The emerging availability of quantum compute resources fosters the examination of its exploitation possibilities in different scientific domains, like artificial intelligence, manufacturing or finance. A significant number of research scientists primarily rely on cloud computing infrastructures while conducting research, whereas access to real (mostly remote) quantum hardware resources requires the deployment and proper configuration of different software components. In this paper we present a hybrid, cloud-based reference architecture that lowers the entry barrier to start new experiments with a wide range of quantum compute resources. The solution facilitates the execution of distributed quantum computing simulations in traditional cloud environments, and also access to several remote quantum compute resources. The reference architecture is highly portable to various cloud platforms, resulting in efficient adaptation and application possibilities by research communities. For demonstration purposes, the paper describes our related experiences on the federated, OpenStack-based research infrastructure of the Hungarian Research Network (abbreviated as HUN-REN).
The emerging availability of quantum compute resources fosters the examination of its exploitation possibilities in different scientific domains, like artificial intelligence, manufacturing or finance. A significant number of research scientists primarily rely on cloud computing infrastructures while conducting research, whereas access to real (mostly remote) quantum hardware resources requires the deployment and proper configuration of different software components. In this paper we present a hybrid, cloud-based reference architecture that lowers the entry barrier to start new experiments with a wide range of quantum compute resources. The solution facilitates the execution of distributed quantum computing simulations in traditional cloud environments, and also access to several remote quantum compute resources. The reference architecture is highly portable to various cloud platforms, resulting in efficient adaptation and application possibilities by research communities. For demonstration purposes, the paper describes our related experiences on the federated, OpenStack-based research infrastructure of the Hungarian Research Network (abbreviated as HUN-REN).
The increasing accessibility of quantum computing resources encourages research into the potential applications of this technology in a variety of scientific fields, including artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and finance.While a large number of research scientists do their work largely using cloud computing infrastructures, access to real (sometimes distant) quantum hardware resources necessitates the deployment and appropriate setup of several software components.We provide a hybrid cloud-based reference architecture in this study that makes it easier to launch new experiments utilizing a variety of quantum computing resources.The technique makes it easier to access many remote quantum compute resources and to run distributed quantum computing simulations in conventional cloud settings.Because the reference design is so adaptable to many cloud platforms, there are many opportunities for applications.
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.
The emergence of quantum computing proposes a revolutionary paradigm that can radically transform numerous scientific and industrial application domains. The ability of quantum computers to scale computations beyond what the current computers are capable of implies better performance and efficiency for certain algorithmic tasks. However, to benefit from such improvement, quantum computers must be integrated with existing software systems, a process that is not straightforward. In this paper, we propose a unified execution model that addresses the challenges that emerge from building hybrid classical-quantum applications at scale. Following the Design Science Research methodology, we proposed a convention for mapping quantum resources and artifacts to Kubernetes concepts. Then, in an experimental Kubernetes cluster, we conducted experiments for scheduling and executing quantum tasks on both quantum simulators and hardware. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed platform Qubernetes (or Kubernetes for quantum) exposes the quantum computation tasks and hardware capabilities following established cloud-native principles, allowing seamless integration into the larger Kubernetes ecosystem. The quantum computing potential cannot be realized without seamless integration into classical computing. By validating that it is practical to execute quantum tasks in a Kubernetes infrastructure, we pave the way for leveraging the existing Kubernetes ecosystem as an enabler for hybrid classical-quantum computing.
The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cloud infrastructure represents a paradigm shift in how intelligent systems are designed, trained, and deployed. As AI models continue to demand exponential computational resources, classical systems are increasingly reaching their performance limits in domains such as high-dimensional optimization, complex pattern recognition, and probabilistic modeling. Quantum computing, with its foundational principles of superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism, offers a theoretical edge in solving problems that are intractable for conventional hardware. However, the practical deployment of quantum algorithms—particularly those relevant to machine learning (ML) has been hindered by the limited scalability and accessibility of quantum hardware. To bridge this gap, cloud-based quantum computing platforms have emerged, providing remote, programmable access to quantum devices and hybrid runtimes. In this context, the present study offers a comprehensive review of cloud-delivered quantum AI systems, examining core architectures, hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, platform capabilities, and real-world use cases. The paper synthesizes recent advances and performance insights from systems such as Amazon Braket, IBM Quantum, and Azure Quantum, while critically analyzing algorithmic trends like variational quantum circuits and quantum kernel methods. It further explores challenges including circuit depth limitations, latency in hybrid models, and standardization barriers across toolchains. By consolidating current research and implementation patterns, this review aims to inform the design and future trajectory of scalable, cloud-native quantum AI applications.
Abstract Quantum computing is one of the most advanced technologies of the 21st century that, by utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics, provides the ability to process complex problems in much less time than classical systems. However, access to quantum hardware is limited for most researchers and organizations due to high cost and technical challenges. Quantum Cloud Computing provides a new solution for remote access to this advanced computing power. This article reviews the fundamental concepts of quantum computing and its hybrid model with cloud computing, and analyzes existing architectures, infrastructures, benefits, and challenges. It also reviews active platforms such as IBM Quantum Experience, Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum, and Google Quantum AI. It then discusses practical applications such as optimization, cryptography, chemical simulation, and quantum machine learning in the cloud. Challenges such as quantum noise, qubit limitations, security issues, and the need for standardization are also analyzed. The article concludes by examining the future of quantum computing in cloud environments, providing a summary table of key topics and up-to-date resources.
The convergence of quantum computing and cloud platforms represents a significant paradigm shift in the landscape of digital services, creating unprecedented opportunities for technological advancement. This article provides an extensive review of this integration, examining its technological underpinnings, the current state of commercial and public-sector services, emerging applications, and the persistent challenges that define its developmental trajectory. By synthesizing recent academic literature, detailed industry reports, and policy analyses, we explore the transition from theoretical concepts to practical, accessible quantum systems. We detail the progress made in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, marked by significant hardware advancements from leaders like IBM and Google, and the development of crucial error mitigation techniques that extend the utility of current processors. Key findings indicate that cloud access is the primary mechanism for democratizing quantum resources, accelerating research, and enabling the exploration of high-value use cases in sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Furthermore, we investigate the growing adoption by non-profit organizations to tackle complex social and environmental challenges. However, substantial hurdles related to quantum decoherence, hardware scalability, software architecture, and the quantum-classical interface remain. The discussion contextualizes these findings, highlighting the strategic importance of national policies, the industry's push towards fault-tolerant systems, and the long-term vision of hybrid quantum-classical supercomputing. We conclude that while the path to achieving full-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing is long and complex, its integration with cloud infrastructure is the critical catalyst, paving the way for a new frontier in computational capability and societal problem-solving.