Rumors suggest that Alibaba Group’s DAMO Academy has shuttered its Quantum Lab. Alibaba denied rumors of its Quantum Laboratory’s closure, announcing its donation to Zhejiang University. The lab and its quantum experimental equipment will also be available to other universities and research institutions.

The Academy did not comment on staff arrangements. Alibaba began quantum computing research in 2013, and in 2015, partnered with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to establish a joint quantum computing lab. The lab’s research plan anticipates a quantum computing prototype with 50-100 quantum bits by 2030. The DAMO Academy, established in 2017, explores unknown fields in science and technology. According to other reports, the headcount loss appears to be around 30.

Alibaba Group’s DAMO Academy Donates Quantum Laboratory to Zhejiang University

Alibaba Group’s DAMO Academy has announced that it will donate its Quantum Laboratory and transferable quantum experimental equipment to Zhejiang University. The kit will also be made available for use by other universities and research institutions. This move comes in response to recent rumors about the closure of the Quantum Laboratory. However, the DAMO Academy has not provided any explicit information regarding the future of the Quantum Laboratory’s personnel.

Previously, there were speculations that the Quantum Laboratory might have been disbanded due to budget and profitability reasons, and its employees laid off. Reports suggest that many members of the laboratory have moved to other companies.

Alibaba’s History in Quantum Computing Research

Alibaba began its research on quantum computing as early as 2013. In 2015, Alibaba Cloud and the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly announced the establishment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences – Alibaba Quantum Computing Laboratory. This joint venture combined Alibaba Cloud’s classical computing algorithms, architecture and cloud computing technology with the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ quantum computing and simulation, quantum artificial intelligence technology. The aim was to carry out forward-looking research in the field of quantum information science and develop quantum computers.

Future Plans for Quantum Computing

According to the research plan of the joint laboratory, it was expected that by 2025, quantum simulation would reach the level of Tianhe-2 – a supercomputer located in Guangzhou, China. The simulation would then be applied to solving major scientific and technological problems that cannot be solved at present. By 2030, a general quantum computing prototype with 50-100 quantum bits is expected to be developed. This would break through the chip technology of large-scale quantum computers, from physical layer design and manufacturing to algorithm operation, to achieve independent research and development.

DAMO Academy’s Role in Technological Advancements

The DAMO Academy was established in October 2017, with a commitment to exploring unknown fields in science and technology. It has made a series of technological breakthroughs in the field of digital technology and achieved large-scale applications. The academy has built a comprehensive artificial intelligence capability, launched large models, and incubated companies like Pingtouge Semiconductor.

Impact on Quantum Computing Research

The donation of the Quantum Laboratory to Zhejiang University could have significant implications for the future of quantum computing research. With the transfer of the laboratory and its equipment, other universities and research institutions will have the opportunity to further their own research in this field. However, the lack of information regarding the future of the Quantum Laboratory’s personnel raises questions about the continuity of the research and development in this area.

Summary

Alibaba Group’s DAMO Academy is donating its Quantum Laboratory and quantum experimental equipment to Zhejiang University, and making them available for use by other universities and research institutions. This follows rumours of the laboratory’s closure due to budget and profitability issues, and the departure of many of its staff to other companies.

• Alibaba Group’s DAMO Academy has announced it will donate its Quantum Laboratory and associated equipment to Zhejiang University, and make it available for use by other universities and research institutions.
• This follows rumours that the Quantum Laboratory was being disbanded due to budget and profitability issues, with staff reportedly moving to other companies.
• Alibaba began research into quantum computing in 2013, and in 2015, in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established the Chinese Academy of Sciences – Alibaba Quantum Computing Laboratory.
• The joint laboratory aimed to develop a general quantum computing prototype with 50-100 quantum bits by 2030, to be used in solving major practical problems such as big data processing.
• The DAMO Academy, established in October 2017, has made significant technological breakthroughs in the field of digital technology, including the development of comprehensive artificial intelligence capabilities and the incubation of companies like Pingtouge Semiconductor.