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French electric utility outfit EDF is partnering with quantum computing firms Quandela and the quizzically-named Alice & Bob, alongside the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), to enhance energy consumption in quantum computing.

With the support of grant money from the public investment bank Bpifrance, the 6.1M initiative will also compare the energy requirements of quantum and classical high-performance computing systems.

The Energetic Optimisation of Quantum Circuits (OECQ) project will involve two phases. The first will compare the energy requirements of high-performance computing (HPC) systems with those of quantum computers.

The second will set its sights on curbing quantum computers energy consumption. Although quantum computers today consume significantly less energy than traditional supercomputers, they still need significant power, ranging from about 25 kW to 600 kWh daily, according to one estimate. Optimizing energy of the systems includes not only the quantum processing unit (QPU) itself but also ensuring the auxiliary technologies that power it are efficient.

The OECQ project arrives at an important time. As interest in AI builds, some Big Tech firms are eyeing nuclear energy to support burgeoning demand. Increasing demand for AI services is driving a substantive increases in power requirements for data centers, potentially surpassing the annual energy consumption of many small nations. By 2030, data centers could consume up to 9% of electricity in the U.S., more than double what is being used now, as Quartz noted.

The eventual commercialization of quantum computing could reshape the computational landscape. But it could presents a double-edged sword for energy consumption. On one hand, quantum computers promise to solve some problems exponentially faster (like factoring prime numbers) than classical computers, potentially curbing overall energy use for some applications. But on the other, they could enable entirely new classes of computationally intensive tasks, potentially driving overall energy demand even higher.

OECQ aims to optimize quantum computers energy use through a partnership-based approach:

The projects second phase will focus on concrete optimization strategies. This stage will include not only improving the efficiency of the quantum processing unit (QPU) itself but also minimizing the energy consumed by the cooling and control systems that support it.

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EDF, Alice & Bob, Quandela, and CNRS team up to enhance quantum computing efficiency - Research & Development World

As the National Institute of Standards and Technology is slated to soon debut the first round of encryption algorithms it has deemed suited for the potential arrival of a viable quantum computer, experts have advice for organizations: know your code.

The need for strong cryptographic governance ahead of migrating digital networks to a post-quantum standard will be a major component to updated cybersecurity best practices, as both public and private sectors begin to reconcile their network security with new algorithmic needs.

Matthew Scholl, the chief of the computer security division in the National Institute of Standards and Technologys Information Technology Laboratory, said that understanding what a given organizations security capabilities are will offer insight into what aspects of a network should transition first.

Deep understanding of what current encryption methods do and precisely where they are will be a fundamental aspect of correctly implementing the three forthcoming quantum-resistant algorithms.

With that information, you should then be able to prioritize what to change and when, and you should plan for the long term changes and updates going forward, Scholl told Nextgov/FCW.

Scott Crowder, vice president for IBM Quantum Adoption and Business Development, echoed Scholls points on creating a cryptographic inventory to ensure the algorithms are properly configured. Crowder said that while overhauling encryption code is a comprehensive transition, understanding what needs to change can be difficult based on who wrote the code in the first place.

It's a painbecause it's actually at two levels, Crowder told Nextgov/FCW. First you get all the code that you've written, but then you've got all the rest of your IT supply chain that vendors provide.

Based on client conversations, Crowder estimates that 20% of the transformation problem hinges on an entitys internal code, while the remaining 80% is ensuring the vendors in their supply chains have correctly implemented NISTs new algorithms.

From our experience, and doing some work with clients, typically for one application area, it's like three to six months to discover the environment and do some of the basic remediation, he said. But, you know, that's like a small part of the elephant.

In addition to creating a comprehensive cryptographic inventory that can determine which code should be updated, Scholl said that cybersecurity in a quantum-ready era needs to be versatile.

You need to build your systems with flexibility so that it can change, he said. Don't put something that's [going] to be the next generation's legacy. Build something that is agile and flexible.

The debut of the three standardized post-quantum algorithms ML-KEM, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, and Sphinx Plus will enable classical computers to keep data encrypted against a future fault-tolerant, quantum-powered computer. During their implementation processes, Scholl said that organizations need to both continue monitoring the configuration of the newly implemented algorithms as well as consistently test for vulnerabilities.

Scholl said that the fourth algorithm, Falcon, which was selected as a winning algorithm in 2022 along with the other three, will be released for implementation later this year.

Despite the milestone in quantum cryptography readiness, Crowder notes that this is just the beginning for a new era of cybersecurity hygiene.

You can think of the NIST standardization as basically the starting gun, he said. But there's a lot of work to be done on taking those standards, making sure that all the open source implementations, all the proprietary implementations get done, and then rippling through and doing all the hard work in terms of doing the transformation upgrade.

