Lockheed Martin Joins Xanadu in Advancing Foundational Quantum Machine Learning Theory

Lockheed Martin is collaborating with Xanadu to further the foundational theory and practical applications of Quantum Machine Learning (QML). The global defense and technology company will work alongside Xanadu, a leader in quantum computing software and hardware, to explore how quantum computers can enhance generative models—machine learning techniques used in areas like artificial intelligence. This research will specifically focus on leveraging Fourier-based operations inaccessible to classical methods, potentially unlocking advancements in defense, finance, and pharmaceutical experiment design. “This work is about rethinking the foundations of how quantum computers can learn,” said Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu. “By revisiting core quantum primitives, we hope to uncover entirely new ways of representing and processing data.”

Xanadu and Lockheed Martin Advance Quantum Machine Learning Theory

Quantum machine learning research received a boost as Xanadu and Lockheed Martin initiated a collaborative effort to fundamentally rethink how quantum computers learn, focusing on generative models—techniques crucial to modern artificial intelligence but often hampered by data scarcity and energy demands. Lockheed Martin’s involvement stems from its active exploration of quantum technologies with the potential to reshape computation and sensing capabilities, with this collaboration designed to expand understanding of how future quantum systems might bolster national security and technological advancement. Founded in 2016, Xanadu also leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development.

Fourier-Based Operations Expand Generative Model Potential

Generative models, the engine behind many current artificial intelligence advancements including large language models, often require substantial data and energy, and falter when data is limited—a challenge that Xanadu and Lockheed Martin are addressing through a new research initiative. The collaboration intends to investigate how quantum computers can utilize Fourier-based operations, a computational approach inaccessible to conventional machine learning, potentially unlocking applications in sectors like defense, finance, and pharmaceuticals through the design of complex experiments. This pursuit builds on Xanadu’s existing quantum computing research, aiming to move beyond theoretical possibilities toward practical applications across diverse industries. Lockheed Martin’s involvement brings valuable domain expertise to the project, facilitating the exploration of how these quantum techniques might support national security and the development of advanced technologies. The initiative seeks to overcome limitations inherent in classical machine learning, particularly in data-scarce environments, by leveraging the unique capabilities of quantum computation.