We discuss a Quantum-Enhanced Computing Continuum, a heterogeneous, hybrid architecture that integrates quantum processing units (QPUs) within an Edge-Cloud-HPC fabric. Promote sustainability by shifting from performance to "energy-aware integration.' The architecture has three layers: a Physical Layer with shared fiber-optic infrastructure, a Control and Orchestration Layer managed by the user, and an Application Layer with an Adaptive Quantum Classical Fusion (AQCF) framework. Tighter system integration, like moving from cloud coupling to cryogenic logic, reduces energy waste and "thermal footprints.' The aim is a Green Performance Advantage: energy per problem solved in the era of Advanced Computing.
We discuss a Quantum-Enhanced Computing Continuum, a heterogeneous, hybrid architecture that integrates quantum processing units (QPUs) within an Edge-Cloud-HPC fabric. Promote sustainability by shifting from performance to "energy-aware integration.' The architecture has three layers: a Physical Layer with shared fiber-optic infrastructure, a Control and Orchestration Layer managed by the user, and an Application Layer with an Adaptive Quantum Classical Fusion (AQCF) framework. Tighter system integration, like moving from cloud coupling to cryogenic logic, reduces energy waste and "thermal footprints.' The aim is a Green Performance Advantage: energy per problem solved in the era of Advanced Computing.
High-performance computing (HPC) has evolved over decades through multiple architectural transitions, from vector supercomputers to massively parallel CPU clusters and GPU-accelerated systems, continuously expanding the frontier of scientific discovery. With the emergence of quantum processing units (QPUs) as practical computational accelerators, a new opportunity arises to further extend this trajectory by integrating quantum and classical computing paradigms. Building on the emerging vision of Quantum Integrated High-Performance Computing (QHPC), this paper contributes a full-stack layered architecture that integrates QPUs as first-class accelerators within, not merely alongside, the classical HPC software and hardware stack, with tight, on-premise quantum-classical coupling as its defining characteristic. The architecture comprises of unified resource management, quantum-aware scheduling, hybrid workflow orchestration, middleware and programming abstraction, interconnect technologies, and a tiered execution model enabling seamless workload partitioning across classical and quantum backends. A central aspect of this architecture is a strong user requests abstraction layer that exposes heterogeneous resources through a unified job submission interface, similar in spirit to existing schedulers such as Slurm, allowing users to describe workloads in a consistent template independent of underlying compute type or location. Drawing insights from prior accelerator integration eras, we outline how QHPC can support emerging workloads in quantum chemistry, materials discovery, combinatorial optimization, and climate modeling. We conclude by highlighting open challenges in building scalable, reliable, and programmable quantum-classical infrastructures that seamlessly connect global users to heterogeneous compute resources for future quantum-classical HPC ecosystems.
High-performance computing (HPC) has evolved over decades through multiple architectural transitions, from vector supercomputers to massively parallel CPU clusters and GPU-accelerated systems, continuously expanding the frontier of scientific discovery. With the emergence of quantum processing units (QPUs) as practical computational accelerators, a new opportunity arises to further extend this trajectory by integrating quantum and classical computing paradigms. Building on the emerging vision of Quantum Integrated High-Performance Computing (QHPC), this paper contributes a full-stack layered architecture that integrates QPUs as first-class accelerators within, not merely alongside, the classical HPC software and hardware stack, with tight, on-premise quantum–classical coupling as its defining characteristic. The architecture comprises of unified resource management, quantum-aware scheduling, hybrid workflow orchestration, middleware and programming abstraction, interconnect technologies, and a tiered execution model enabling seamless workload partitioning across classical and quantum backends. A central aspect of this architecture is a strong user requests abstraction layer that exposes heterogeneous resources through a unified job submission interface, similar in spirit to existing schedulers such as Slurm, allowing users to describe workloads in a consistent template independent of underlying compute type or location. Drawing insights from prior accelerator integration eras, we outline how QHPC can support emerging workloads in quantum chemistry, materials discovery, combinatorial optimization, and climate modeling. We conclude by highlighting open challenges in building scalable, reliable, and programmable quantum–classical infrastructures that seamlessly connect global users to heterogeneous compute resources for future quantum–classical HPC ecosystems.
