GPUs Transformed AI. Now They’re Here For Quantum.

livemint.com:

While quantum hardware remains immature, companies say they found another way to put complex quantum algorithms to work: running them on the same chips used for powering artificial intelligence. This process, known as simulation, has in recent years received a boost from the growing scale of computing power that graphics-processing units and other advanced chips offer. “Nobody thought this was possible," said Jack Hidary, CEO of quantum software company Sandbox AQ, which spun off from Google in 2022.

“We don’t have to wait for a quantum computer. We’re not using a quantum computer, but we’re using quantum equations, quantum software on GPUs. And that’s a big breakthrough." GPUs are specialized chips designed to support the heavy load of training and running AI algorithms.

Their key role in supporting generative AI propelled GPU maker Nvidia to a trillion dollar valuation earlier this year, although other companies, including Amazon and Google, also make specialized AI chips. Quantum algorithms are well suited to GPUs thanks to their ability to handle dense math and high bandwidth memory, among other things, said Nvidia’s Director of HPC & Quantum Computing Timothy Costa. “It’s a workload which is a great fit for GPUs for the same reasons that AI is a great fit for GPUs," he said.