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NIST will fire the starting gun in the race to quantum encryption - Nextgov/FCW

Dr. Mark Jackson, a leading expert in quantum computing and Senior Quantum Evangelist at Quantinuum, recently shared his views on the imminent impact of quantum technology. With a PhD in superstring theory and cosmology, Jacksons extensive background positions him as a crucial voice in the quantum revolution. Here, he offered his vision for the future and the necessity of early investment in quantum computing.

The market potential for quantum computing isnt just in the billions; its believed that it will be in the trillions, Jackson said.

Jackson stressed the importance of early adoption.

It takes time to write the software, to understand how this works, to understand how it affects your industry. Its not simply a matter of turning on a dime once you see the headlines about quantum being relevant, he said. The complexity and novelty of quantum computing demand a proactive approach to ensure organizations are ready to leverage its capabilities.

Explaining the fundamental difference between quantum and classical computers, Jackson noted: A normal computer is based on bits which are zero or one. A quantum computer is based on quantum bits, or qubits, which can be zero and one at the same time. This property enables quantum computers to consider multiple solutions simultaneously, vastly increasing computational power. You get this exponential scaling of possible solutions that a quantum computer would consider, he added.

Jackson called attention to some key applications where quantum computing excels.

One thing that quantum computers are very good at is chemistry, being able to do material science calculations, trying to simulate molecules and understand how theyll behave, he said. Personalized medicine is another promising field, as quantum computing could significantly reduce the time and cost required to develop new drugs. With a quantum computer, we think that we could speed this up and make it much more efficient, Jackson explained.

Cybersecurity is also a critical area of concern and opportunity. Jackson pointed out: Quantum computing is relevant to hacking or cybersecurity. Now that quantum is becoming pretty powerful, a lot of governments and communications companies are very concerned about this. Companies like Apple and Zoom have already started upgrading their cybersecurity measures to protect against potential quantum threats.

Despite its potential, Jackson acknowledged the current limitations of quantum technology.

Unfortunately, its very expensive to build a quantum computer right now, and so its only really very developed countries that are investing in this, he said. However, he remains optimistic about the future accessibility of quantum computing. The price of quantum computing is coming down, and a lot of people have access to it over the cloud.

Jackson dispelled the common misconception that quantum computing is still decades away.

By far the biggest misconception that I come across is that people think that quantum computing might be relevant in 20 years, he said. He stressed that significant breakthroughs have occurred in the past decade, rapidly advancing the field. Quantum has increased its performance by about a factor of ten every year, Jackson noted, while predicting that practical applications of quantum computing will emerge within the next two years.

Jackson urges organizations to begin investing in quantum technology now to stay ahead.

The organizations which will take most advantage of this are those who have already begun. It really is essential that if youre not already investing in quantum, you start developing expertise and investing in this now, he advised. The future of quantum computing promises to revolutionize various industries, and early preparation will be key to capitalizing on its transformative potential.

Featured image: Credit: PNNL

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Quantum Computing is Becoming More Accessible as Costs Drop & Cloud Access Expands Dr. Mark Jackson - The Quantum Insider

Key dates for prospective event hosts:

August 7: Deadline to sign up for event host informational sessions and Qiskit Fall Fest mailing list

August 15: Informational session

August 16: Informational session

August 22: Deadline for event host applications

August 27: Application decisions to be announced

September 3: Qiskit Fall Fest 2024 event lineup to be announced to the public

October-November: Qiskit Fall Fest events take place

Since 2021, the Qiskit Fall Fest has brought together quantum enthusiasts of all backgrounds and experience levels for a worldwide celebration of quantum technology, research, and collaboration. Spearheaded primarily by student leaders and taking place on university campuses all around the globe, Qiskit Fall Fest gives participants a unique opportunity to engage with the Qiskit community and even get hands-on experience with real quantum computers. Now, the event series is gearing up to return for its fourth annual installment, which will kick off in October.

Qiskit Fall Fest is a collection of quantum computing events that invites students, researchers and industry professionals around the world to participate in a wide array of quantum-themed activities, ranging from quantum challenges, hackathons, and coding competitions to workshops, social events, and more. With each Qiskit Fall Fest, we partner with a select group of university students and other volunteer hosts to help them plan and run the global roster of Fall Fest events. This year's event theme, World of Quantum, celebrates the international scope of the event series and the rapid growth of the global quantum community.

Last years Qiskit Fall Fest engaged over 4,000 participants with the help of 95 event hosts all working alongside IBM Quantum to grow their local quantum communities. We hope to see even more participants in 2024!

Were looking for volunteers located all around the world to host their very own events as part of the Qiskit Fall Fest lineup. Anyone who has a passion for quantum computing is eligible to host a Fall Fest event. (See the next section of this post for more details on host eligibility.)

