Quebec Innovation
The Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec (PINQ), a non-profit organization (NPO) formed by MEIE and IBM, is happy to announce the historic opening of an IBM Quantum System One at IBM Bromont. This ceremony symbolizes a turning point in information technology and all fields of innovation in Quebec, making PINQ the first Canadian administrator to launch and run an IBM Quantum System One. IBM’s worldwide fleet of quantum computers includes this powerful one.
This new quantum computer in Quebec strengthens Quebec and Canada’s leadership in quantum computing, offering new technical avenues for the province and nation. This technology benefits the DistriQ ecosystem, the quantum innovation zone for Quebec, Technum Québec, the future “Energy Transition Valley” innovation zone, and other critical industries for Quebec.
The installation of this IBM quantum computer is a huge step forward for Quebec’s quantum sciences ecosystem and our DistriQ innovation zones in Sherbrooke and Technum Québec in Bromont. This is a showcase for Quebec, which will be recognized as a leader in quantum sciences and international sustainable development, said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, Regional Economic Development, and Greater Montreal and the Montreal Region.
Richard St-Pierre, General Manager, DistriQ, Sherbrooke’s Quantum Innovation Zone, said, “The goal of DistriQ is to create the world’s largest commercial quantum research infrastructure.” “We are proud of this partnership because PINQ’s hybrid quantum computer is unique and powerful and will help Innovation Zone companies achieve their goals.”
PINQ may provide a hybrid computing method with access to an IBM Quantum System One and a high-performance computing center (HPC) in the Humano District in Sherbrooke. This technology will allow enterprises to use a complete variety of hybrid quantum computing services. With a concentration on healthcare, energy, manufacturing, the environment, and sustainable development, PINQ makes it simple and frictionless for organizations to evaluate digital and quantum technologies and advances in their operations.
PINQ and IBM will head a world-class quantum working group to explore quantum computing to solve sustainability problems as part of their July 2023 agreement. This working group will benefit from Hydro-Québec and the Université de Sherbrooke’s Institut Quantique.
The energy sector’s ongoing energy and digital transitions require more efficient R&D and application development calculations, which will grow significantly in the coming years, said Christian Bélanger, Senior Director – Research & Innovation at Hydro-Québec. We are working hard at our research center to address energy transition concerns. The quantum technologies PINQ provides provide exciting possibilities and extensive potential for Hydro-Québec to create energy and technical value. We will definitely explore and use these technologies as they evolve.”
Accelerate discovery
PINQ is the only Canadian organization with access to an IBM Quantum System One, and Quebec is the only other region outside the U.S. with an IBM Discovery Accelerator, high-performance computing infrastructure, and a quantum computer dedicated to research and industrial innovation.
Quantum computing is increasing rapidly. Jay Gambetta, Vice President, IBM Quantum, attributed this to a developing global ecosystem that pushes the limits. Our cooperation with PINQ to install an IBM Quantum System One in Quebec, Canada represents a milestone in quantum technical and scientific advancement and allows the region’s strong culture of creativity and talent to further expand quantum computing’s potential.”
The first quantum software development center
In addition, PINQ is happy to announce the launch of its Center of Excellence, which will provide companies and researchers access to its infrastructure to accelerate quantum technology adoption. The Center of Excellence will strengthen a quantum software community by making it easy to use, produce, and collaborate while creating software engineering standards.
The Center of Excellence will provide training, collaborative initiatives with universities and industry partners, and open-source algorithms to make quantum technology accessible to everybody. The École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) is the first partner in this endeavor, providing a team of researchers to democratize quantum software best practices.
Historical turning moment for province and nation
“Our passion for digital and quantum innovation drives us at PINQ,” stated General Manager Éric Capelle. Quebec and Canada reached a milestone with the launch of an IBM Quantum System One quantum computer. We are honored to contribute to this technological revolution.Along with this, PINQ is boosting its commercial services. Our collaboration with Canadian academic partners, including IVADO, Université de Sherbrooke, University of Saskatchewan, Quantum Algorithms Institute, and Concordia University, aims to train and develop quantum business solutions through the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Hybrid Software Engineering.
About PINQ
The Non-Profit Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation of Quebec was founded in 2020 by the Université de Sherbrooke and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy of Quebec. It helps firms accelerate their digital transformation, improve cooperation, streamline technology transfers across industries and research, and educate tomorrow’s people.
About IBM
IBM is a worldwide leader in hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting. We enable customers in over 175 countries maximise data insights, improve business processes, save expenses, and compete in their industries. IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift help over 4,000 government and business organizations in key infrastructure sectors including financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare modernize rapidly, securely, and effectively. IBM’s breakthrough AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consultancy provide customers flexible alternatives. IBM’s longstanding commitment to trust, openness, accountability, inclusion, and service supports this.
The IBM Quantum System One
Quantum computing uses quantum physics to tackle issues that even the most powerful supercomputers can’t. The first small integrated quantum system, IBM Quantum System One, optimizes stability, dependability, and continuous usage. It’s been installed in Germany, Japan, the US, and Canada. IBM’s new 127-qubit utility processor will increase coherence and reduce errors.
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