Xanadu, a leading company in photonic quantum computing, has partnered with South Carolina Quantum (SC Quantum), a non-profit organization, to develop educational materials and cultivate a quantum-smart workforce in South Carolina. The partnership aims to expand quantum education and research across the Southeast United States.
Xanadu’s open-source software framework, PennyLane, will be a key component of this partnership, enabling researchers to design and develop next-generation quantum algorithms. The collaboration is part of Xanadu’s long-term vision to support quantum education and research in the US.
Quantum Education and Workforce Development: Xanadu and SC Quantum Partnership
Xanadu, a company specializing in photonic quantum computing, has joined forces with South Carolina Quantum (SC Quantum), a non-profit organization focused on fostering a sustainable quantum ecosystem. The collaboration aims to develop practical educational materials and cultivate a quantum-literate workforce in South Carolina.
Xanadu’s primary objective is to make quantum computers accessible and beneficial to people globally. In 2022, the company decided to collaborate with academic institutions and organizations emphasizing quantum education to help create a worldwide quantum computing workforce. As part of its long-term plan to support quantum education and research in the US, Xanadu expanded its operations by establishing a dedicated US entity in March 2024.
SC Quantum: Accelerating Quantum Ecosystem through Education
SC Quantum’s mission is to expedite the development of a quantum ecosystem by promoting quantum education across all educational levels. This initiative aims to inspire a professional quantum-literate workforce, create an environment conducive to innovation and opportunity for entrepreneurs, and engage with industry and tech to bring real-world, complex problems for research opportunities. These efforts are designed to challenge students’ critical thinking and provide access to quantum technology.
Christian Weedbrook, Xanadu Founder and CEO, expressed his excitement about the partnership with SC Quantum. He emphasized the rapid growth of the quantum field and the need for the next generation to be highly skilled in various tools and approaches.
PennyLane: A Pillar of the Xanadu-SC Quantum Partnership
PennyLane, Xanadu’s open-source software framework, will play a crucial role in this partnership. With support from the Xanadu team, researchers in the SC Quantum network will use PennyLane to design and develop next-generation quantum algorithms. These algorithms will be tested on simulators and Xanadu’s photonic quantum hardware. Xanadu’s technology will also serve as a foundation for developing hands-on educational experiences to be integrated into SC Quantum’s growing university network.
Joe Queenan, Executive Director of South Carolina Quantum, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Xanadu. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with renowned quantum companies with advanced technologies to achieve their mission of advancing quantum talent and technology in South Carolina.
About Xanadu and PennyLane
Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the world’s prominent quantum hardware and software companies. The company also leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development. PennyLane is a software framework for quantum machine learning, quantum chemistry, and quantum computing with the ability to run on all hardware.
SC Quantum: Championing Quantum Advancement in South Carolina
South Carolina Quantum (SC Quantum), a 501(c)(3), was established in 2022 in Columbia, South Carolina to champion the advancement of quantum talent and technologies in South Carolina. As a convening organization, it promotes collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and government. After receiving a $15 million grant from the state of South Carolina in 2023, SC Quantum quickly grew interest from partners in South Carolina and the region to further the mission of what is now SC Quantum.
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