Interested in joining the fun? Click this link to register for one of the Qiskit Fall Fest informational sessions well be holding this summer for prospective event hosts.

The informational sessions will take place on Thursday, August 15 and Friday, August 16, and will give prospective event hosts valuable insights into the requirements and time commitment involved with running a Qiskit Fall Fest event.

If youd like to participate in Qiskit Fall Fest but dont plan on hosting an event, you can also use the same registration link to sign up for the Qiskit Fall Fest mailing list, which will keep you up-to-date with all the latest details on this years events.

Please submit all registrations for the Qiskit Fall Fest informational sessions and/or mailing list by Wednesday, August 7.

After the informational sessions, prospective event hosts will submit applications detailing their background and expertise in quantum computing. Applications will be due the week after the information sessions, and decisions will be announced the week after that. Be sure to check the sidebar at the top of this page for all key dates.

The full roster of Qiskit Fall Fest 2024 events will be announced to the public in early September, and the events themselves will take place in October and November.

Most Qiskit Fall Fest events take place on university campuses and are led by university students though there are certainly some exceptions. Weve intentionally put students at the forefront of the Qiskit Fall Fest event series since its initial launch in 2021. Thats because we believe the student leaders of today will be the quantum industry leaders of tomorrow. With the Qiskit Fall Fest, we aim to give students an opportunity to put their leadership skills to the test and help grow the quantum community using resources and guidance from IBM.

At the same time, anyone can participate in and even host a Qiskit Fall Fest event. Dont have access to a university campus? No problem! In the past, weve had high school students, recent graduates, and even industry professionals host events that take place virtually and in other appropriate settings. Just be sure to register for the informational sessions by August 7 and submit your idea for an event by August 22. If its a fit, well work with you to bring it to life. (Please note: Only those who attend one of the informational sessions will receive access to the event host application.)

Click here to register for the mailing list and informational sessions.

Read more here:
Register to host an event at Qiskit Fall Fest 2024! - IBM

The Novo Nordisk Foundation, under the leadership of Senior Vice President Lene B. Oddershede, is leading efforts to harness quantum computing for groundbreaking advances in life sciences and healthcare. In a recent interview, Oddershede shared her thoughts into the foundations ambitious quantum initiatives and their potential to transform medical research and drug discovery.

Oddershede talked about the foundations long-term commitment to quantum technology.

We understand we are in it for the long haul, she began. It does come tomorrow that we will have a quantum computer that is capable of solving real problems in the Life Sciences. We need to be patient, maybe for another ten years or so and thats actually totally fine. This approach aligns with the foundations experience in pharmaceutical development, where timelines often span decades.

The potential applications of quantum computing in life sciences are vast. Oddershede explained: I strongly believe that quantum computing is going to be such a powerful tool that it will help us get maybe even an AB initial understanding of how biomolecules work, maybe of how a cell works with the lipids with everything and that will give us an understanding of such fundamental and basic processes that will really impact a number of different areas.

Oddershede stressed the foundations long-term commitment to quantum technology.

One specific area where quantum computing could make a significant impact is in understanding complex enzymatic processes.

If you take nitrogenase, for example, its the enzyme that converts nitrogen into ammonia, a process essential for feeding the world. Industrially, this is done through the Haber process, which is extremely energy-consuming, said Oddershede, providing an example, potentially leading to more efficient and environmentally friendly ammonia production.

To advance quantum computing research, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has launched a major initiative. Oddershede revealed: The largest initiative we have supported to date is the NOA NIS Foundation quantum computing program, which we have funded with 200 million euros. The purpose of the program is to develop fault-tolerant quantum computing.

This program aims to achieve a trillion error-free operations, a significant milestone in quantum computing capabilities.

Recognizing the global nature of quantum research, Oddershede underlined the importance of international collaboration.

We need to collaborate with trusted partners, so we need to identify trusted partners and then we need to enter into a really deep collaboration with these partners, she said. The foundation has established partnerships with academic institutions worldwide and industry leaders like NVIDIA to foster innovation in quantum computing.

Looking to the future, Oddershede shared her vision for quantum computings impact.

My highest hope is actually that we will participate in and enable actually to accelerate the development of fault tolerant quantum computing for the benefit of all humankind and of the planet, she said.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring that quantum technology benefits society broadly, rather than being monopolized by a few large tech companies.

The Novo Nordisk Foundations initiatives promise to play a crucial role in unlocking its potential for life sciences and healthcare. With a focus on collaboration, long-term investment and societal benefit, the foundation is helping to pave the way for a future where quantum computing could revolutionize our understanding of biological processes and accelerate medical breakthroughs.

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The Novo Nordisk Foundation Believes Quantum Computing Poised to Revolutionize Healthcare & Drug Discovery - The Quantum Insider