The Week in Quantum Computing - October 28th - Europe Quantum, QuEra $16M in Mass, INOX and IISc, MegaQuOp milestone, LuxQuanta
The Week in Quantum Computing - October 28th - Europe Quantum, QuEra $16M in Mass, INOX and IISc, MegaQuOp milestone, LuxQuanta
Issue #207
Quick Recap
In India, INOX Group and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have partnered to establish a quantum materials lab, focusing on developing indigenous semiconductor technologies to reduce reliance on imports. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the University of Basel and QuantumBasel are enhancing their Center for Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence, aiming to strengthen Switzerland's position in the quantum technology race with IonQ set to build its first European quantum computer at the site. A survey by Informa PLC indicates optimism about quantum computing's practical applications by 2026, with significant impacts anticipated in cybersecurity and drug discovery. Questions abotu the PsiQuantum entry in Australia and the government investment. Riverlane makes strides on a MegaQuOp milestone. QuEra to set a $16 quantum facility at Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Financial Services Industry Market Research by Deloitte and Q-Ctrl
A great report was published by Deloitte on how quantum can affect financial services. The report is attached here but if you don’t have time to read it, here’s a summary
The report focuses on the NISQ era, characterized by quantum processors that can handle up to 1,000 qubits but are not yet fault-tolerant. Key challenges include quantum error correction (QEC) and the need for more "logical qubits" for efficient computation.
Key Quantum Algorithms in Financial Services
- Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC): Utilized for derivative pricing and risk analysis, offering a quadratic speedup over classical Monte Carlo methods.
- Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA): Solves combinatorial optimization problems with potential quadratic speedup.
- Grover's Adaptive Search (GAS): Applied in optimization tasks, though it requires high computational resources.
- Quantum Neural Networks (QNN) and Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVM): Used for machine learning applications, showing promise in requiring less training data compared to classical methods.
- Quantum Generative Adversarial Networks (QGANs) and Quantum Restricted Boltzmann Machines (QRBMs): Employed for unsupervised anomaly detection, providing better performance with less data.
Potential Applications in Real-World Scenarios
Derivative Pricing:
- Current State: Uses Quantum Monte Carlo for faster and more accurate derivative valuation.
- Future Application: Expected to improve profitability and risk management in capital markets by reducing the time and increasing the accuracy of derivative pricing.Liquidity Optimization:
- Current State: Uses QAOA and GAS to reorder payment sequences and optimize liquidity.
- Future Application: Will significantly enhance the efficiency of interbank payment systems and other cash-flow-intensive businesses.Portfolio Optimization:
- Current State: Uses QAOA and GAS to manage large asset portfolios, incorporating multiple constraints.
- Future Application: Expected to improve asset allocation, risk assessment, and profitability in asset management and other sectors.Risk Analysis:
- Current State: Uses QMC for faster and more accurate risk calculations.
- Future Application: Will provide a competitive advantage by offering a more comprehensive and quicker risk assessment across various financial sectors.Supervised Anomaly Detection:
- Current State: Utilizes QNNs and QSVMs for fraud detection and other anomaly detection tasks.
- Future Application: Will enhance the speed and accuracy of fraud detection, significantly impacting profitability and customer satisfaction.Unsupervised Anomaly Detection:
- Current State: Uses QGANs and QRBMs to identify patterns in data without labeled training data.
- Future Application: Will improve the identification of sophisticated and subtle issues, reducing regulatory, compliance, and operational risks.
Expected Timeline and Prerequisites
- Short-Term (Next 3-5 Years)
- Combinatorial optimization tasks and machine learning applications are expected to see initial benefits.
- Continued development in quantum hardware and software is necessary.
- Long-Term (Beyond 5 Years):
- Full-scale implementation of quantum computing in the financial sector will depend on achieving fault-tolerant quantum computers.
- Development of more efficient quantum algorithms and solutions to current technical challenges, such as error correction and qubit scalability, are essential.### Skeptical Outlook and Challenges
- Technical Hurdles:
- Current quantum devices are limited by noise and scalability issues.
