IBM to Build its First European Quantum Data Center
IBM announced plans to open its first Europe-based
quantum data center to facilitate access to cutting-edge quantum computing for
companies, research institutions and government agencies.
The data
center is expected to be operational in 2024, with multiple IBM quantum
computing systems, each with utility scale quantum processors, i.e., those of
more than 100 qubits.
The data
center will be located at IBM's facility in Ehningen, Germany, and will
serve as IBM Quantum's European cloud region. Users in Europe and
elsewhere in the world will be able to provision services at the data center
for their cloud-based quantum computing research and exploratory activity. The
data center is being designed to help clients continue to manage their European
data regulation requirements, including processing all job data within EU
borders. The facility will be IBM's second quantum data center and quantum
cloud region, after Poughkeepsie, New York.
"Europe has
some of the world's most advanced users of quantum computers, and interest is
only accelerating with the era of utility scale quantum processors,"
said Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum. "The
planned quantum data center and associated cloud region will give European
users a new option as they seek to tap the power of quantum computing in an
effort to solve some of the world's most challenging problems."
"Our
quantum data center in Europe is an integral piece of our global
endeavor," said Ana Paula Assis, IBM General Manager for EMEA.
"It will provide new opportunities for our clients to collaborate
side-by-side with our scientists in Europe, as well as their own clients,
as they explore how best to apply quantum in their industry."
The IBM
Quantum Network currently has more than 60 organizations across Europe accessing
quantum hardware and software via the cloud, including Bosch; Bundeswehr
University; Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, including its technology
subsidiary Euro-Information, and Targobank;
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY); the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN);
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC);
and, T-Systems.
These
clients across Europe are exploring potential uses for quantum
computing including material science, high energy physics, energy transition,
sustainability, and financial applications.
"We
are happy and proud to support the IBM Quantum team's decision to set up their
European quantum data center in Ehningen, Germany," said Dr. Raoul
Klingner, Director Research, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. "The choice of
location in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg will further strengthen the
ecosystem that Fraunhofer has built with customers and partners from industry
and research. We are pleased to further continue our strategic partnership with
IBM."
"At
T-Systems, we are collaborating with IBM to combine quantum and classical
computing in a seamless and scalable experience for our customers to explore
applications of quantum computing," said Adel Al-Saleh, Deutsche
Telekom board member and Chief Executive of T-Systems. "Having access to a
quantum data center dedicated to Europe will help lower the access
barrier for our customers as they decide on how to take their first, decisive
steps in exploring and using quantum."
The
European cloud region is a key component in IBM's efforts to collaborate with
leading European industry, academia and government to advance quantum and build
a quantum workforce in Europe. IBM Quantum and the open source Qiskit®
software is used in over 100 university classes in Europe. One million
learners in Europe have advanced their quantum skills through
hackathons, workshops and digital learning sponsored by IBM.
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