HPC Community Must Embrace Early Quantum Computing Solutions

A recent report from Alice & Bob and Hyperion Research emphasizes the urgent need for the high-performance computing (HPC) community to prepare for early fault-tolerant quantum computing (eFTQC). Released on September 11, 2025, the study highlights how eFTQC can significantly enhance solutions for critical HPC applications, surpassing the capabilities of traditional supercomputing within the next five years.

The report, titled Seizing Quantum’s Edge: Why and How HPC Should Prepare for eFTQC, outlines strategies for HPC professionals to invest in the design and integration of hybrid workflows that will be essential for near-term applications. “Quantum technologies are a pivotal opportunity for the HPC community, offering the potential to significantly accelerate a wide range of critical science and engineering applications in the near-term,” stated Bob Sorensen, senior vice president and chief analyst for quantum computing at Hyperion Research. He added that these advanced machines will not be easily integrated, urging HPC centers to begin preparations that will allow them to influence system design and gain operational expertise early on.

The report details the physical limitations that have hindered performance improvements in classical HPC systems over the past decade. These constraints, including transistor size and chip energy capacity, have made it increasingly difficult to maintain performance gains. In contrast, advancements in quantum computing have progressed rapidly, as evidenced by the dramatic reduction in resources needed to run Shor’s algorithm—a decrease of 1,000 times.

Looking ahead, the report projects that within five years, quantum computers featuring between 100 and 1,000 logical qubits and a logical error rate ranging from 10^-6 to 10^-10 will enhance scientific computing applications. This will initially focus on fields such as materials science and is expected to expand to quantum chemistry and fusion energy simulations. “HPC users will see benefits in accuracy, time-to-solution, and computational costs as hybrid HPC-quantum workflows shift some computationally complex subproblems to quantum processors,” remarked Théau Peronnin, CEO of Alice & Bob.

To remain competitive, the report advises HPC centers to co-design hybrid workflows with users and vendors, develop efficient software and hardware infrastructure, and deploy eFTQC prototypes. This proactive approach is essential to securing a first-mover advantage in the quantum computing landscape.

To successfully integrate eFTQC alongside traditional GPUs and CPUs, the report provides actionable recommendations. These include building application codes tailored for HPC users, creating a hybrid software stack, and training the HPC user base for the transition to eFTQC. Establishing a quantum-ready workforce and infrastructure is crucial for maximizing the potential benefits of quantum processing. The report encourages HPC centers to explore heterogeneous workloads through collaboration with quantum vendors.

“The HPC community has always been quick to adopt disruptive architectures—from vector processors to GPUs—and quantum computing is no exception,” noted Juliette Peyronnet, US general manager at Alice & Bob and co-author of the report. She emphasized that this document serves as a crucial call to action for HPC centers to begin preparations for the integration of eFTQC now. This foresight will position them to leverage the next significant accelerator in high-performance computing.

As the field of quantum computing continues to evolve, the HPC community faces both challenges and opportunities. By embracing these emerging technologies, HPC professionals can pave the way for unprecedented advancements in scientific research and engineering applications.