- High gate depth and the number of qubits required for complex calculations remain problematic.
- Uncertainty in Timeline:
- The exact timeline for when quantum computers will surpass classical systems in practical applications is uncertain.
- Further research and validation are required to understand the full potential and limitations of quantum computing in finance.
(Note from Sergio) In addition to that, most of the research on use cases in the financial industry has been performed with contrained data sets or toy models. While this is great for advancing reseach, currently there are no real benchmarks that can make proper comparison with state of the art methods, whether heuristic, stochastic or analytical.
The Week in Quantum Computing
INOX and IISc to launch quantum computing lab for tech advancements
INOX Group and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) are collaborating to establish a quantum materials lab at IISc's Centre for Nano Science and Engineering. This initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to advance semiconductor and quantum technology by developing an indigenous Molecular Beam Epitaxy unit. Siddharth Jain of INOX emphasized their commitment to advancing scientific research and supporting India's leadership in quantum technology.
CAMERON MILNER: Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia fund has been lucrative for a select few
The Albanese Government's "Future Made in Australia" fund, a $22.7 billion initiative, is under scrutiny for allegedly favoring entities with connections to Labor insiders. Cameron Milner highlights concerns about the $1 billion investment in PsiQuantum, a company claiming to build the first "useful" quantum computer. Criticism is directed at the involvement of lobbying firms with ties to Labor, including Blackbird Ventures, whose partner Niki Scevak has longstanding connections with Industry Minister Ed Husic. Paul Fletcher of the Liberals has raised questions about these associations.
Paper: The State of Factoring on Quantum Computers
Dennis Willsch and colleagues explore the current capabilities of quantum computers in factoring integers, a critical task for cryptography. Their study, submitted to arXiv, evaluates both digital and analog quantum systems. They highlight that errors in digital quantum computers can cause Shor's algorithm to fail, while analog systems show improved scaling performance over random guessing, though still exponential. The research underscores the challenges and potential of quantum computing in cryptography, with future prospects for factoring large integers.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.14397v1
University of Basel and QuantumBasel Collaboration
The University of Basel and QuantumBasel have announced a collaboration to enhance the Center for Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence (QC2) at the University of Basel's Department of Physics. This partnership aims to advance quantum algorithms and their industrial applications, strengthening Switzerland's position in the global quantum technology race. Prof. Primo Schär of the University of Basel highlights the collaboration's role in doctoral training and funding acquisition. QuantumBasel, part of the uptownBasel Group, is developing a dynamic ecosystem in Arlesheim, Switzerland, to foster research-industry synergy.
https://quantumbasel.com/press-media/collaboration-uni-basel-and-quantumbasel
The Export Certainty Principle
The U.S. has introduced interim export control rules for emerging technologies, including quantum tech, to reduce uncertainty for companies. These rules, praised by Robert Friedman and Paul Stimers of Holland & Knight, cover advanced semiconductor and additive manufacturing technologies, among others. They include a 60-day implementation delay and exceptions for countries with similar controls. The Wassenaar Arrangement's influence, particularly Russia's, complicates global export controls, prompting the U.S. to seek collaboration with like-minded allies. The rules are seen as a reasonable approach to balancing security concerns with global commerce needs.
https://www.insidequantumtechnology.com/news-archive/the-export-certainty-principle/
Quantum Computers Expected to Be Useful by 2026, Survey
A recent survey by Informa PLC indicates that quantum computers are anticipated to become practically useful by 2026. The survey gathered insights from 300 industry experts, with 71% expressing optimism about quantum computing's potential to solve complex problems. Notably, 52% of respondents believe quantum technology will significantly impact cybersecurity, while 47% foresee advancements in drug discovery. IBM and Google are highlighted as key players in the quantum race, with IBM's Jay Gambetta stating, "Quantum computing will redefine what's possible."
