According to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan aims to develop its first homegrown quantum computer by 2027. The NSTC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Academia Sinica, and other research organizations, is working on a five-year, $258.86 million quantum technology plan to build a Taiwan Quantum Computer, as reported in the Tapei Times.
Luo Meng-fan, head of the NSTC’s Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Development, highlighted the potential of quantum computing but noted the technology still faces high error rates and requires further research. Taiwanese researchers are also in talks with Finnish quantum computing company IQM to establish testing platforms in Taiwan.
“Quantum computing is the most anticipated next-stage development for raw computational power,”
Luo Meng-fan, head of the NSTC’s Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Development.
Taiwan’s Quantum Computing Ambitions
Taiwan is aiming to produce its first domestically developed quantum computer by 2027, according to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). Quantum computing is seen as the next significant leap in computational power, and Taiwan is keen to establish a foothold in this emerging industry. The NSTC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Academia Sinica, and other research organizations, is working on a five-year, NT$8 billion (US$258.86 million) quantum technology plan that began in 2022.
Quantum Computing’s Potential and Challenges
Quantum computing’s potential is immense, as demonstrated by a Google study published in July last year. The study showed that a task that would have taken a classical supercomputer 47 years to complete was finished in just 6.18 seconds on the latest version of its Sycamore processor, which had been boosted to 70 qubits. Although the algorithm had no real-world purpose. Quantum computers are still affected by high error rates, and the technology needs another six years of research and development to reach maturity when it could make a global impact.
With the advent of quantum computing, security experts have warned of a day — dubbed “Q Day” — when quantum computers will be able to crack codes protecting digital data. To counter such development, measures such as quantum cryptography, including quantum key distribution, are being considered.
“With such powerful computational capabilities, security experts have warned that one day — dubbed “Q Day” — quantum computers would be able to crack codes protecting digital data,”
Luo Meng-fan.
Taiwan’s Quantum Computing Strategy
The NSTC’s collaboration with academia and other sectors aims to develop the component supply chain for building quantum computers and shorten the time necessary when transitioning the supply chain for commercial purposes. Taiwanese researchers are also in talks with Finnish quantum computing hardware company IQM to establish testing platforms in Taiwan.
Four cloud software computational platforms are utilizing the quantum cloud computation services offered by IBM, Amazon, and other international companies. Academia Sinica is set to provide some of its newly developed 5-qubit chips for trials at research facilities later this month.
Quantum Chipset Development in Taiwan
Taiwan has only started developing quantum chipsets but is closely monitoring increasing chipset yield rates. “Yield rates are key for mass production,” said Lee Chau-hwang, executive secretary of the institute’s Central Academic Advisory Committee. This focus on yield rates indicates Taiwan’s commitment to not only developing quantum computing technology but also producing it at a scale that can have a significant impact.
“That is why it is crucial for Taiwan to develop quantum computers to retain a foothold in critical technologies,”
Luo Meng-fan.
Summary of Taiwan Quantum Computer
Taiwan aims to develop its first domestically produced quantum computer by 2027, with the National Science and Technology Council collaborating with various research organizations on a five-year quantum technology plan. Despite current high error rates in quantum computing, the technology is anticipated to mature within six years, potentially revolutionizing computational power and data security.
- Taiwan plans to develop its first homegrown quantum computer by 2027, according to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), according to an article in the Tapei Times.
- Luo Meng-fan, head of the NSTC’s Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Development, sees quantum computing as the next big leap in computational power.
- The NSTC is collaborating with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Academia Sinica, and other research organizations on a five-year NT$8 billion quantum technology plan that started in 2022.
- A Google study demonstrated the power of quantum computing, with a task that would have taken a classical supercomputer 47 years to complete being finished in just 6.18 seconds on a quantum processor.
- However, Luo warns that quantum computers are still affected by high error rates and estimates that the technology needs another six years of research and development to mature.
- Taiwanese researchers are discussing establishing testing platforms in Taiwan with Finnish quantum computing hardware company IQM.
- Four cloud software computational platforms use the quantum cloud computation services provided by IBM, Amazon, and other international companies.
- Academia Sinica plans to provide some of its newly developed 5-qubit chips for trials at research facilities later this month, says Lee Chau-hwang, executive secretary of the institute’s Central Academic Advisory Committee.
“Yield rates are key for mass production,”
Lee Chau-hwang, executive secretary of the institute’s Central Academic Advisory Committee.