How IBM Quantum Computing Works: QPUs, GPUs and the Road to Fault-Tolerant Quantum Systems

How IBM Quantum Computing Works: QPUs, GPUs and the Road to Fault-Tolerant Quantum Systems

From Thinking On Paper by Mark Fielding and Jeremy Gilbertson

May 6, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

Scott Crowder discusses the integration of quantum and classical computing in supercomputing and its implications for various scientific fields.

Scott Crowder, Vice President of IBM Quantum Adoption, joins Thinking on Paper to explain IBM’s approach to quantum-centric supercomputing. Rather than replacing classical computers, IBM expects quantum processors to work alongside CPUs, GPUs and high-performance computing systems. Each type of hardware handles the parts of a problem it’s best suited to solve. In this episode, we discuss: What quantum-centric supercomputing means How quantum processors, GPUs, CPUs and HPC systems work together IBM’s roadmap towards fault-tolerant quantum computing What IBM Starling is designed to achieve by 2029 How superconducting qubits work Why quantum error correction is essential The role of Qiskit and open-source quantum software Which quantum algorithms could deliver practical value How quantum computing could support chemistry and materials research IBM and Cleveland Clinic’s work on protein simulation IBM’s collaboration with RIKEN How Nvidia GPUs fit into hybrid quantum systems Why accessibility and real-world adoption matter as much as hardware progress Scott explains why useful quantum computing will depend on more than increasing qubit counts. It will require reliable hardware, error…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mark Fielding, Jeremy Gilbertson

Guest: Scott Crowder

Topics covered

  • quantum computing
  • supercomputing
  • IBM Quantum Adoption
  • classical computing
  • material science
  • chemistry
  • biology

Keywords

  • quantum-centric supercomputing
  • IBM
  • superconducting qubits
  • classical computers
  • protein simulation
  • AI GPUs
  • quantum vs classical

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IBM, Cleveland Clinic

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