The chipmaker NVIDIA held its annual conference in Silicon Valley this week. Among the major announcements: it chose Boston to be the site of its first-ever research center for quantum computing, opening later this year.

In theory, a quantum computer could perform calculations vastly more quickly than today’s conventional computers.

Nvidia, the world's most valuable chipmaker, is coming to Boston. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company said Tuesday it will partner with quantum computing companies, including Boston's QuEra Computing, to create the Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Research Center.