Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan predicts that quantum computers will, in certain use cases, operate alongside traditional CPUs and GPUs—creating a third processor class. He made the comments at the .conf26 conference in Denver, hosted by Splunk.

What the Intel CEO Said

“GPU, CPU, and quantum computing—they’re all forms of computation. In some application areas, they’ll work together, and you’ll be able to leverage quantum systems much more efficiently,” Tan told the audience. He described quantum computers as a “third class of processors” that will complement CPUs and GPUs in specific applications.

The Role of CPUs and GPUs in This Model

According to Lip-Bu Tan, GPUs kicked off the AI training era, while CPUs powered the inference era in data centers. In the coming “quantum era,” he believes both GPUs and CPUs will team up with quantum systems.

Conference Context

Tan’s talk took place at .conf26 in Denver. The event was organized by Splunk.