The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has officially inaugurated the SOL quantum computer and the new LISA artificial intelligence computing partition in Bologna, Italy.

The two systems were unveiled at the DAMA Technopole in Emilia-Romagna during a ceremony hosted by CINECA and the Italian Research Centre on High-Performance Computing, Big Data and Quantum Computing (ICSC).

The launch marks a major investment in Europe’s next-generation computing infrastructure. Both systems are integrated with Leonardo, one of Europe’s flagship pre-exascale supercomputers, and are designed to accelerate advances in quantum computing, AI, scientific research and industrial innovation.

As a result, Europe gains additional computing capacity aimed at strengthening technological sovereignty, supporting cutting-edge research and improving access to advanced digital resources for scientists, businesses and public institutions across the continent.

Anders Jensen, EuroHPC JU Executive Director, believes the two systems will transform Europe’s supercomputing capabilities: “This inauguration shows how Europe continues to turn ambition into capability.

“With SOL, the new EuroHPC quantum computer and LISA, the AI-upgrade to the world-class Leonardo supercomputer, we are further strengthening our sovereign supercomputing ecosystem and giving European users new tools to innovate across AI, HPC and quantum technologies.

“This milestone expands opportunities for research, industry and the public sector, while reinforcing Europe’s technological leadership in strategic supercomputing domains.”

High-profile launch in Bologna

The inauguration brought together senior European and Italian officials, including Italian Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, European Commission Director-General Roberto Viola, and EuroHPC JU representative Daniel Opalka.

The projects were jointly funded by the European Union and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research through ICSC.

Officials described the deployment as another step toward building a globally competitive European computing ecosystem capable of supporting emerging technologies and reducing dependence on non-European infrastructure.

SOL quantum computer adds quantum capability to Leonardo

The newly launched SOL quantum computer is hosted and operated by CINECA and supplied by French quantum computing company Pasqal.

Built using neutral-atom technology, the system leverages arrays of optically trapped atoms controlled by programmable laser interactions.

The name “SOL” reflects both the system’s laser-based architecture and Italy’s cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from classical references to the sun and precision.

The first-generation processor delivers at least 140 qubits operating in analogue mode. A planned 2027 upgrade will introduce hybrid analogue-digital capabilities, expanding the platform’s flexibility and enabling more advanced computing applications.

By integrating quantum resources directly with the Leonardo supercomputer, SOL is expected to support hybrid quantum-classical workflows.

Researchers will be able to explore complex optimisation challenges, quantum many-body physics simulations and emerging machine learning applications that are difficult to solve using conventional computing methods alone.

The system is currently undergoing final calibration and is expected to become available to European users during autumn 2026.

SOL expands Europe’s quantum network

Quantum computing remains an emerging technology, but Europe is rapidly expanding its capabilities through coordinated investments.

The SOL quantum computer represents the sixth quantum system procured under the EuroHPC programme and further expands the continent’s growing quantum infrastructure network.

Unlike traditional computers that process information using binary bits, quantum systems use qubits that can represent multiple states simultaneously.

This approach has the potential to accelerate specific classes of calculations relevant to materials science, pharmaceuticals, logistics, energy systems and advanced AI research.

For European researchers and industry users, SOL offers access to a domestic quantum resource integrated with one of the continent’s most powerful supercomputing environments.

LISA expands Europe’s AI computing capacity

Alongside SOL, EuroHPC also launched LISA, the Leonardo Improved Supercomputing Architecture partition.

Designed specifically for AI workloads, LISA introduces a dedicated AI-focused infrastructure within the Leonardo ecosystem.

The system is engineered to handle the intensive computing, memory and networking demands associated with large language models, generative AI and multimodal AI applications.

The upgrade includes 166 advanced GPU servers comprising a total of 1,328 interconnected graphics processors. This significantly increases Leonardo’s capacity to train and run complex AI models.

LISA is the first EuroHPC computing partition developed from the outset specifically for AI applications, reflecting the growing importance of AI within Europe’s digital strategy.

The platform will also support IT4LIA, Italy’s EuroHPC AI Factory initiative, which aims to strengthen European AI research, innovation and industrial adoption.

LISA is expected to become operational for users during the summer of 2026.

Major European investment in future computing

The procurement contract for the SOL quantum computer was signed with Pasqal in March 2025 following a competitive tender process launched in 2024.

The project carries a total acquisition cost of €13m, with funding split equally between EuroHPC JU and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research through ICSC.

Meanwhile, the LISA deployment represents a significantly larger investment of approximately €50m, covering infrastructure acquisition, installation, operation and support.

EuroHPC has now deployed six quantum computers across Europe, with systems operating in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.

Together, these installations form a growing pan-European quantum computing network designed to provide researchers and businesses with access to advanced computational resources.

With the launch of the SOL quantum computer and LISA, Europe continues to expand its capabilities in two of the most strategically important technology sectors: quantum computing and AI.