Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has announced a competition to harness the power of quantum computing to tackle pressing societal issues. The prize money is approximately 200 million yen ($1.3 million).
The contest, set to begin in March 2025, invites brainiacs from diverse fields to apply quantum computing to major challenges facing Japanese society, such as natural disasters or the aging population. Participants can register individually or in groups, and will have access to free courses to acquire specialized knowledge of quantum computing if needed.
NEDO hopes to attract untapped geniuses and experts from different fields, including corporate researchers and International Mathematical Olympiad winners. The organization has announced an open call for suggestions on the specific issues that participants will tackle, with a recruitment period until December 13.
Quantum Computing for Societal Impact: A New Competition Emerges
The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has announced a novel competition aimed at harnessing the power of quantum computing to tackle pressing societal issues in Japan. This innovative contest, set to begin in March 2025, offers a substantial prize of approximately 200 million yen ($1.3 million) for bold ideas that leverage quantum computing to address concrete problems facing Japanese society.
The competition is designed to attract diverse participants, including experts from various fields and individuals without prior experience in quantum computing. This inclusive approach fosters innovative solutions by bringing together talent from different backgrounds and disciplines. To facilitate this, NEDO will provide free courses for participants to acquire specialized knowledge of quantum computing before the contest.
Tackling Societal Issues with Quantum Computing
The competition will present three specific societal issues, selected through an open call for suggestions from the public, which participants will aim to solve using quantum computing. These issues are expected to include challenges such as natural disasters or the aging population, which are critical concerns in Japan. By applying quantum computing principles to these problems, participants will be encouraged to think creatively and develop novel solutions that can have a tangible impact on society.
The open call for suggestions on the specific issues to be tackled has already begun and will continue until noon on December 13, 2024. This allows the public to contribute to shaping the competition’s focus areas, ensuring that the most pressing concerns are addressed. The recruitment period for participants without expertise in quantum computing will also run concurrently.
Fostering Innovation through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
NEDO’s initiative is particularly noteworthy due to the talent shortages that have plagued the field of quantum computing. By opening the contest to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including corporate researchers and International Mathematical Olympiad winners, NEDO hopes to tap into untapped genius and expertise. This approach recognizes that innovative solutions often emerge at the intersection of different disciplines and fields.
The competition’s design encourages participants to think outside the box, combining their unique perspectives with quantum computing principles to develop groundbreaking solutions. As a NEDO official noted, “We hope that innovative approaches will come from experts in other fields and undiscovered talents who think outside the box.”
The Road Ahead: Competition Timeline and Judging Criteria
The competition is scheduled to start in March 2025, with the final judging committee meeting in August 2026. Participants can apply individually or in groups, and the winner(s) will receive a prize of 20 million yen or more for each of the three selected societal issues.
NEDO’s website provides detailed information on the contest’s rules, timeline, and judging criteria for those interested in participating or learning more about this innovative competition. As the quantum computing landscape continues to evolve, this competition is poised to make a significant impact by harnessing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to drive meaningful societal change.
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