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The potential security threats from quantum are clear but there seems to be little impetus in Brussels to regulate the technology - for now.

In the last weeks of 2023, the European Commission announced its new Declaration on Quantum Technologies in a bid to put the advanced technology firmly on the bloc's agenda.

The EU's Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton said it was a step toward creating a "Quantum Valley" in Europe.

The joint declaration has so far been endorsed by 11 member states, according to a tweet by Breton, but just eight member states have actually signed it: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and Sweden.

In recent years, the EU has passed several banner pieces of legislation to tackle Big Tech and regulate rapidly developing technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI).

Quantum technology is on the minds of at least some EU policymakers but as the European Parliament elections loom in June and the European Commission enters the final months of its mandate, will it be a priority in 2024?

Quantum computing could have far-reaching effects; there have been decades of research with tech giants like IBM and Google leading the way, but the commercial deployments of quantum computing remain in their infancy.

The potential advancements of the technology have served to underline a need for preparing the ground for the future.

Computers as we know them now process bits of information, ones and zeros, while quantum computers on the other hand calculate qubits, which can be both 1 and 0 at the same time.

In simplest terms, that means quantum computers can carry out multiple calculations simultaneously rather than individually. This means faster computations.

The benefits could mean the rapid development of new drugs while on the flipside, there are dangers. Existing encryption protocols on the Internet could be cracked much quicker with a quantum computer.

The Declaration on Quantum Technologies isn't the first effort of its kind.

In 2018, both the Quantum Technologies Flagship and the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking were established to support quantum computing developments in Europe.

These efforts haven't been lost on industry.

Dr Joe Fitzsimons heads up Horizon Quantum Computing, based in Singapore, and recently established an EU base for the company in Dublin to expand its presence in Europe.

"There's definitely been a reasonable amount of support. There's this Quantum Flagship programme, which has been a big driver in Europe. At the same time, you have Germany investing additional capital in the space, which is certainly giving rise to a wave of spin-offs in Germany".

Looking across Europe, there is a mixed bag of initiatives in member states.

The Netherlands launched its national quantum strategy in 2019 with Quantum Delta NL, established to help quantum research in universities and commercialise it.

Meanwhile, Ireland announced a national quantum strategy last November. However, neither of these countries have signed up to the new declaration.

An Irish government spokesperson told Euronews Next it would consider signing the declaration "following consultations with the quantum community".

Herbert Mangesius is a general partner at investment firm Vsquared Ventures, which has backed European quantum computing start-ups like IQM. He said that there needs to be more coordination in Europe when it comes to quantum tech.

"I wish on a European level we'd really think of what have, where are the strengths in the regions and then really concentrate and not do the same thing in every country," he said.

Each member state pursuing their own strategy won't yield significant results, he said, but rather the efforts "need to be more clustered into regions" based on specialities.

Europe ought to consider how it can contribute to building hardware and quantum computing chips, Mangesius added.

The EU already has the Chips Act to stimulate the semiconductor industry more generally, but these types of efforts need to focus on quantum too, he said.

Ish Dhand leads QC Design, a German start-up developing design software for quantum computers, which is a Vsquared portfolio company. He agrees that partnerships are to Europes advantage if it is to keep up with the US and China in the quantum race.

"In North America and China, there are full stack companies focusing on moonshots, trying to build everything in-house. An [example] here is Intel. They would want to make their own chips and sell full processors in the end," he said.

"Things are different in Europe in that there are much more partnerships and there are many more smaller companies".

While Breton stood front and centre at the announcement of the European Declaration of Quantum Technologies, it remains unclear how quantum will be addressed at a policy level.

"The Commission does not envisage new legislative proposals in quantum technologies before the end of the current mandate," a spokesperson for the Commission told Euronews Next.

In the world of politics, priorities can shift on a whim, especially after an election.

The Dutch quantum strategy, for example, has received 615 million in funding from the Dutch government but following the victory of far-right candidate Geert Wilders in the Netherlands' general election, future funding becomes uncertain.

"The negotiations to form a new government, after the recent elections, started after the Christmas break, the direction and outcome of these negotiations are unclear for now. We expect changes of funding forms and routings coming from the Dutch Government, but its all unclear for now," a spokesperson for Quantum Delta NL said.