https://www.iotworldtoday.com/quantum/quantum-computers-expected-to-be-useful-by-2026-survey
Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Report: Defining the Path to Fault-Tolerant Computing and the MegaQuOp Milestone
Riverlane's 2024 Quantum Error Correction (QEC) Report underscores the pivotal role of quantum error correction in achieving scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing. Contributions from 12 experts highlight the necessity of QEC for executing millions of reliable quantum operations (MegaQuOp), a milestone targeted for 2028. Achieving 99.9% qubit fidelity is essential for building dependable logical qubits across various platforms. Steve Brierley, Riverlane CEO, emphasizes, "By improving the quality and quantity of qubits... we can start to realize world-changing applications." The report stresses the importance of collaborative efforts and a scalable QEC Stack for real-time error correction. As quantum computing advances, achieving MegaQuOp is crucial for transitioning from experimental to commercial applications.
Quantum entanglement speed is measured for the first time, and it's too fast to comprehend
Researchers from TU Wien, led by Prof. Joachim Burgdörfer, have measured the speed of quantum entanglement for the first time, revealing it occurs on attosecond timescales. Using advanced simulations and laser experiments, they observed how entanglement forms between electrons, challenging traditional notions of time and state. Prof. Iva Březinová explained that the entanglement process is linked to the energy states of electrons, with measurable differences occurring around 232 attoseconds. This groundbreaking study, published in Physical Review Letters, could revolutionize quantum technologies by providing insights into the inception of entanglement, potentially enhancing quantum computing and cryptography.
The Netherlands to host an EU quantum computer in Amsterdam
The European Commission has selected Amsterdam to host one of nine new quantum computers, with a budget of €20 million, half funded by Brussels. Scheduled for delivery in summer 2026, the quantum computer will be housed at Amsterdam University's science park and linked to the national supercomputer Snellius. Alex Berg from the Dutch IT innovation association Surf stated, "We expect this will give a tremendous boost to the development of quantum applications, research, and Dutch companies." The computer's capacity will be split between Dutch entities and other EU users.
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/10/the-netherlands-to-host-an-eu-quantum-computer-in-amsterdam/
LuxQuanta collaborates in test of low latency fibre in Data Centers, led by Lyntia
LuxQuanta, in collaboration with Lyntia, Nokia, Digital Realty, evolutionQ, and OFS | Furukawa Solutions, conducted a groundbreaking test of low-latency fibre in data centers. The initiative aimed to secure fibre-optic links using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, demonstrating compatibility with innovative "Hollow Core" fibre, which reduces latency by over 30%. This test showcased the interoperability of QKD systems from LuxQuanta and ID Quantique, extending secure connections up to 200 kilometers. Eduardo Duato, CTO of Lyntia, emphasized their commitment to innovation and security.
Nobel Laureate Alain Aspect: quantum computing promises revolution, but industry impact still years away
Nobel Laureate Alain Aspect, co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, emphasizes that while quantum computing holds revolutionary potential, its industry impact remains years away. Speaking in Taiwan, Aspect highlighted the importance of startups bridging basic research and industrial applications. He noted the challenge of scaling quantum technologies, with companies like Google, IBM, and Intel investing heavily in qubit development. Aspect's co-founded company, Pasqal, made strides by manipulating 1,000 neutral atoms. He stressed the need for new programming paradigms and quantum education to address a talent shortage. Aspect also pointed to potential energy efficiency advantages of quantum systems.
https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20241015VL200/quantum-computing-taiwan-quantum-france.html
Quantum in Context: Money Plus or Minus QuEra, Q-CTRL, Zapata AI
QuEra, Q-CTRL, and Zapata AI are at pivotal moments in the quantum computing landscape. QuEra, a neutral-atom quantum computing company, received an undisclosed investment from Google Quantum AI, signaling potential strategic collaboration. Q-CTRL, specializing in quantum error suppression and mitigation, secured $59 million in Series B funding, emphasizing the importance of optimized control software in quantum technology. Conversely, Zapata AI, which transitioned from quantum software to AI, ceased operations after financial struggles post-SPAC. Dr. Bob Sutor notes, "hope wins two-to-one over despair," reflecting the industry's mixed fortunes. As investments continue, the quantum sector remains a landscape of both opportunity and risk, with strategic partnerships and technological advancements shaping its future trajectory.
https://futurumgroup.com/insights/quantum-in-context-money-plus-or-minus-quera-q-ctrl-zapata-ai/
U.S. Trails China by a Decade in Quantum Computing
At the TechNet Indo-Pacific conference, experts highlighted that the U.S. lags a decade behind China in quantum computing, a critical technology for military applications such as cryptography and AI. Theresa Melvin from Aerospike attributes China's lead to its focus on quantum advancements over counterterrorism efforts. Despite a debunked claim of China breaking military-grade encryption, Beijing's advantage is acknowledged. Tung Ho from Exovera warns of potential risks if encryption is compromised. The panel emphasized the strategic importance of AI, with Trey Coleman from Raft advocating for immediate AI model training to enhance decision-making speed. Ed Barnabas from Booz Allen Hamilton stressed ethical AI development. The U.S. must accelerate quantum and AI advancements to maintain strategic parity with China.
https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/us-trails-china-decade-quantum-computing
Quantum Communication Infrastructure
The European Commission has announced a call for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to support the deployment of quantum communication infrastructure across EU Member States and outermost regions. The initiative, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), aims to establish cross-border quantum communication links and space segment interconnections. Proposals must outline post-project infrastructure ownership and service provision mechanisms. Specifications for optical ground stations compatible with the Eagle-1 and EuroQCI satellites will be provided to applicants, with further details available under a non-disclosure agreement.
https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/calls-proposals/quantum-communication-infrastructure_en
Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry
The Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC3) initiative aims to advance scalable quantum computing methods for computational chemistry and materials science. This project is a collaboration involving key institutions and researchers focused on developing generalizable solutions. The initiative seeks to harness quantum computing's potential to revolutionize how chemical reactions and material properties are understood and predicted. As quantum computing continues to evolve, QC3 represents a significant step towards practical applications in scientific research, potentially transforming industries reliant on chemical and material innovations.
http://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/programs/qc3
Another revolution about to start with $16M quantum computing project in Mass.
The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, in collaboration with QuEra Computing, is set to establish a $16 million quantum computing facility in Holyoke over the next two years. This initiative marks Massachusetts as the first state to support a quantum computing project, aiming to attract researchers and commercial entities to leverage the center's advanced capabilities. Jim Kinney of The Republican highlights this development as "another revolution about to start," emphasizing the transformative potential of quantum technology. As the quantum computing landscape evolves, this project underscores the growing commitment to advancing quantum research and its applications, positioning Massachusetts as a pivotal hub in the quantum revolution.
Post-Quantum Cryptography: Additional Digital Signature Schemes
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues its Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Standardization Process, initiated in December 2016, to address quantum computing advancements. As of October 2024, NIST is in its fourth round of evaluations, focusing on key encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs) like BIKE, Classic McEliece, HQC, and SIKE. Notably, no digital signature candidates remain, prompting a call for new proposals, which closed on June 1, 2023, with 40 algorithms under review. Previously, NIST standardized CRYSTALS-KYBER, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+ for their quantum resistance. Dr. Lily Chen, Dr. Dustin Moody, and Dr. Yi-Kai Liu lead the Cryptographic Technology Group.
https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/pqc-dig-sig
Quantum Initiatives Worldwide 2024
Global investments in quantum technology have surpassed $40 billion, with the market projected to reach $106 billion by 2040. Australia has committed AU$625 million to quantum initiatives, including AU$101.2 million for a national strategy. Canada, a leader in quantum research, has invested over $1 billion, with $360 million for a National Quantum Strategy. China, a pioneer in quantum science, has invested an estimated $15 billion, aiming for a quantum communications infrastructure by 2030. Denmark's Novo Nordisk Foundation has allocated DKK1.5 billion ($200 million) for a quantum computing program. The European Commission's Quantum Flagship, with €1 billion funding, aims to consolidate European leadership in quantum technology.
https://www.qureca.com/quantum-initiatives-worldwide/
Will Quantum Computing Turn Out Just Like Nuclear Fusion? Always 50 Years Away?
