Quantum Computing Major Players shortlist

Want a job in quantum? Want more insight into the world of quantum? These are the companies and institutions to watch

Private Sector:

Invest, invest, invest! These companies are the ones pioneering the way for quantum computers in industry.

• Microsoft

The company who’s mantra was once “A PC in every home, on every desk and in every home” is now setting its sights on a… quantum PC on every desk and in every home.

Sort of, but not really. CEO Satya Nadella has named quantum computing as one of the three technologies that Microsoft will focus its R&D efforts on (along with Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence). Microsoft is taking a different approach to many of its competitors by focusing its efforts on developing software architecture and platforms that would be able to run on quantum computers.

Microsoft has even gone so far as to create its own programming language for quantum computers, which unnamed is as of the date of this article.

If we’re being honest, this is a savvy move. The quantum hardware space is going to be expensive to get into, not to mention there’s already some big name competition there. By focusing its efforts on software, Microsoft is ensuring that it will be a major, if not the dominant, player in the quantum software space.

Let’s be real though.. quantum computers are fast, but I don’t think anything can help Internet Explorer.

• IBM

IBM is diving headfirst into the world of quantum, quickly establishing itself on the forefront of industry research in the area. The tech behemoth is hoping to reinvigorate its hardware business and recently established itself as a dominant player with a 50 qubit computer.

IBM is also encouraging budding quantum developers to play around with a smaller, 20 qubit computer it has via its cloud services. It’s a smart move because it brings traffic to their cloud services while also training future engineers on their systems.

With literally billions of US dollars in its budget, a history of success in the industry, and a drive to win, IBM is a company to keep an eye on in the quantum computing space these next few years.

• D-Wave Systems

The David to all of these nerdy tech Goliaths. D-Wave is a relatively small company out of Australia that has been gunning for the quantum computing throne. Founded in 1999, D-Wave is one of the earlier players in the quantum computing game. They are one of the few companies to have a working quantum computer prototype

Self-dubbed “The Quantum Computing Company”, D-Wave’s most recent quantum computer is the D-Wave 2000Q. Packing a whopping 2048 qubits, D-Wave is being courted by everyone, from defense contractors like Lockheed Martin to tech giants such as Google.

D-Wave has the distinction of completing the first public demonstration of a quantum computer, which it did in 2007 in Mountain View, CA. Oh wait, is there something else in Mountain View? Something that might want to compete in an up and coming field of technology? Oh yeah, it’s:

• Alphabet (Google)

Google is pretty new to the quantum computing sphere, but let’s be honest, when Google gets its engineers to put their minds to something, they usually come out on top (except for the Google Glass, rest in peace).

Google’s formidable research division has come up with a blueprint for a quantum computer, and they are racing to complete it.

• Intel

Intel currently makes computer chips. So what did they decide to do when they heard about all of this new-fangled quantum computing baloney? They made a quantum computing chip.

Intel currently has a prototype for a 17-qubit superconducting chip. As the dominating player in computer chips, Intel has every reason to invest in quantum research in order to stay on top. It’s smart, they don’t need some upstart startup disrupting their core business when quantum computing becomes more mainstream.

Plus, no one wants to think about having an AMD quantum chip in their computer. (shudders)

Public Sector:

• The United States

Towards the end of his tenure, President Obama and his White House stated that the United States needs to invest more money into quantum computing research. Why? Because the U.S. does not want to fall behind other world superpowers in what has shaped up to be a continual technology arms race, particularly around technology. Quantum computers are good for hacking. You know who doesn’t want to be hacked? The president. Not being hacked is important, just ask Hillary Clinton.

President Trump’s White House has yet to announce any plans regarding quantum computing. Stay tuned!

• Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at a normal news conference talking about the importance of quantum computing when a reporter asked him if he even understood what quantum computing was. He stunned the world by keeping his cool and going into a high-level, pretty accurate description of what quantum computing is and why it’s important to get ahead on it.

Back in 2015, the Canadian government put 15 million Canadian dollars over a period of 3 years into quantum computing research. That’s a lot of money that could’ve gone towards maple syrup production.

More recently, the Canadian government funded 80.9 million CAD into the Canadian space program, which in part supports a quantum satellite program.

Never count the Canucks out, eh?

• China

In a major one-two punch in the fall of 2017, China transmitted data with its first quantum satellite, and a few months announced a $10 billion quantum computer center. China has reason to gun for the top spot in quantum computing. Being the first could give it a lot more technological power relative to other world powers that it competes with both in terms of political influence and the economy.

• Singapore

The city that looks like it’s in the future is itching to get in the quantum computing ring. Singapore boasts THE Centre for Quantum Technologies. The center is regarded to be one of the most cutting-edge institutions in the space.

• The European Commission

For decades, Europeans across the continent were busy eating baguettes and drinking fine wine and forgetting to invest in quantum computing. Or maybe that was just the French.

But no longer! In an effort to make up lost ground, the European Commission announced a €1 billion initiative to catch up on quantum technologies, starting in 2018.

Imagine, with the power of quantum computers, the entire continent could watch virtual FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid matches all the time! What else could you ask for in Europe?

Academia:

• The University of Waterloo

Arguably the most prestigious Ph.D. program in Quantum Computing currently resides here. With a dedicated center for quantum computing, this computer science powerhouse is THE place to go right now if you want to go into research in quantum computing.

Did we miss a place? Are you excited about all of the quantum computing action happening? Let us know!