For Horizon's Fitzsimons, there are no immediate challenges posed by quantum computing unlike AI that lawmakers in Europe need to quickly address but the time will come eventually.

The chief concern is cybersecurity. While quantum computing promises great breakthroughs in the speed of computation, it presents risks to security.

Existing encryption protocols on the Internet, which guard the likes of encrypted messaging or online banking services, could be broken by superfast quantum computers.

"You need a much more sophisticated quantum computer than we currently have but they're not 100 years away; they're maybe five or 10 years away," Fitzsimons said.

"It's in the foreseeable future, it's something that we need to plan for".

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Is quantum computing the next technology on the EU's regulation agenda? - Euronews

Chinese authorities have reiterated the need for technological breakthroughs in a range of hi-tech areas, including graphics processing units (GPUs), quantum computing, humanoid robots and brain-computer interfaces, in Beijings latest effort to seek control of the industries of the future.

A document issued on Monday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other departments, urges the country to grasp the opportunities of a new round of scientific and technological revolution at a time when the US is doubling down on a small yard, high fence approach to block Chinas access to key technologies.

The US has been ramping up its tech pressure on China. As a result of Washingtons October update of export restrictions for advanced chips, Nvidia is unable to sell its cutting-edge GPUs including some tailor-made for China to comply with previous regulations to the country.

Strong China demand for chip tools bolsters revenue at Lam Research and ASML

The Biden administration will require such firms to reveal foreign customer names and IP addresses, and they will need to devise a budget for collecting those details and report any suspicious activity, according to a draft rule published on Sunday.

The Chinese government is pushing a whole-of-the-nation approach to focus resources on breakthroughs in designated areas. The latest policy document identifies GPUs that can help train large language models and robots that can be used in smart manufacturing and household services.

It also mentions brain-computer interfaces, which Tesla founder Elon Musk has been developing with Neuralink, and which can be applied to medical treatments, autonomous-driving and virtual reality.

The document sets a target of achieving breakthroughs in at least 100 core cutting-edge technologies by 2025 and to become a global leader in certain areas by 2027, although it does not lay down the criteria for assessing progress.

The authorities also promise that China would actively participate in the global division of labour and cooperation and deeply integrate into the global innovation network, adding that the nation encouraged multinational corporations and foreign academic institutes to set up research centres in China.

In terms of industries, China will focus on future manufacturing, future information, future materials, future energy, future space and future health.

In recent years, Beijing has repeatedly urged scientists and companies to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductor supplies. China aims to produce 70 per cent of the chips it uses by 2025.

The new guideline comes hot on the heels of the annual tone-setting central economic work conference in December, when Chinas top leaders set developing industries of the future as a key mission for the year ahead.

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Beijing urges breakthroughs in chips and quantum computing to command future - South China Morning Post

After ChatGPT and Generative AI,quantum computingmay be the field of research to bring about the next technological revolution in the 21st century. Quantum computing has the potential to solve complex problems that normally slow down classical computers, such as optimization, cryptography, machine learning, and simulation. This has led to this list of quantum computing stocks for January 2024.

While this kind of novel technology may still be in its infancy, investors desiring to invest in the up-and-coming technology should consider one of the following three quantum computing stocks with Strong Buy ratings from Wall Street analysts.

Source: Shutterstock

Rigetti Computing(NASDAQ:RGTI) is a pure-play quantum computing business thatisvertically integrated. This simply means the company is involved in both designing and manufacturing its multi-chip quantum processors. Rigetti uses superconducting circuits as qubits, which are fabricated on silicon chips and operate at near-zero temperatures.In order to get deliver its quantum computing capabilities to clients, Rigetti leverages cloud service networks, while also providing quantum software development tools as well as quantum hardware design and manufacturing.

Rigetti Computings financials show robust growth potential, as the companygenerated $13 millionin revenue in 2022, up 46% year-over-year. The quantum computing firms 2023 financials appear on the way to surpass 2022s numbers.RGTIs shares proved volatile in 2023. At one point, RGTI returned more than 200%, but the stock ended the year at only a 35% return. This makes it one of those quantum computing stocks for January 2024.

Wall Street analysts have given the stock a resounding Strong Buy rating, and while shares are only trading at above $1, interested investors should take the chance to buy shares now.