Ivy Delaney explores the parallels between quantum computing and nuclear fusion, both seen as revolutionary yet elusive technologies. Despite the promise, neither has fully materialized in practical terms. Quantum computing, unlike fusion, is already making strides with a vast ecosystem and significant private and public funding. The field is advancing with developments in quantum error correction and scaling qubits. Companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google are leading the charge, with languages like Qiskit and Q# facilitating quantum programming. Delaney suggests that while nuclear fusion remains a distant goal, quantum computing is steadily progressing, indicating a future where it becomes an integral part of technological advancement.
https://quantumzeitgeist.com/quantum-computing-future/
New national quantum laboratory to open up access to quantum computing, unleashing a revolution in AI, energy, healthcare and more
The UK has inaugurated the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) at Harwell Campus, a 4,000 square meter facility housing 12 quantum computers. Opened by Science Minister Lord Vallance on October 25, 2024, the NQCC aims to drive breakthroughs in AI, energy, and healthcare by offering open access to industry and academia. It will host over 70 staff and provide educational opportunities, including the world’s first quantum apprenticeship program. The Centre is set to enhance sectors like energy grid optimization, drug discovery, and climate prediction. Lord Vallance emphasized its role in solving major challenges and boosting the UK’s economy. As quantum computing advances, the NQCC positions the UK at the forefront of technological innovation.
Unleashing Quantum’s Potential
Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, encryption, and sensing, offering strategic advantages. The U.S. currently leads China in quantum tech, but this lead is threatened. A CSIS discussion highlighted four collaboration challenges: capital acquisition, supply chain support, human capital scarcity, and export control navigation. In 2023, quantum companies saw a 50% drop in venture capital, from $2.2 billion to $1.2 billion, partly due to AI investments. Experts suggest clarifying quantum's applications to attract funding, emphasizing proven capabilities. DARPA's tracking of quantum progress was commended. The high-performance computing sector's history offers insights for quantum's growth.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/unleashing-quantums-potential
Consider the ethical impacts of quantum technologies in defence before it’s too late
Quantum technologies promise advancements in national defense, such as enhanced data collection and secure communications. The US Department of Defense invested $45 million in quantum weapons systems, while the UK and India focus on quantum sensors and encryption. However, ethical concerns arise, including privacy breaches, potential creation of chemical weapons, and breaking encryption standards. Mariarosaria Taddeo, Alexander Blanchard, and Kate Pundyk emphasize the need for ethical governance, proposing an "anticipatory ethical governance approach" to address these risks early. Despite the potential, challenges like the size and power requirements of quantum systems remain. As quantum technologies advance, integrating ethical considerations is crucial to harness their benefits responsibly.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03376-4
Podcast Research Content
**Quantum Computing and Communications: A Comprehensive Overview of Recent Developments** **Introduction** Quantum computing and communications have emerged as pivotal areas of research and development, promising to revolutionize industries ranging from cryptography to pharmaceuticals. This article delves into recent collaborations, government initiatives, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks shaping the quantum landscape. We explore partnerships between academic institutions and industry leaders, scrutinize government funding strategies, and examine groundbreaking research that underscores the potential and challenges of quantum technologies. **1. INOX Group and IISc Collaboration** The INOX Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to establish a quantum materials laboratory at IISc's Centre for Nano Science and Engineering. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to advance semiconductor and quantum technology by developing an indigenous Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) unit. Siddharth Jain, a key figure at INOX, emphasized the company's commitment to advancing scientific research and supporting India's leadership in quantum technology. Professor Srinivasan Raghavan of IISc highlighted the collaboration's role in making advanced technologies more affordable and accessible. The partnership will also include annual workshops and participation in global conferences, underscoring the growing momentum in quantum computing. