IBM Launches its Second Quantum Data Center in Europe

IBM’s quantum data centers jump the pond. The Blue Giant has opened its first Quantum Data Center outside the United States.

Located in the German town of Ehningen, it is the second facility of its kind to be made available by IBM worldwide. It expands its fleet of advanced utility-scale systems, with access via the cloud.

These machines are capable of performing computations that far exceed the capabilities of classical computers.

IBM wants to bring useful quantum computing to more people, making it possible to increase the complexity of algorithms that users explore on real hardware.

Already operational, the European IBM Quantum Data Center has two commercial-scale systems based on IBM Quantum Eagle and will soon add another based on IBM Quantum Heron.

Heron is the American company’s most powerful quantum chip. It offers around sixteen times the performance and twenty-five times the speed of previous quantum offerings.

When the system based on this technology becomes available it will become the third IBM Heron installed in the IBM fleet to which a network of more than 250 companies, research centers and universities can be linked.

‘The opening of our first IBM Quantum Data Center in Europe represents a crucial milestone for the technological advancement of the region,’ said Ana Paula Assis, president of IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

‘It reflects our commitment to Europe and underscores the importance of collaboration with industry, academia and policy makers to build a pan-European quantum ecosystem,’ she says.

‘This state-of-the-art facility will foster innovation around quantum computing,’ he says, ’creating new opportunities for attracting talent and ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of global technological advances.’

Joining Ana Paula Assis at the center’s inauguration were IBM president Arvind Krishna, IBM Research director Dario Gil and IBM Quantum vice president Jay Gambetta.

There was also government representation, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who commented that ‘this center will serve as a location for innovation and business growth’.

‘IBM is enriching the German quantum computing landscape with this new data center,’ added the German politician.

Also present were senior officials from companies based in the Old Continent such as Crédit Mutuel, Bosch, E.ON or Volkswagen Group and representatives of institutions such as the University of the Basque Country and the German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, which are part of the IBM Quantum Network.

These entities will now be able to access the IBM Quantum Data Center systems in Europe to work with quantum computing algorithms and applications.