Source: Amin Van / Shutterstock.com

D-Wave Quantum(NYSE:QBTS) is the oldest and most established quantum computing company in the market. The company is the pioneer ofquantum annealing, a computing technique used to find the optimal solution for a given problem. D-Wave Quantum has built several quantum annealers withmore than 5,000 qubits, which allows greater potential for commercial applications.

D-Wave Quantum offers its quantum annealers and software tools through its own cloud platform, called Leap. QBTS also offers a suite of developer tools, called Ocean, which helps users design, develop and deploy quantum applications. The quantum computing company has a diverse customer base, includinggovernment agenciesas well as corporations.

Wall Streetanalysts expectD-Wave to generate more than $10 million in revenue at the end of 2023, which would represent a 47% YoY increase from the prior period. However, shares are down 32% over the past 12 months, so this could be a chance for investors to buy this stock at a lower price, as D-Wave Quantum has a strong competitive advantage in the quantum computing market.

Source: Sergio Photone / Shutterstock.com

Nvidia(NASDAQ:NVDA) was one of the best-performing stocks of 2023, with a staggering gain of more than 240% last year. The chip stock is already off to a great start in 2024, so much so that it could be another record year for Nvidias share price. Shares, thus far, have risen to an all-time high of $563.82/share. The chipmaker has been riding high on the booming demand for its AI solutions, which power some of the most advanced and popular applications in the world, such asOpenAIsChatGPT and other generative AI platforms.

However, Nvidia is also one of the key players in quantum computing, with itsTensor CoreGPUs used to power some of the most advanced quantum simulators and algorithms. Furthermore, Nvidia has developed its own quantum software development kit and platform calledcuQuantum, which leverages its CUDA programming model and libraries to enable developers to create and run quantum applications on Nvidia GPUs.

Wall Street remains bullish on Nvidia shares, rating the chipmakers stock as a Strong Buy. All in all, its one of those quantum computing stocks for January 2024.

On the date of publication, Tyrik Torresdid not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

Tyrik Torres has been studying and participating in financial markets since he was in college, and he has particular passion for helping people understand complex systems. His areas of expertise are semiconductor and enterprise software equities. He has work experience in both investing (public and private markets) and investment banking.

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Wall Street Favorites: 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Strong Buy Ratings in January 2024 - InvestorPlace

Agreement includes KQC offering IBM software and new AI infrastructure capabilities as well as IBM's next-generation quantum computing architecture

BUSAN, South Korea, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that Korea Quantum Computing (KQC) has engaged IBM to offer IBM's most advanced AI software and infrastructure, as well as quantum computing services. KQC's ecosystem of users will have access to IBM's full stack solution for AI, including watsonx, an AI and data platform to train, tune and deploy advanced AI models and software for enterprises.

KQC is also expanding its quantum computing collaboration with IBM. Having operated as an IBM Quantum Innovation Center since 2022, KQC will continue to offer access to IBM's global fleet of utility-scale quantum systems over the cloud.Additionally, IBM and KQC plan to deploy an IBM Quantum System Two on-site at KQC in Busan, South Koreaby 2028.

"KQC is providing versatile computing infrastructure in Korea through our collaboration with IBM. Our robusthardware computing resources and core software in quantum and AI are poised not only to meet the growing demand for high performance computing, but also to catalyze industry utilization and ecosystem development. We are working to diligently enhance services and infrastructure through this collaboration as well as with our industry-specific partners," said Ji Hoon Kweon, Chairman of KQC.

"We are excited to work with KQC to deploy AI and quantum systems to drive innovation across Korean industries. With this engagement, KQC clients will have the ability to train, fine-tune, and deploy advanced AI models, using IBM watsonx and advanced AI infrastructure. Additionally, by having the opportunity to access IBM quantum systems over the cloud, today and a next-generation quantum system in the coming years KQC members will be able to combine the power of AI and quantum to develop new applications to address their industries' toughest problems," said Daro Gil, IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research.

This collaboration includes an investment in infrastructure to support the development and deployment of generative AI. Plans for the AI-optimized infrastructure includes advanced GPUs and IBM's Artificial Intelligence Unit (AIU), managed with Red Hat OpenShift to provide a cloud-native environment. Together, the GPU system and AIU combination is being engineered to offer members state-of-the-art hardware to power AI research and business opportunities.

