ORNL Southeastern Quantum Conference fosters new US quantum partnerships

Oak Ridge National Laboratory hosted the three-day Southeastern Quantum Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, bringing together experts to accelerate the transition of quantum research into practical applications. The event featured a panel of directors from all five National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, signaling a shift in the nation’s quantum ecosystem from foundational research to scalable technologies. “The pace of innovation in quantum science depends on bringing together expertise from across the research community,” said Gina Tourassi, associate laboratory director for ORNL’s Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate, alongside Cynthia Jenks, associate laboratory director for ORNL’s Physical Sciences Directorate, as they welcomed attendees. The conference underscored the growing need for collaboration to integrate quantum technologies with artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. DOE Centers Advance Scalable Quantum Technologies & Applications OpenQSE, an international effort to establish common architectures for hybrid computing, exemplifies the growing emphasis on collaborative development within the quantum field, according to Travis Humble, director of the Quantum Science Center headquartered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The panel underscored a national shift in quantum research, moving beyond foundational studies toward technologies capable of scaling for practical applications and addressing complex scientific challenges. The five NQISRCs have evolved into complementary organizations, each possessing distinct strengths while prioritizing scalable quantum hardware, advanced materials, algorithm development, resource estimation, and workforce training, panelists reported. The conference and many of us at ORNL are exploring broad applications of quantum technology and if we are successful, the work represented at the Southeastern Quantum Conference will benefit society in ways that will be hard to imagine today. ORNL’s Hybrid Architectures Integrate Quantum with HPC & AI ORNL is actively developing hybrid quantum-classical computing architectures, combining its leadership-class supercomputers with emerging quantum technologies to accelerate scientific discovery, according to Humble. This approach moves beyond simply constructing quantum computers to focusing on their practical application within existing high-performance computing ecosystems. He emphasized that the future hinges on integrating quantum technologies with artificial intelligence and HPC, creating workflows capable of solving problems intractable for conventional systems. “The question is no longer simply how to build quantum computers. It’s how we use them,” Humble said. The lab’s Quantum Science Center integrates computational science, experimental research, and decision science to develop practical quantum technologies and scalable solutions for Department of Energy missions. OpenQSE, an international collaboration, exemplifies this partnership-driven approach by defining the next generation of scientific computing through common hybrid architectures. Nick Peters, section head of the Quantum Information Section at ORNL, highlighted the broader societal impact of this work. He explained that our current society is based upon innovations rooted in scientific discovery, constantly running in the background, largely unknown to those who benefit until a disruption occurs. Successful application of quantum technology promises benefits difficult to foresee, and the conference and many at ORNL are exploring broad applications of quantum technology. Humble concluded that this integration will deliver scientific impact and establish the quantum ecosystem needed for the post-exascale era. The question is no longer simply how to build quantum computers. It’s how we use them. Travis Humble, director of the Quantum Science Center (QSC) headquartered at ORNL Quantum Networking Focuses on Security and System Scalability The three-day Southeastern Quantum Conference concentrated efforts to move quantum research toward practical applications, with a particular emphasis on the challenges of building secure and scalable networks. Discussions revealed that progress in hardware, networking architectures, security protocols, and control systems are all vital components for realizing functional quantum networks. Experts acknowledged that constructing quantum computers is no longer the primary hurdle; instead, the focus has shifted to integrating these systems into existing infrastructure and ensuring data transmission remains secure. The event’s focus on networking reflects a growing recognition that quantum computers will not operate in isolation, and secure communication channels are paramount, demanding new approaches to encryption and data protection. The pace of innovation in quantum science depends on bringing together expertise from across the research community. Gina Tourassi, associate laboratory director for ORNL’s Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate Source: http://www.ornl.gov/news/ornl-hosts-southeastern-quantum-conference More like thisHigh Performance ComputingORNL: 20-Qubit IQM Radiance System Launches at Oak Ridge LabQuantum HardwareORNL deploys IQM Radiance 20-Qubit System at Oak Ridge National LaboratoryQuantum Computing Business NewsOak Ridge Lab Adds IQM Quantum Cloud Service for ResearchersHigh Performance ComputingNeutron Sources at ORNL Enable Quantum Material Discovery and DesignStay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: