HPC Sector Urged to Embrace Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

A new report from Alice & Bob and Hyperion Research outlines the vital importance of preparing for early fault-tolerant quantum computing (eFTQC) in the high-performance computing (HPC) sector. Released on September 11, 2025, the study, titled Seizing Quantum’s Edge: Why and How HPC Should Prepare for eFTQC, emphasizes that eFTQC has the potential to enhance capabilities in critical HPC applications, surpassing classical supercomputing within the next five years.

Bob Sorensen, senior vice president and chief analyst for quantum computing at Hyperion Research, stated, “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.” He cautioned that these advanced systems will not be simple to implement, urging HPC centers to begin preparations now. The aim is to influence system design and achieve early operational expertise.

The report highlights a concerning trend: physical limits on transistor size and energy capacity in classical HPC systems have significantly hindered performance improvements over the last decade. In contrast, the path to practical quantum applications has accelerated dramatically, as evidenced by a 1,000x reduction in the estimated resources needed to execute Shor’s algorithm.

Projected Advancements in Quantum Computing

According to the report, within five years, quantum computers equipped with between 100 and 1,000 logical qubits and a logical error rate ranging from 10^-6 to 10^-10 are expected to significantly enhance scientific computing applications. The initial focus will be on materials science, rapidly expanding into quantum chemistry and fusion energy simulations.

“The HPC users will see benefits in accuracy, time-to-solution, and computational cost as hybrid HPC-quantum workflows shift some computationally complex subproblems to quantum processors,” explained Théau Peronnin, CEO of Alice & Bob. He emphasized that HPC centers aiming for leadership must co-design hybrid workflows with users and vendors, develop efficient software and hardware infrastructures, and deploy eFTQC prototypes to secure a competitive advantage.

The document details strategies for integrating eFTQC with existing technologies, such as GPUs and CPUs, within supercomputing centers. It offers practical recommendations for building application codes tailored for HPC users, crafting a hybrid software stack, and training the HPC user community for successful adoption of eFTQC.

Strategies for a Quantum-Ready Workforce

To maximize the advantages of quantum processing, the report advises HPC centers to explore heterogeneous workloads through collaborations with quantum vendors. Juliette Peyronnet, U.S. general manager at Alice & Bob and co-author of the report, remarked, “The HPC community has always been quick to adopt disruptive architectures – from vector processors to GPUs – and quantum computing is no exception.” She framed the report as a call to action for HPC centers to prepare for the integration of eFTQC, ensuring they are positioned to harness the next significant advancement in high-performance computing.

As the landscape of computing evolves, the HPC sector stands on the brink of a transformative era. By embracing early fault-tolerant quantum computing, organizations can not only enhance their capabilities but also ensure their relevance in a rapidly changing technological environment.