KISTI Partners with NVIDIA and IonQ to Build a Leading ‘Quantum–HPC Hybrid’ Infrastructure

- Trilateral agreement signed at GTC… linking Supercomputer No. 6 “HANGANG” with the quantum computer “Tempo”

- Collaboration on integrated quantum–HPC technologies, AI model optimization, and global talent development

- Securing computing infrastructure as a key enabler of the “K-Moonshot” Project and “Science and Technology × AI national strategies”

□ The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI, President Sik Lee) announced that it signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding with global AI computing company NVIDIA and quantum computing company IonQ in San Jose, United States, on March 18 (local time). The agreement aims to promote collaboration on quantum–high-performance computing hybrid computing technologies and to foster a related ecosystem.

(추가)

□ In particular, the collaboration aims to go beyond simple infrastructure integration by developing an integrated platform that enables complex algorithms for solving scientific grand challenges to be simulated on a supercomputer and then optimized for execution on real quantum hardware. Key areas of collaboration include the following.

  • Joint R&D on quantum–HPC hybrid technologies: integration of IonQ’s quantum hardware with KISTI’s HPC infrastructure and development of related application technologies

  • Next-generation algorithm simulation: joint research on simulation technologies and applications for next-generation quantum hardware and algorithms

  • Quantum-accelerated AI model development: research and optimization of AI models to accelerate advances in quantum technologies

  • Global quantum talent development: exchange of research personnel, joint workshops, and specialized training programs

  • Expansion of Korea’s quantum ecosystem: joint efforts to broaden the adoption of quantum computing in Korea and stimulate the domestic industry ecosystem

□ This collaboration is expected to mark an important turning point for elevating Korea’s technological standing amid intensifying global competition in quantum computing. While quantum computing and supercomputing have historically developed as separate domains, global technology trends are rapidly shifting toward hybrid models that combine the strengths of both systems. Through this trilateral collaboration, Korea will establish a practical demonstration case linking a high-performance GPU-based supercomputer with a commercial ion-trap quantum computer. This initiative is expected to position Korea as a leading country in the development of global quantum hybrid computing technologies.

□ NVIDIA and IonQ, the partner organizations in this initiative, will provide strong support for infrastructure development at KISTI based on their world-leading technologies. NVIDIA will provide the software stack centered on its quantum–HPC integration platform CUDA-Q, enabling high-speed simulation of quantum algorithms and real-time integration with physical quantum hardware. In particular, NVIDIA’s NVQLink enables the integration of quantum processors with its latest accelerated computing technologies, significantly improving the speed of quantum error correction (QEC).

□ IonQ will provide its next-generation ion-trap quantum computer “Tempo” with 100 qubits. Tempo utilizes barium-ion technology to deliver high fidelity and long coherence times and is designed to achieve performance equivalent to 64 algorithmic qubits (#AQ*64), enabling computational capabilities approaching real-world industrial problem solving.

  * #AQ (Algorithmic Qubits): a metric used to measure the effective performance of a quantum computer, indicating how accurately real algorithms can be executed rather than simply the number of physical qubits.

□ Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, stated during his visit to Korea in October last year that “in the near future, all NVIDIA GPU supercomputers will evolve into hybrid systems closely integrated with quantum processors.” At that time, he also pledged to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) for technical collaboration with KISTI. IonQ has likewise strengthened cooperation to expand Korea’s quantum computing ecosystem, including signing an agreement with the Ministry of Science and ICT in January this year to establish a “Quantum Solution Innovation Hub.” These developments laid a solid foundation for the present trilateral collaboration.

□ Through this collaboration, KISTI will combine its accumulated expertise in operating national HPC infrastructure with NVIDIA’s accelerated computing technologies and IonQ’s high-performance quantum hardware. Based on this synergy, researchers in Korea are expected to gain access to a practical research infrastructure capable of addressing complex challenges, such as drug discovery, advanced materials research, and financial optimization, within a world-class quantum–HPC hybrid computing environment. This initiative is also expected to serve as a key foundation for supporting the government’s “K-Moonshot” Project, which aims to accelerate scientific innovation and address national missions through the integration of “Science and Technology × AI.”

□ KISTI President Sik Lee stated: “This trilateral collaboration will serve as a major turning point in leading global trends in quantum–HPC integration technologies while providing researchers in Korea with world-class computing environments. By maximizing the synergy between the sixth national supercomputer ‘HANGANG’ and the quantum computer ‘Tempo,’ we will make every effort to ensure that Korea emerges as a key hub in the global quantum economy.”

(From left) Marc Hamilton, Vice President of Solutions Architecture and Engineering, NVIDIA; Sik Lee, President of KISTI; and Scott Millard, Chief Business Officer, IonQ 

(March 18, 2026, San Jose, United States)