Quantum AI specialist QAI, led by CEO Se-man Lim, said on Thursday it signed a contract with full-stack quantum technology company SDT to build a hybrid quantum computing system and purchased a 20-qubit superconducting quantum computer (KREO SC-20).

QAI will work with DCP to install the system at an AI data center in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. It will begin full-scale commercial hybrid quantum computing services from the first quarter of 2026. QAI will build the system using a hybrid approach that combines a quantum processing unit (QPU) with existing CPUs and GPUs to boost efficiency in specific computations such as optimisation and simulation.

QAI presented a blueprint to build a four-way hybrid model combining CPU, GPU, domestically made NPU (neural processing unit) and QPU. It aims to overcome the limits of existing data centers with high-power and high-cost structures and complete a Korean-style 'sovereign AI' infrastructure.

The system QAI is introducing will apply SDT's full-stack technology from hardware to software and the cloud platform.

SDT CEO Ji-won Yoon said expanding quantum computing requires not only strong technological capabilities but also a powerful infrastructure partner to support them. He said the partnership with QAI, which has outstanding capabilities in large-scale GPU clusters and AI supercomputing, is very meaningful. Yoon said the contract would not only be an important turning point in expanding the domestic quantum infrastructure ecosystem, but would also be regarded as a leading example that is rare even in the global market. He said the two companies will accelerate overseas market entry and business expansion through quantum-AI hybrid technology and create strong synergy.