Quantum processing units (QPUs) are currently exclusively available from cloud vendors. However, with recent advancements, hosting QPUs will soon be possible everywhere. Existing work has yet to draw from research in edge computing to explore systems exploiting mobile QPUs, or how hybrid applications can benefit from distributed heterogeneous resources. Hence, this work presents an architecture for Quantum Computing in the edge-cloud continuum. We discuss the necessity, challenges, and solution approaches for extending existing work on classical edge computing to integrate QPUs. We describe how warm-starting allows defining workflows that exploit the hierarchical resources spread across the continuum. Then, we introduce a distributed inference engine with hybrid classical-quantum neural networks (QNNs) to aid system designers in accommodating applications with complex requirements that incur the highest degree of heterogeneity. We propose solutions focusing on classical layer partitioning and quantum circuit cutting to demonstrate the potential of utilizing classical and quantum computation across the continuum. To evaluate the importance and feasibility of our vision, we provide a proof of concept that exemplifies how extending a classical partition method to integrate quantum circuits can improve the solution quality. Specifically, we implement a split neural network with optional hybrid QNN predictors. Our results show that extending classical methods with QNNs is viable and promising for future work.
The evolution of cloud computing towards multi-cloud architectures has provided significant advantages in flexibility and resilience. Concurrently, quantum computing has emerged as a new computational paradigm with the potential to solve problems intractable for classical systems. However, access to quantum resources is currently fragmented across siloed, provider-specific cloud platforms, negating the benefits of a multi-cloud strategy. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a comprehensive framework for integrating heterogeneous quantum computing resources into a unified multi-cloud architecture. The Method involves a four-layer architectural model comprising: (1) an intelligent orchestration and workload management layer with policy-driven resource selection, (2) a universal quantum gateway for interoperability featuring advanced circuit transpilation, (3) a zero-trust secure communication fabric utilizing post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution, and (4) the underlying heterogeneous compute infrastructure of classical and quantum processors. The anticipated Results of implementing this framework include significant, quantifiable enhancements in computational efficiency for complex optimization and simulation problems in fields like drug discovery and materials science, and a strengthened, future-proof security posture resistant to both classical and quantum threats. The Discussion interprets these results, outlining the profound economic and scientific implications. It also provides a deep analysis of the significant challenges to implementation—including quantum hardware immaturity, quantum-classical latency, and interoperability hurdles—and proposes a detailed, phased roadmap for future research. In Conclusion, this work establishes a foundational blueprint for a synergistic quantum-classical ecosystem, paving the way for a new generation of advanced, secure, and powerful cloud environments.
Quantum computers have demonstrated utility in simulating quantum systems beyond brute-force classical approaches. As the community builds on these demonstrations to explore using quantum computing for applied research, algorithms and workflows have emerged that require leveraging both quantum computers and classical high-performance computing (HPC) systems to scale applications, especially in chemistry and materials, beyond what either system can simulate alone. Today, these disparate systems operate in isolation, forcing users to manually orchestrate workloads, coordinate job scheduling, and transfer data between systems -- a cumbersome process that hinders productivity and severely limits rapid algorithmic exploration. These challenges motivate the need for flexible and high-performance Quantum-Centric Supercomputing (QCSC) systems that integrate Quantum Processing Units (QPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and Central Processing Units (CPUs) to accelerate discovery of such algorithms across applications. These systems will be co-designed across quantum and classical HPC infrastructure, middleware, and application layers to accelerate the adoption of quantum computing for solving critical computational problems. We envision QCSC evolution through three distinct phases: (1) quantum systems as specialized compute offload engines within existing HPC complexes; (2) heterogeneous quantum and classical HPC systems coupled through advanced middleware, enabling seamless execution of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms; and (3) fully co-designed heterogeneous quantum-HPC systems for hybrid computational workflows. This article presents a reference architecture and roadmap for these QCSC systems.
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and driving global innovation. However, the increasing complexity of AI models demands substantial data and computational resources, leading to significant energy consumption and environmental impact. This article explores the integration of quantum computing and end-to-end automation strategies in cloud-edge architectures. It proposes a hybrid quantum-classical AI framework that enhances training efficiency and reduces data and processing intensity by minimizing energy consumption. The framework leverages automated model orchestration, adaptive resource allocation, and intelligent data processing at the edge to improve system efficiency. In addition, it addresses ethical considerations, including privacy, fairness, and trustworthiness, to ensure alignment with human values. This approach significantly improves AI performance while fostering a sustainable and ethical AI ecosystem.