computer simulation. It provides a data center equipped with AI chips and systems that simulate a quantum computer. Researchers can test their quantum-computing software in this simulated environment.

In summary, Nvidia’s Quantum Cloud aims to democratize quantum-computer simulations, bridging the gap between theory and practical applications in this exciting and rapidly evolving field