Where could a practical quantum advantage lie in industry and what are the challenges that need to be overcome? This was the key question discussed by industry and science for one and a half days at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Jeanette Lorenz, MQV member and head of the “Quantum-enhanced AI” department at Fraunhofer IKS, who played a leading role in organizing the event, already spoke in her introduction about the challenge of integrating quantum-based approaches into an industrial pipeline – and not losing a potential quantum advantage in the process.
Symposium "Towards applications of quantum computing": networking science and industry
On 11 and 12 November, the symposium "Towards applications of quantum computing" took place. The event was organized by Munich Quantum Valley (MQV) together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems IKS, supported by Bayern Innovativ and QUTAC. The symposium brought together representatives from industry and science working on quantum computing applications with hardware and software developers.
The technical status of quantum computers, both in terms of hardware and software, and the possibilities they offer were presented by the respective developers. “What can you do with twelve ions?” asked for example Felix Rohde from Alpine Quantum Technologies, who produce quantum computers based on ions. The answer: quite a lot! And the ideas for the production of larger and error-corrected quantum computers are numerous. Other companies, including many from the MQV partner network such as planqc, IQM, Quantinuum and Quandela, also painted an optimistic picture. However, one of the current key tasks is to find out exactly where quantum computing offers an advantage over classical computing.
The envisioned fields of application are primarily in the areas of simulation and optimization. Numerous companies that are already testing concepts for integrating quantum computers into industrial processes contributed their expertise from the user perspective. There were contributions from various sectors, from energy supply and the automotive industry to aerospace. The case studies are diverse. Wind tunnel simulations of flow behavior in order to develop vehicles and aircraft with optimal aerodynamic properties – relevant, among other things, for the most fuel-efficient use possible. Simulating molecular dynamics and predicting binding affinities and side effects for the development of new drugs, and possibly even personalized drugs. The optimization of supply chains, automated production processes, flight routes and satellite missions. Or the development of new types of fuels or coating materials.
Not all of these problems necessarily have to be solved better in their entirety by a quantum computer. The integration of quantum computers in high-performance data centers and the combination with classical artificial intelligence were therefore also a topic.
The complexity of industrial applications on the one hand and of integrating quantum computing into existing industrial processes on the other require early collaboration between science and industry and the carefully coordinated development of hardware and software. "We not only want the best research, but also the best quantum economy," summarized State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt, opening the Quantum Computing networking evening. It was important to keep a constant focus on the applications of quantum computing – because "Bavaria wants to be the home of quantum computing". The networking evening, which concluded the first day of the symposium, followed these words with an opportunity to continue the lively discussions from the presentations in a more relaxed setting.
Two panel discussions, which focused on the current status of the industrial application of quantum computing and the advancement of the technology with a view towards the future, placed the individual presentations in a broader context. One of the panelists summarized that the past two days had triggered a multitude of new thoughts and ideas. An assessment that seems to be shared by the majority of participants.