TOKYO, Dec. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM
(NYSE: IBM) and the University of Tokyo announced today
an agreement to partner to advance quantum computing and make it
practical for the benefit of industry, science and society.
IBM and the University of Tokyo will
form the Japan – IBM Quantum
Partnership, a broad national partnership framework in which other
universities, industry, and government can engage. The partnership
will have three tracks of engagement: one focused on the
development of quantum applications with industry; another on
quantum computing system technology development; and the third
focused on advancing the state of quantum science and
education.
Under the agreement, an IBM Q System One, owned and
operated by IBM, will be installed in an IBM facility in
Japan. It will be the first
installation of its kind in the region and only the third in the
world following the United States
and Germany. The Q System One will be used to advance research
in quantum algorithms, applications and software, with the goal of
developing the first practical applications of quantum
computing.
IBM and the University of Tokyo will
also create a first-of-a-kind quantum system technology center
for the development of hardware components and technologies that
will be used in next generation quantum computers. The center will
include a laboratory facility to develop and test novel hardware
components for quantum computing, including advanced cryogenic and
microwave test capabilities.
IBM and the University of Tokyo will
also directly collaborate on foundational research topics
important to the advancement of quantum computing, and establish a
collaboration space on the University campus to engage students,
faculty, and industry researchers with seminars, workshops, and
events.
"Quantum computing is one of the most crucial technologies in
the coming decades, which is why we are setting up this broad
partnership framework with IBM, who is spearheading its commercial
application," said Makoto Gonokami, the President of the
University of Tokyo. "We expect this
effort to further strengthen Japan's quantum research and
development activities and build world-class talent".
Developed by researchers and engineers from IBM
Research and Systems, the IBM Q System One is optimized for
the quality, stability, reliability, and reproducibility of
multi-qubit operations. IBM established the IBM Q
NetworkTM, a community of Fortune 500 companies,
startups, academic institutions and research labs working with IBM
to advance quantum computing and explore practical applications for
business and science.
"This partnership will spark Japan's quantum research capabilities by
bringing together experts from industry, government and academia to
build and grow a community that underpins strategically significant
research and development activities to foster economic
opportunities across Japan", said
Dario Gil, Director of IBM
Research.
Advances in quantum computing could open the door to future
scientific discoveries such as new medicines and materials,
improvements in the optimization of supply chains, and new ways to
model financial data to better manage and reduce risk.
The University of Tokyo will lead
the Japan – IBM Quantum
Partnership and bring academic excellence from universities and
prominent research associations together with large-scale industry,
small and medium enterprises, startups as well as industrial
associations from diverse market sectors. A high priority will be
placed on building quantum programming as well as application and
technology development skills and expertise.
For more about IBM
Q: https://www.ibm.com/quantum-computing/
About University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo was
established in 1877 as the first national university in
Japan. As a leading research
university, the University of Tokyo
offers courses in essentially all academic disciplines at both
undergraduate and graduate levels and conducts research across the
full spectrum of academic activity. The University aims to provide
its students with a rich and varied academic environment that
ensures opportunities for both intellectual development and the
acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.
Contacts:
Chris Nay
IBM Research
cnay@us.ibm.com
Hazuki Ichinose
IBM Japan
+81 50 3150 5965
Hazuki.Ichinose@ibm.com
The University of Tokyo
External Relations Department
03-3815-8345
ext-info.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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SOURCE IBM