Is Israel on the verge of taking the lead in quantum computing?
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Alaina
- . December 29, 2022
- . Update: December 29, 2022 7:55 pm
I’m speaking for myself when I say that those of us who aren’t Einsteins don’t really understand what “quantum computing” entails. It’s okay that way.
Most of us won’t upgrade to quantum computers that calculate in qubits for a while; instead, we’ll continue to use traditional computers that calculate in binary bits (either zeroes or ones) (any combination of zeroes and ones simultaneously).
But more and more, people working in fields like supply-chain logistics, economics, weather forecasting, and drug discovery — to name just a few — require the ability of quantum computing to process enormous amounts of data quickly and find answers to challenging questions that neither conventional computers nor supercomputers can handle.
Experts tell ISRAEL21c that Israel has the potential to dominate quantum computing due to its well-deserved reputation for technical strength and creative problem-solving.
We will first need to catch up to the major three in quantum computing—the United States, Canada, and China—because we entered the race late.
According to Aviv Zeevi, vice president and director of the Israel Innovation Authority’s Technology Infrastructure Division, “We are establishing an industry that didn’t exist four or five years ago.”
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According to Zeevi, “the market truly believes in this” because “about 30 Israeli quantum computing startups were funded in the last three to four years, and several raised quite a bit of money.”
“Present processors are at their limit. For AI and the development of novel materials and gadgets, there are greater data and processing requirements.
Through its membership in QuantERA, a network of 39 public organisations from 31 countries supporting research and innovation in quantum technology, the IIA is providing money for eight projects.
Zeevi tells ISRAEL21c that “quantum computing R&D is still quite risky.” It necessitates significant equipment expenditure. We don’t yet know which of the many technologies that could underpin quantum computing will be crucial.
Given these unknowns, the IIA has set aside $29 million to build an Israeli Quantum Computing Center (QCC) during the following three years, which will have a variety of processing technologies available for use by businesspeople and academics.
“Israeli companies will construct the QCC in cooperation with researchers from the last 20 years in academia. The attainment of supremacy is our goal, adds Zeevi. The QCC is not placing all of its technology eggs in one basket, unlike Google and IBM.
Yoel Knoll, VP of Marketing at Tel Aviv-based Quantum Machines, a partner in the QCC alongside Elbit Systems and Classiq (Israel), ParTec (Germany), QuantWare (Netherlands), ORCA Computing (UK), ColdQuanta, and Super.tech, claims that it will be a first of its kind in the world (US).
According to Knoll, it will be the first time a quantum computing facility houses a wide range of distinct platforms.
Since its launch in May 2018, Quantum Machines has grown to be the largest startup in its sector in Israel with 130 employees. It is also the sole manufacturer of quantum control systems.
Knoll notes that while quantum computers’ processors are like powerful muscles with a lot of potentials, they are ineffective without the quantum control system.