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on costly imports and foster innovation within India. **2. The Albanese Government's "Future Made in Australia" Fund** The Albanese Government's "Future Made in Australia" fund, a $22.7 billion initiative, has come under scrutiny for allegedly favoring entities with connections to Labor insiders. Cameron Milner, a political commentator, has raised concerns about the $1 billion investment in PsiQuantum, a company claiming to build the first "useful" quantum computer. Criticism has been directed at the involvement of lobbying firms with ties to Labor, including Blackbird Ventures, whose partner Niki Scevak has longstanding connections with Industry Minister Ed Husic. Paul Fletcher of the Liberal Party has raised questions about these associations. This controversy underscores the challenges of ensuring transparency and fairness in government funding, especially as quantum computing continues to attract significant public and private investment. **3. Quantum Computing and Cryptography: Research by Dennis Willsch and Colleagues** Dennis Willsch and his research team have explored the current capabilities of quantum computers in factoring integers, a critical task for cryptography. Their study, submitted to arXiv, evaluates both digital and analog quantum systems. They highlight that errors in digital quantum computers can cause Shor's algorithm to fail, while analog systems show improved scaling performance over random guessing, though still exponential. The research underscores the challenges and potential of quantum computing in cryptography, with future prospects for factoring large integers. As quantum computing advances, understanding its limitations and capabilities in tasks like integer factoring remains crucial for its application in secure communications and beyond. **4. University of Basel and QuantumBasel Collaboration** The University of Basel and QuantumBasel have announced a collaboration to enhance the Center for Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence (QC2) at the University of Basel's Department of Physics. This partnership aims to advance quantum algorithms and their industrial applications, strengthening Switzerland's position in the global quantum technology race. Professor Primo Schär of the University of Basel highlights the collaboration's role in doctoral training and funding acquisition. QuantumBasel, part of the uptownBasel Group, is developing a dynamic ecosystem in Arlesheim, Switzerland, to foster research-industry synergy. CEO Damir Bogdan emphasizes the partnership's potential to drive technological progress. This collaboration positions Switzerland as a burgeoning hub for quantum innovation, with IonQ building its first European quantum computer at the site. **5. U.S. Export Control Rules for Emerging Technologies** The United States has introduced interim export control rules for emerging technologies, including quantum tech, to reduce uncertainty for companies. These rules, praised by Robert Friedman and Paul Stimers of Holland & Knight, cover advanced semiconductor and additive manufacturing technologies, among others. They include a 60-day implementation delay and exceptions for countries with similar controls. The Wassenaar Arrangement's influence, particularly Russia's, complicates global export controls, prompting the U.S. to seek collaboration with like-minded allies. The rules are seen as a reasonable approach to balancing security concerns with global commerce needs. As quantum computing continues to evolve, these regulations provide a clearer framework for international collaboration and innovation. **6. Informa PLC Survey on Quantum Computing** A recent survey by Informa PLC indicates that quantum computers are anticipated to become practically useful by 2026. The survey gathered insights from 300 industry experts, with 71% expressing optimism about quantum computing's potential to solve complex problems. Notably, 52% of respondents believe quantum technology will significantly impact cybersecurity, while 47% foresee advancements in drug discovery. IBM and Google are highlighted as key players in the quantum race, with IBM's Jay Gambetta stating, "Quantum computing will redefine what's possible." The survey underscores the growing confidence in quantum computing's imminent practical applications, suggesting a transformative shift in technology sectors as companies like IBM and Google continue to push the boundaries of quantum research and development. **7. Riverlane's 2024 Quantum Error Correction Report** Riverlane's 2024 Quantum Error Correction (QEC) Report underscores the pivotal role of quantum error correction in achieving scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing. Contributions from 12 experts highlight the necessity of QEC for executing millions of reliable quantum operations (MegaQuOp), a