IBM and the Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec (PINQ²) have partnered to install Canada’s first IBM Quantum System One, a 127-qubit, utility-scale system, to accelerate quantum computing research in Quebec. PINQ², a non-profit organization founded by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec and the Université de Sherbrooke, will be the exclusive operator of the quantum computer. The partnership aims to strengthen Quebec’s position as a leader in quantum technologies, foster talent development, drive industry advancement, facilitate scientific research, and support small and medium-sized enterprises on their quantum computing journey. The IBM Quantum System One will be used to explore complex global sustainability challenges and opportunities in financial services.
“More organizations around the world are beginning to explore how quantum could impact their industry and business. By deploying an IBM Quantum System One in Quebec, PINQ² will play an important role in offering access to quantum computing to an even broader ecosystem. Our team at IBM is excited to support PINQ² and their Quantum Computational Center members in their research on a ‘utility-scale’ system — a point at which quantum computers could serve as scientific tools to explore a new scale of problems,”
Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM Quantum.
IBM and PINQ² Collaborate on Quantum Computing Research
IBM and the Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec (PINQ²) have begun the installation of Canada’s first IBM Quantum System One. This partnership aims to accelerate quantum computing research in Quebec. The 127-qubit, utility-scale system is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It will accelerate advanced quantum research into application development to address complex and pressing global challenges.
PINQ², a non-profit organisation founded in 2020 by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE) and the Université de Sherbrooke, will be the exclusive operator of the quantum computer. This collaboration aims to strengthen Quebec’s position in quantum technologies, build and enhance Quebec’s innovation ecosystem, foster talent development, drive industry advancement, facilitate scientific research, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on their quantum computing journey.
Quantum Computing and Sustainability Challenges
With the computing power of the IBM Quantum System One, PINQ² plans to explore complex global sustainability challenges, as well as opportunities in financial services. This collaboration builds upon the Quebec-IBM Discovery Accelerator partnership, announced in February 2022, which further established Quebec’s interest in advancing quantum computing research.
Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve certain problems that today’s most powerful supercomputers cannot practically solve. The IBM Quantum System One is the first integrated quantum system with a compact design optimised for stability, reliability and continuous use.
Access to Quantum Computing for Research
As an IBM Quantum Computational Center, PINQ² will be able to offer academic institutions, companies, and organisations across Quebec, Canada, and globally access via the cloud to the IBM-managed system to conduct their research. This will allow a broader ecosystem to explore how quantum could impact their industry and business.
PINQ² partners with companies to help them accelerate digital transformation, offering a high-performance computing (HPC) platform, artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis, simulation software, and quantum computing. It has been set up with funding from the Government of Quebec and academic and industrial partners.
PINQ²’s main aim reflects the goals of the funders: to help develop better public-private collaboration in Quebec and across Canada between scientists, companies and organisations, and find better solutions to the world’s most complex challenges, faster. The organisation’s vision is to become an accelerator of digital innovation for Quebec companies in the priority but non-exclusive fields of Environment, Energy, Finance and Health.
“Quantum computing is the next technological revolution, and this partnership between IBM and PINQ² will position Quebec at the forefront of this transformative journey. This collaboration will not only foster groundbreaking research and scientific advancements but also empower businesses, fuel innovation, and address global challenges in areas such as financial services and sustainable development. With access to the IBM Quantum System One and our strong collaborations, PINQ² strengthens its role as a quantum laboratory on the global stage. We will drive innovation, enhance competitiveness, and create a brighter future for Quebec,” said Éric Capelle, General Manager of PINQ².
Summary
IBM and the Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec (PINQ²) have begun the installation of Canada’s first IBM Quantum System One, a 127-qubit, utility-scale system, to accelerate quantum computing research in Quebec. The collaboration aims to tackle complex global challenges, particularly in sustainable development and financial services, by leveraging quantum computing power and fostering talent development, scientific research, and industry advancement in Quebec.
- IBM and the Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec (PINQ²) have partnered to install Canada’s first IBM Quantum System One, a 127-qubit, utility-scale system, in Quebec. The system is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
- PINQ², a non-profit organisation founded by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE) and the Université de Sherbrooke, will be the exclusive operator of the quantum computer.
- The partnership aims to strengthen Quebec’s position as a leader in quantum technologies, foster talent development, drive industry advancement, facilitate scientific research, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their quantum computing journey.
- The IBM Quantum System One will be used to explore complex global sustainability challenges and opportunities in financial services.
- As an IBM Quantum Computational Center, PINQ² will offer academic institutions, companies, and organisations across Quebec, Canada, and globally access via the cloud to the IBM-managed system to conduct their research.
- IBM Quantum System One is the first integrated quantum system with a compact design optimised for stability, reliability, and continuous use. It has been deployed in multiple locations worldwide, including Germany, Japan, the US, and soon Canada.
- Éric Capelle, General Manager of PINQ², and Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President, IBM Quantum, have expressed their excitement and optimism about the partnership and the potential of quantum computing.