September 10, 2026 -- Today, ETH Zurich and IBM announced the deployment of an IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) at the ETH Zurich campus in Lugano, Switzerland. The country’s first IBM Quantum System Two, to be powered by the latest IBM Nighthawk chip, is among the world’s most advanced quantum computers and was made possible through an offset agreement between Lockheed Martin and armasuisse, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement.

ETH President Joël Mesot highlights the opportunities offered by the new quantum computer: “Switzerland is gaining access to essential research infrastructure that will enable us to further advance quantum research and educate future talent.” 

ETH Zurich will coordinate the use of the quantum computer, offering access opportunity to researchers from the ETH Domain as well as from other Swiss universities and selected Swiss companies. “We are pleased to provide ETH Zurich with one of the world’s most advanced quantum computers, in support of their research and industry collaborations, and are looking forward to enabling ETH’s journey to build up the Swiss ecosystem’s quantum skills and thus further drive innovation and research across the country,” says Katharina Göppinger, Country General Manager IBM Switzerland.

ETH Zurich supercomputing centre gets a quantum computer

The new quantum computer will be installed in the same facility that houses CSCS's Alps AI-enabled supercomputer. “Classical computers reach their limits when simulating complex quantum mechanical processes. This is where quantum computing creates new opportunities,” explains Renato Renner, Professor of Theoretical Physics at ETH Zurich. The availability of both systems opens up new horizons in physics and chemistry. In this way, researchers can investigate the behaviour of complex materials, molecules and chemical processes that are difficult to simulate using conventional computers. In the long term, this could lead to advances in the development of new materials, more efficient industrial processes and more energy-efficient technologies. 

New technology requires new talent 

The new quantum computer will also support the training of a new generation of scientists and engineers. “Anyone who wants to programme quantum computers must have a strong command of computer science as well as an understanding of quantum physics,” explains Renato Renner. “Now, direct access to one of the most advanced quantum computers will encourage significantly more students and researchers to engage with this technology.” 

CSCS’s IBM Quantum System Two is expected to enter operation by the end of the year. During the installation process and throughout the duration of the agreement, users at ETH Zurich will also have access to IBM quantum computers and other resources over the cloud. IBM will install, maintain and operate the quantum computer. ETH Zurich and CSCS will provide the technical infrastructure, such as power supply, cooling and security, and will manage the allocation of available computing resources. The collaboration is initially planned through 2029 and is intended to promote research, education and innovation projects in the field of quantum computing. 

In March of this year, ETH Zurich and IBM also announced a ten-year initiative to develop new algorithms at the intersection of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The installation of the new quantum computer further strengthens the significance of this partnership.