PINQ² will become the sole operator of IBM's first Quantum System One in Canada, enabled by a utility quantum processor. PINQ² will be able to offer researchers and its clients the opportunity to explore solutions to meet the challenges surrounding sustainable development in Quebec, Canada and on a global scale and also focus on optimization in areas such as finance.
July 10, 2023
IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the Quebec Digital and Quantum Innovation Platform (PINQ²) have begun deploying the first IBM Quantum System One in Canada, as part of their partnership to accelerate quantum computing research in Quebec. Installation of the 127-qubit utility system is expected to be completed before the end of this year and the system aims to accelerate the adoption of quantum by Quebec companies in order to offer solutions to problems that prove complex for classical computers.
PINQ² will be the exclusive operator of the quantum computer and this collaboration will strengthen Quebec's ambition to position itself as a world leader in quantum technologies. Through this partnership, PINQ² wants to contribute to the development of Quebec's world-renowned innovation ecosystem, promote talent training, facilitate scientific research and support companies in their adoption of quantum computing. As a partner of DistriQ, Quebec's quantum innovation zone, PINQ² consolidates its position as a quantum platform, thus strengthening its computing capabilities to support innovation at the service of its members.
As part of this partnership, PINQ² and IBM are establishing in Quebec a global research center for quantum solutions around the challenges of sustainable development and optimization in different fields including finance.
With the computing power of the IBM Quantum System One, PINQ² intends to study the world's most complex sustainability challenges. This collaboration follows the February 2022 announcement, announcing the partnership between IBM and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Quebec (MEIE) which had confirmed Quebec's desire to become a leader a world leader in the field of quantum computing research.
“Quantum computing is the next technological revolution and our partnership with IBM will position Quebec at the forefront of this revolution. This collaboration will not only foster cutting-edge scientific research, but will also enable businesses to grow, drive innovation and provide solutions to global challenges in areas such as sustainability and optimization in general. With access to IBM Quantum System One and major partnerships, PINQ² is strengthening its role as a quantum platform on the global stage. Together, we will stimulate innovation and competitiveness and create a better future for Quebec,” declared Éric Capelle, general director of PINQ².
As an IBM Center for Quantum Computing, PINQ² will be able to offer educational establishments, businesses and organizations in Quebec, Canada and around the world access, via cloud computing, to the system managed by IBM in order to carry out their own research.
About the IBM Quantum System ONE
Quantum computing is an emerging technology that exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to solve certain problems that today's most powerful supercomputers cannot practically solve.
IBM Quantum System One is the first integrated quantum system with a compact design optimized for stability, reliability and continuous use. It has been deployed in several locations around the world, including Germany, Japan, the United States and soon Canada. Its 127-qubit utility processor will deliver improved coherence times and lower error rates than IBM's previous quantum systems.
“More and more organizations around the world are starting to explore the potential impacts of quantum on their industry and business. By deploying an IBM Quantum System One in Quebec, PINQ² will play an important role in providing access to quantum computing to an even broader ecosystem. Our IBM team is excited to support PINQ² and its Quantum Computing Center members in their research into a utility system — from which quantum computers could serve as scientific tools to explore a new class of problems,” said Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and vice president of IBM Quantum.
About PINQ²
PINQ² is a non-profit organization founded in 2021 by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Quebec (MEIE) and the University of Sherbrooke. The role of PINQ² is to help companies accelerate their digital transformation with a service offering based on a hybrid-quantum high-performance computing infrastructure, aligned with industrial standards.
The main mission of PINQ² is an integral part of Quebec's innovation strategy: helping to establish better collaboration between scientists, businesses and organizations in Quebec and across Canada and finding, more quickly, better solutions to the world's most complex challenges. The organization's vision is to become an accelerator of digital innovation for Quebec companies in the priority but not exclusive areas of environment, energy, finance and health. Its added value is to offer a hybrid class quantum environment, close to industrial standards, secure as well as a simple and fluid user experience. With this approach, PINQ² helps companies assess how digital and quantum technologies can improve their existing processes.
One of PINQ²'s priorities is to find and attract talent to be able to support companies, transfer know-how to them and help them prepare for future demand. PINQ² has equipped itself with internal scientific expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum cryptography to support and equip Quebec companies to form their own development force to take advantage of this new technological advance. As a virtual innovation platform, access to PINQ² services can be supported by provincial and federal grant programs through three progressive and cumulative formulas: discovery, innovation and advantage, all supported by a team of dedicated experts.
About IBM
IBM is a global leader in hybrid cloud computing, AI and consulting. The company helps customers in more than 175 countries leverage the insights within their data, streamline their business processes, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage in their industries.
Nearly 4,000 government and commercial entities in critical infrastructure areas, such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare, depend on IBM and Red Hat OpenShift's hybrid cloud platform to quickly, efficiently support and securely their digital transformations. IBM's groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, industry cloud solutions and consulting are open and flexible options available to its clients. All this is supported by IBM's legendary reputation for trust, transparency, accountability and the inclusiveness of its services.
For more information, please visit www.ibm.com.
Contact IBM
Lorraine Baldwin
Senior Director of Communications
lorraine@ca.ibm.com
(778) 230-5600