Federated HPC, Cloud, AI and Quantum as Digital Future infrastructures at PCSS

The rapid convergence of HPC, AI, cloud, and now quantum technologies is reshaping Europe’s digital infrastructure landscape. The Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) presents an integrated approach to building federated, secure, and scalable next-generation e-infrastructures that combine HPC, AI, data, and quantum ecosystems for science, industry, and public services. PCSS operates Poland’s national PIONIER Research and Education Network and actively contributes to the pan-European GÉANT ecosystem, enabling secure, low-latency, and hyperconnected digital services across Europe. Through extensive participation in Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe Programme initiatives, PCSS has developed advanced experimental testbeds supporting academia, industry, startups, and public-sector stakeholders. Co-design activities, including living labs, hackathons, and dual-use testbeds, help align digital infrastructures with real-world application needs and accelerate innovation uptake. A key pillar of this strategy is the development of federated infrastructures integrating EuroHPC systems, AI Factories, cloud services, and emerging quantum platforms. Strategic co-investments by EuroHPC JU and Poland enabled the deployment of the first trapped-ion EuroHPC quantum system, PIAST-Q, alongside the new AI Factory initiative, PIAST-AI. These infrastructures are being integrated into distributed and standards-based European HPC–AI–Quantum ecosystems to support hybrid workflows and seamless cross-border access for researchers and startups. PCSS also coordinates advanced quantum communication infrastructures. Since June 2024, the operational PIONIER-Q network has provided more than 1,770 km of dedicated Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) links, making it the largest QKD network in Europe. New cross-border QKD links accepted within EuroQCI further strengthen secure European digital connectivity. Additional activities include experimentation with optical clocks, satellite quantum communication, fiber sensing, and precise time- and frequency-signal distribution. Data interoperability and trusted collaboration are addressed through Poland’s National Data Storage System, integrated with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). The platform enables standards-based secure data sharing, federated authentication, and scalable cross-border scientific collaboration. This presentation discusses how federated HPC, cloud, AI, and quantum infrastructures at PCSS contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty while supporting innovation ecosystems, skills development, and next-generation digital services for science and industry.