Staff Reporter
Nvidia (NVDA) is set to open a quantum computing research lab in Boston, with plans to team up with scientists from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CEO Jensen Huang stated on Thursday.
Huang shared this news during Nvidia’s annual software developer conference in San Jose, California, where the company dedicated a full day to discussions on quantum computing.
This initiative comes after Huang previously suggested in January that practical quantum computers are still two decades away. On Thursday, he sought to clarify those remarks while sharing the stage with leaders from various quantum computing companies.
“This is the first time in history that a CEO has invited guests to explain why he was wrong,” Huang remarked.
The Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Research Center, or NVAQC, is set to collaborate with quantum firms such as Quantinuum, Quantum Machines, and QuEra Computing. Nvidia announced that the center will begin operations later this year.
Jensen Huang spoke with executives from over a dozen companies about the current state of the quantum technology industry, where some are seeking to profit from quantum advancements even before these computers surpass traditional ones.
Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion, highlighted that the company is already delivering improved computing clocks that enhance the synchronization of multiple classical computing chips.
“We’re following a proven strategy by monetizing areas where we currently have a genuine quantum advantage,” Kinsella explained.
The leaders in quantum tech emphasized that while their machines may excel over Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs) in specific tasks, such as analyzing atomic interactions, they do not intend to replace traditional computers.
“We use your GPUs to design our chips,” noted Peter Chapman, CEO of IonQ. “It’s going to be a classical system working alongside a quantum computer, exchanging information. I wouldn’t bet against Nvidia stock in the near future.”
