September 22, 2023 was a historic date for Quebec and Canada, marking the inauguration of the very first IBM Quantum System One computer on Canadian soil. This event of international importance took place in Bromont, in the presence of such eminent figures as Mr. Fitzgibbon, Quebec’s Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy. As one of the protagonists of this quantum-driven technological revolution, PROMPT was privileged to be invited to this inauguration, as a key player in the support and funding of collaborative research between academia and industry. Here’s a look back at the inauguration, which our team was privileged to attend.
Historic inauguration of IBM Quantum System One
PINQ2, the Plateforme d’Innovation Numérique et Quantique du Québec, invited stakeholders in the quantum technology ecosystem to the inauguration of Canada’s first quantum computer. PINQ2’s main mission is to support companies, from SMEs to start-ups, in their transition to the digital age by reducing the risks associated with innovation. One of its flagship service offerings is hybrid quantum computing, aligned with industry standards in computing and security. This approach enables companies to explore the potential benefits of both digital and quantum technologies.
The inauguration highlighted several key themes, including the need to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry on innovation projects, the need to accelerate the transfer of new technologies to the market, and the importance of rapid adoption of these technologies by Quebec companies to boost their competitiveness. The aim of these strategic discussions is to position Québec, and more broadly Canada, as a leading player in this fast-growing technological revolution.
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 at a number of sites around the world, in Germany, Japan, the USA and now Canada. Its 127-qubit utility processor will offer improved coherence times and lower error rates than previous IBM quantum systems.
PROMPT’s role in the development of quantum technologies
The province of Quebec has clearly demonstrated its commitment to this technology of the future, and PROMPT has already been positioning itself for several years as a central player in this fast-growing ecosystem. Quebec’s investment in quantum technology reflects recognition of its transformative potential and its key role in creating high-tech jobs, as well as strengthening economic competitiveness. In addition, the call for projects to fund the development of these technologies opened a few weeks ago, with a deadline for submission of projects set for November 30, 2023.
Key figures for the Bromont supercomputer:
- Investment of $68 million by the Quebec government to acquire rights of use for the next 5 years
- Power of 127 qubits (quantum bits)
- Refrigeration maintaining a temperature of -270 degrees Celsius
- Since its installation in July 2023, more than 2 billion transactions have been carried out.
(Photo credit: Ryan Lavine for IBM)
