HPCQC Initiatives in and for Europe – Where is Hybrid Quantum-HPC Headed?

In recent years, Quantum Computing (QC) systems has gradually matured and started to migrate from laboratories into data centers with the intent to merge into the HPC ecosystem and to provide acceleration capabilities for particular workloads. Currently, several parallel efforts drive this process within the European ecosystem. In this BoF, we bring together representatives of the five most important initiatives defining and supporting Europe’s leading efforts for HPCQC integration to discuss their approaches and perspectives: The EuroHPC JU has recently awarded six European hosting sites, with more planned, to seat quantum computers with the express intent to develop and provide hybrid HPC-QC instruments. Horizon Europe, an additional European Commission instrument, has developed a large portfolio of research projects, including the Quantum Flagship. The Quantum Flagship is responsible for preparing a recent version of the Strategic Research and Industry Agenda (SRIA) document. The European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC) coordinates European Quantum companies and European industry striving to boost their global competitiveness through the use of quantum technologies. Finally, the European Quantum Systems and Software Summit, EQS3, a series of community building and aligning events, strives to unite quantum and HPC practitioners at a deep technical level around hybrid quantum-HPC integration and at many levels in the data center environment. This BoF brings together representatives from all five initiatives for a conversation on their respective motivations, status, and plans, followed by a discussion with the HPC community, especially the targeted European user community in the audience.