IonQ Partners with KISTI, NVIDIA to Build Quantum-HPC Hybrid Infrastructure in South Korea

Event summary

  • IonQ, KISTI, and NVIDIA have signed an MOU to jointly develop quantum-high performance computing (HPC) hybrid technologies in South Korea.
  • The collaboration will leverage NVIDIA NVQLink to integrate IonQ’s quantum hardware with KISTI’s HPC infrastructure.
  • Key initiatives include joint research on quantum algorithm simulation, AI model development for quantum technologies, and talent development.
  • The MOU aims to establish a phased approach to integrating quantum and classical computing resources, with a focus on applications like logistics, chemistry, and materials science.
  • IonQ achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity in 2025, a reported world record.

The big picture

This partnership represents a strategic move by IonQ to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and diversify its revenue streams beyond Western markets. South Korea’s significant investment in HPC and its ambition to become a quantum leader creates a fertile ground for IonQ’s hybrid quantum-classical solutions. The collaboration also highlights the growing recognition of hybrid architectures as a near-term pathway to realizing practical quantum computing capabilities, rather than relying solely on fault-tolerant quantum computers.

What we're watching

Regional Adoption
The success of this collaboration will hinge on KISTI’s ability to effectively integrate IonQ’s technology into its existing infrastructure and drive adoption amongst South Korean researchers and enterprises.
NVQLink Scalability
The performance of NVIDIA’s NVQLink architecture will be critical in enabling seamless communication and data transfer between quantum and classical systems, potentially limiting the scope of hybrid applications.
AI Integration
The development of AI models to accelerate quantum technologies will determine the extent to which this partnership can unlock practical applications and demonstrate tangible value beyond research.

Related topics

Technology Quantum Computing