SoftBank and Quantinuum have agreed to a wide-ranging partnership in quantum computing, where they will combine their respective strengths and unlock innovative quantum computing solutions to overcome the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) and realise next-generation technologies.
This initiative coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) this year.
There remain significant challenges in applying AI such as complex optimisation problems, deciphering casual relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations.
The hybrid approach that combines Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) holds the potential to further extend the capabilities of AI. By leveraging the strengths of each type of processing unit, hybrid systems can execute more advanced and diverse computations.
In spite of growth in the quantum computing sector, technical and business challenges need to be addressed so quantum computers are used to solve practical problems.
1. Building a business model
- Initial investment and operational costs: the substantial initial investment and operational costs required for the development and deployment of quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies, which in turn suppresses the drive for companies to develop and adopt the technology
- Clarification of revenue models: the business models for generating revenue, which includes the methods of offering quantum computers and setting usage fees, have not yet been fully realised
2. Establishing specific use cases
- Discovering use cases: there is currently a shortage of use cases that clearly demonstrate which fields quantum computers will be useful in. Understanding the market size and revenue models through clear examples, especially in areas such as quantum chemical calculations and machine learning, is essential
- Understanding the market and revenue predictions: it is crucial to specifically identify the areas where computations can only be performed by quantum computers and are commercially viable, as well as to predict the timing and scale of these applications
3. Advancing hardware and software technologies
- Limitations and challenges of hardware: the current hardware performance (number of qubits and operation precision) of quantum computers is inadequate for handling practical problems, and significant enhancements in performance are needed for practical use
- Software development and error mitigation: the development of hybrid algorithms that combine traditional methods, as well as advancements in error suppression, mitigation, and correction technologies, are crucial to enable practical computations. Furthermore, developing technologies that mutually complement hardware and software are also indispensable
- Timing for service provision: making decisions based on a deep understanding of technology to provide services at the optimal timing requires assessing the speed of technological advancements and market needs
SoftBank and Quantinuum are committed to addressing these challenges together to advance the practical application of quantum computers.
1. Joint market research and business model development
- With a view toward the realisation of a ‘quantum data centre’ capable of performing advanced calculation processing by combining CPUs, GPUs and quantum computers (QPUs), both companies will use the Japanese market as a foothold to conduct global market research in the Asia-Pacific region and other regions, and explore specific business models based on that research
- Both companies will jointly consider methods to reduce investment risks, such as revenue sharing and cost sharing
2. Construction of quantum use-case timelines
- SoftBank will provide its own business challenges as use cases
- Both companies will clarify use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis, and construct a timeline showing when these use cases will be realised. In quantum chemistry, the search for new optical switch materials for All Optical Networks is predicted, while in network analysis, the application to anomaly detection and fraud detection in SoftBank’s communication network is envisioned
- Both companies will develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources, and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs
“SoftBank believes in the potential of quantum computers and has been testing and evaluating various internal issues using quantum computers, and has started to obtain certain results,” said Ryuji Wakikawa, Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology, SoftBank. “However, as a telecommunications operator, there are still many challenges remaining regarding how to provide quantum computing services in Japan.
“Through our collaboration with Quantinuum, which possesses the world’s highest-performance quantum computer hardware, we aim to be the first in the world to identify problems that can only be solved by quantum computers and look forward to significantly accelerating the practical application of quantum computing.”
“Our partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of quantum computing. By combining our strengths, we are poised to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where quantum technologies drive transformative advancements across multiple industries,” added Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum.
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