Quantinuum and SoftBank Corp. join forces for the real-world use of quantum computing technology
SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum have joined forces in a groundbreaking partnership aimed at unlocking solutions beyond the limits of classical AI. This collaboration not only addresses unsolved challenges but also creates new market opportunities and fosters technological innovation across society.
Addressing the Challenges in Quantum Computing Adoption
The business adoption of quantum computing faces several technical and integration challenges. One of the key challenges is managing the exponentially growing combinatorial complexity in network optimization, such as carrier aggregation (CA) links in 5G networks. The complexity hinders efficient network optimization and capacity maximization.
To tackle these challenges, SoftBank, together with Quantinuum, is using a hybrid quantum-classical computing system to solve such complex optimization problems in radio access networks (RAN). Their proof-of-concept in Tokyo demonstrated that applying quantum computing can improve downlink data speeds by about 10% and increase data transmission capacity by up to 50% under carrier aggregation scenarios.
Building a Quantum Future
In addition to the hybrid approach, SoftBank is making strategic investments in quantum software companies like Classiq. The goal is to develop quantum software platforms that make complex quantum algorithms deployable on various quantum machines. This helps address the challenge of quantum hardware diversity by providing operating systems that are hardware-agnostic and can enable broader business use cases of quantum computing.
The partnership also aims to reduce investment risks through revenue and cost sharing. Both companies will develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs.
A Quantum Leap Forward
The collaboration aims to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach. AI is delivering impressive results, but struggles with complex optimisation problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations. The partnership aims to realize next-generation technologies through the fusion of AI and quantum computing.
SoftBank will provide its own business challenges as use cases for the collaboration. The collaboration aims to clarify use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis, with anticipated applications in All Optical Networks and SoftBank's communication network.
The Path Forward
The partnership expects to contribute to problem-solving in diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and energy. However, it is crucial to specifically identify the areas where computations can only be performed by quantum computers and are commercially viable. Predicting the timing and scale of these applications is necessary.
Moreover, business models for generating revenue in quantum computing, including methods of offering quantum computers and setting usage fees, have not yet been fully realized. Initial investment and operational costs for quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies, suppressing their development and adoption.
Despite these challenges, the partnership exemplifies how businesses are collaborating to advance the state-of-the-art for practical problem-solving in the quantum computing sector. SoftBank Corp. and Quantinuum are collaborating to realize a quantum data center in the Japanese market, using the Asia-Pacific region and other regions for global market research.
[1] SoftBank and Quantinuum Collaborate to Realize a Quantum Data Center in the Japanese Market [2] SoftBank and Quantinuum Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Quantum Computing Adoption [3] SoftBank Invests in Quantum Software Company Classiq to Advance Quantum Computing [4] SoftBank and Quantinuum Achieve Significant Improvements in Carrier Aggregation with Quantum Computing
- Leveraging artificial intelligence and quantum computing, SoftBank and Quantinuum aim to realize next-generation technologies by fusion, addressing complex optimization problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations, which are beyond the capabilities of AI alone.
- The partnership between SoftBank and Quantinuum is undertaking strategic investments in quantum software companies like Classiq, developing quantum software platforms to make complex quantum algorithms deployable on various quantum machines, and creating operating systems that are hardware-agnostic, addressing the challenge of quantum hardware diversity in the business use of quantum computing.