To provide a full stack solution, this collaboration will also include access for KQC's clients to Red Hat OpeShift AI for management and runtime needs, and IBM's watsonx platform to empower generative AI and the next wave of computing technology. By leveraging watsonx software for its workflows and solutions, KQC members will have access to generative AI technologies for the enterprise.

In addition to IBM, KQC is also collaborating with other Korean organizations on contributions to the country's quantum computing ecosystem.

"KQC has beenactively building quantum research collaborations with leading domestic companies in the financial, bio-healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Last year, Dankook University Hospital joined as a co-research member in quantum healthcare. Additionally, as members of our IBM Quantum Innovation Center, Hanlim Pharmaceutical Co., has started joint research for new drug discovery with us. And DNEURO, a Korean financial software start up is developing quantum algorithms in option pricing and portfolio optimization," said Dr. Joon Young Kim, CEO of KQC.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Media Contacts:

Bethany Hill McCarthy, IBM Research [emailprotected]

Chris Nay, IBM Quantum [emailprotected]

SOURCE IBM

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Korea Quantum Computing and IBM Collaborate to Bring IBM watsonx and Quantum Computing to Korea - PR Newswire

In the world of quantum computing, the spotlight often lands on the hardware: qubits, superconducting circuits, and the like. But its time to shift our focus to the unsung hero of this tale the quantum software, the silent maestro orchestrating the symphony of qubits. From turning abstract quantum algorithms into executable code to optimizing circuit designs, quantum software plays a pivotal role.

Here, well explore the foundations of quantum programming, draw comparisons to classical computing, delve into the role of quantum languages, and forecast the transformational impact of this nascent technology. Welcome to a beginners guide to quantum software a journey to the heart of quantum computing.

At its heart, the world of quantum computing contrasts starkly with that of classical computing. The differences extend beyond hardware to the very core of programming. Lets illuminate some of the primary distinctions that delineate these parallel universes of computing.

Classical computers, the type most of us use daily, operate on binary data. This means they process information in bits, which are either in a state of 0 or 1. Classical programs, thus, revolve around manipulating these bits using logical operations.

Quantum computers, however, function quite differently. They leverage the quirks of quantum physics to process information via qubits. Unlike bits, a qubit can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. Additionally, qubits can also be entangled, meaning the state of one qubit can instantaneously affect the state of another, no matter the distance between them.

Therefore, programming a quantum computer necessitates a new approach, new logic, and an entirely new set of programming languages. Quantum software developers do not merely instruct a sequence of operations; they choreograph a dance of qubits, harnessing the peculiar properties of quantum physics to solve complex problems. The beauty of quantum programming lies in its ability to weave a ballet of superpositions and entanglements to achieve solutions exponentially faster than classical computing.

Quantum computing does not replace classical computing. Instead, it complements it, addressing problems that are currently unsolvable with classical computers due to the type of calculation and its complexity. Quantum software, therefore, requires a firm understanding of both classical and quantum principles to effectively leverage the strengths of each and navigate their respective challenges.

Quantum programming demands a unique set of terms to address the building blocks of a quantum program. These terms help us to describe and navigate the multi-dimensional universe of quantum computation. Here, we highlight three of these terms: quantum gates, quantum circuits, and quantum algorithms.

Quantum Gates: Much like classical computers use logical gates (AND, OR, NOT), quantum computers operate with quantum gates. But unlike their classical counterparts, quantum gates are reversible and deal with probabilities. They manipulate the state of qubits to perform quantum operations. A few examples include the Pauli-X, Pauli-Y, Pauli-Z, Hadamard, and CNOT gates.

Quantum Circuits: A sequence of quantum gates forms a quantum circuit. The quantum circuit defines the transformations that the qubits undergo to solve a given problem. However, the circuits behavior is inherently probabilistic due to the nature of quantum physics.

Quantum Algorithms: Quantum algorithms are sequences of quantum circuits designed to perform a specific task or solve a specific problem, much like a sequence of instructions forms a classical algorithm. Some popular quantum algorithms include Shors algorithm for factoring large numbers, and Grovers algorithm for searching unsorted databases. Quantum algorithms exploit the phenomena of superposition and entanglement to outperform classical algorithms for certain problem types.

In the realm of quantum programming, were essentially designing a choreographed sequence that manipulates qubits through these quantum gates, forming quantum circuits to execute quantum algorithms. All this, to solve problems that classical machines find insurmountable.

The world of quantum programming is as diverse as the set of problems it aims to solve. Various quantum programming languages and software platforms have emerged to address different needs, each with its unique approach and strengths. Here, we introduce you to this rich landscape.

Quantum Programming Languages: Just as classical computing has its C++, Python, and Java, quantum computing too has developed its languages. For example, Q# from Microsoft and Qiskit from IBM are two of the most popular quantum programming languages today. They allow you to define and manipulate quantum states, apply quantum gates, and measure the results.

Here we can see qiskit code that creates a quantum register with two qubits and applies a Hadamard gate to the first qubit and a CNOT gate to the two qubits. The code then measures the two qubits.

Software Platforms: Aside from standalone programming languages, there are software platforms designed to aid in quantum development. For instance, our platform at CLASSIQ provides an intuitive, visual way to design quantum circuits and algorithms. It is this high-level abstraction that allows quantum developers, beginners, and experts alike, to harness the power of quantum computing without getting bogged down in the low-level details of gate definitions.

Remember, each tool and language has its strengths, and the choice often depends on the problem youre tackling. Its about choosing the right tool for the right job, much like in the world of classical computing.

While programming a quantum computer can initially seem daunting, a high-level perspective simplifies the task into a series of logical steps. Heres an overview of the general process:

Problem Formulation: The first step in quantum programming is defining the problem you want to solve. This might be optimizing a financial portfolio, simulating a chemical reaction, or breaking an encryption code. Its crucial to understand that not all problems are suited for quantum solutions. Some tasks may be more efficiently handled by classical computers. Therefore, selecting the right kind of problem is a pivotal decision.

Algorithm Selection: Once you have defined the problem, the next step is to choose a quantum algorithm that can solve it. There is a growing library of quantum algorithms, each designed to address a particular type of problem. Some algorithms are well-suited for optimization tasks, while others are designed for simulation or machine learning.

Implementation: With the problem and algorithm in hand, you can now proceed to implementation. This is where quantum programming languages and platforms come into play. You translate the chosen algorithm into quantum code using your selected language or platform. This is often the most technical part of the process, and it can involve complex tasks like designing quantum circuits and managing quantum states.

Execution and Analysis: Finally, you execute your quantum program on a quantum computer or simulator and analyze the results. Since quantum computing is probabilistic, you may need to run your program multiple times to achieve a statistically significant result. The analysis often involves interpreting the quantum results in the context of your original problem.

Just like learning to program in a classical sense, the path to becoming proficient in quantum programming involves practice, patience, and a whole lot of curiosity.

The implications of quantum computing are broad and promising. As we refine our abilities to harness and manipulate quantum phenomena, well witness quantum computers unlocking solutions to some of the worlds most complex and currently unsolvable problems.

Innovation in Multiple Industries: Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize various industries. Pharmaceutical companies, for example, could use quantum systems to simulate and analyze complex molecular structures, leading to new drug discoveries. The financial sector could leverage quantum algorithms for better risk assessment, portfolio optimization, and fraud detection.

Improved Data Security: The prospect of quantum computers breaking current encryption methods is a cause for concern, yet it also presents an opportunity. As we advance in quantum computing, well simultaneously develop quantum-resistant encryption techniques, creating a new era of data security.

Scientific Discovery: Quantum computing promises to supercharge scientific discovery. In fields such as material science, quantum simulations can facilitate the discovery of new materials with desired properties. In climate science, it could offer more accurate climate predictions by better modeling complex systems.

While these exciting possibilities lie on the horizon, its important to remember that the quantum computing journey has just begun. Its a field ripe for exploration and innovation.

As we transition from theory to practice, from abstraction to application, quantum programming will play an increasingly central role. By learning the principles of quantum programming today, youre not only preparing for a quantum-powered future but actively participating in its creation.

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Mastering the quantum code: A primer on quantum software - SDTimes.com