milestone targeted for 2028. Achieving 99.9% qubit fidelity is essential for building dependable logical qubits across various platforms. Steve Brierley, Riverlane CEO, emphasizes, "By improving the quality and quantity of qubits... we can start to realize world-changing applications." The report stresses the importance of collaborative efforts and a scalable QEC Stack for real-time error correction. As quantum computing advances, achieving MegaQuOp is crucial for transitioning from experimental to commercial applications. **8. TU Wien's Research on Quantum Entanglement** Researchers from TU Wien, led by Professor Joachim Burgdörfer, have measured the speed of quantum entanglement for the first time, revealing it occurs on attosecond timescales. Using advanced simulations and laser experiments, they observed how entanglement forms between electrons, challenging traditional notions of time and state. Professor Iva Březinová explained that the entanglement process is linked to the energy states of electrons, with measurable differences occurring around 232 attoseconds. This groundbreaking study, published in Physical Review Letters, could revolutionize quantum technologies by providing insights into the inception of entanglement, potentially enhancing quantum computing and cryptography. As quantum events unfold in mere attoseconds, they promise to reshape our understanding of reality and technology. **9. European Commission's Quantum Computer Initiative** The European Commission has selected Amsterdam to host one of nine new quantum computers, with a budget of €20 million, half funded by Brussels. Scheduled for delivery in summer 2026, the quantum computer will be housed at Amsterdam University's science park and linked to the national supercomputer Snellius. Alex Berg from the Dutch IT innovation association Surf stated, "We expect this will give a tremendous boost to the development of quantum applications, research, and Dutch companies." The computer's capacity will be split between Dutch entities and other EU users. This initiative marks a significant step in advancing Europe's capabilities in quantum computing, promising rapid solutions to complex problems beyond traditional supercomputers' reach. **10. LuxQuanta's Quantum Key Distribution Test** LuxQuanta, in collaboration with Lyntia, Nokia, Digital Realty, evolutionQ, and OFS | Furukawa Solutions, conducted a groundbreaking test of low-latency fibre in data centers. The initiative aimed to secure fibre-optic links using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, demonstrating compatibility with innovative "Hollow Core" fibre, which reduces latency by over 30%. This test showcased the interoperability of QKD systems from LuxQuanta and ID Quantique, extending secure connections up to 200 kilometers. Eduardo Duato, CTO of Lyntia, emphasized their commitment to innovation and security. This collaboration highlights the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptographic solutions as quantum computing advances. **Conclusion** The developments in quantum computing and communications reflect a rapidly evolving landscape marked by strategic collaborations, significant investments, and groundbreaking research. As nations and corporations vie for leadership in this transformative field, the challenges of transparency, regulation, and technological hurdles remain. However, the potential benefits of quantum technologies in solving complex problems and enhancing security are undeniable, promising a future where quantum computing plays a central role in global innovation. **Headlines and Summary Bulletpoints** **Business Related News:** - **Title: "Quantum Leap: Strategic Partnerships and Investments Shaping the Future of Quantum Computing"** - INOX Group partners with IISc to establish a quantum materials lab, aiming to advance semiconductor and quantum technology in India. - The Albanese Government's $22.7 billion "Future Made in Australia" fund faces scrutiny over potential favoritism in quantum investments. - U.S. introduces interim export control rules for emerging technologies, including quantum tech, to balance security and commerce. - European Commission selects Amsterdam for a €20 million quantum computer initiative, boosting EU's quantum capabilities. **Research and Academia:** - **Title: "Pioneering Quantum Research: Breakthroughs and Collaborations in Quantum Computing and Cryptography"** - Dennis Willsch's research evaluates quantum computers' capabilities in factoring integers, highlighting cryptographic challenges. - University of Basel and QuantumBasel collaborate to enhance quantum algorithms and industrial applications in Switzerland. - TU Wien researchers measure quantum entanglement speed, revealing attosecond timescales and challenging traditional notions. - Riverlane's 2024 Quantum Error Correction Report emphasizes the necessity of QEC for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing.