Currently, the world is witnessing a rapid advancement of quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize industries ranging from finance and healthcare to logistics and cybersecurity. For instance, with the advent of powerful quantum computers, traditional cryptographic algorithms will become vulnerable to quantum attacks. In response,
businesses will adopt quantum-safe cryptography solutions to protect their sensitive data and communications from quantum threats.
Moreover, quantum-inspired and quantum optimization algorithms will gain traction in the near future as businesses seek to solve complex optimization problems with quantum-inspired approaches. These algorithms leverage principles from quantum computing to address combinatorial optimization challenges, such as route optimization, portfolio optimization, job shop scheduling, and resource allocation. Already as of today it is possible to witness the first hints of business advantage in complex optimization with a handful of use cases around the world.
Another field is quantum sensing technologies, which will enable businesses to achieve unprecedented levels of sensitivity and precision in measurement and detection applications. Businesses will leverage quantum sensors for applications such as environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and mineral exploration.
Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning) can enhance Quantum Computing and vice-versa
Quantum computing intersects with machine learning, enabling businesses to leverage quantum algorithms for pattern recognition, optimization, and predictive analytics. Quantum machine learning algorithms have the potential to unlock new insights from large datasets, accelerate model training processes, and enable more accurate predictions in various domains. Business owners should explore the integration of quantum machine learning into their data analytics and decision-making workflows to drive innovation and competitive advantage.
In the current noisy-intermediate scale quantum computers (NISQ), where the quantum hardware is still limited to a handful of qubits which are not error-corrected yet, the most important focus areas are quantum for AI and AI for quantum as illustrated in the data-vs-model matrix below.
Switzerland is following a global quantum trend
The Swiss Quantum Commission, beginning in 2023, is a new national body tasked with implementing the Swiss Quantum Initiative (SQI), which aims to solidify Switzerland’s position among leading nations in quantum research and innovation. Hosted by the Swiss Academy of Sciences, the Commission is composed of leading quantum researchers from major Swiss institutions. It is tasked with defining research calls, coordinating infrastructure, developing curricula, and strengthening international partnerships. The budget for the SQI is targeted to be 80’000’000 CHF for the next four years.
Switzerland has internal quantum computational resources
QuantumBasel, the Swiss competence center for quantum computing and artificial intelligence, and uptownBasel, the international competence center for Industry 4.0, put the first physical, commercial quantum computer into operation in Switzerland at the uptownBasel campus in Arlesheim by Basel on December 5th, 2024. This is the first trapped-ion quantum computer that has been delivered and optimized for data centers to be operated outside the USA by IonQ, the partnering company delivering the quantum hardware for QuantumBasel.
The IonQ computer is an ion trap-based Forte Enterprise machine that can scale to a record of 36 algorithmic qubits operating ytterbium ions. With very high one- and two-qubit gate fidelities it also operates with an all-to-all connectivity between all the qubits. QuantumBasel is also a neutral hub that provides cloud access to IBM superconducting-qubit quantum computers and D-Wave quantum annealing systems.
Academic leader:
Dr. Pavel Sulimov, ZHAW, pavel.sulimov@zhaw.ch
Industry leader:
Dr. Andrea Abelli, Postfinance, andrea.abelli@postfinance.ch