University computer centres look into the future of data processing

For several years now, a clear trend has been emerging in supercomputing: modern computer systems are becoming increasingly heterogeneous.

In addition to traditional CPUs, supercomputers today already rely heavily on GPUs, which are used for AI applications and traditional simulation applications. The integration of quantum systems and other processors will lead to further differentiation in high-performance computing.

It goes without saying that this development is a matter of interest to experts, including the members of the ZKI, the German association of Higher Education IT centers and public funded research organisations. Since 1993, the association, in which the LRZ is active, has been promoting the exchange of experience among its member institutions and representing their interests externally. In keeping with the quantum year 2025, the ZKI Autumn Conference 2025 focused on novel computer technologies, in particular quantum computing.

As the LRZ has been consistently expanding its strategy and offerings in the field of quantum computing for some time now, the scientific computing centre was a fitting venue for this year's conference. From 9 to 11 September 2025, around 250 conference participants and almost 40 exhibitors gathered at the LRZ in Garching and the nearby Science Congress Centre to discuss the interaction between bits and qubits.

A six-member team from the LRZ was responsible for organising the event under the umbrella of the ZKI. In addition to keynote speeches, guided tours of the computer cube and demonstrations in the Centre for Virtual Reality, various working group meetings were held, enabling members to discuss specific topics and define measures.

Experts from the LRZ and other institutions reported on the challenges posed by the integration of quantum computers into high-performance computing, but also on the opportunities for science and research. In the end, there was widespread agreement that quantum computing will be an essential part of the future of scientific high-performance computing.