UAE’s technology breakthrough; Develops its first ‘Quantum Computer’

By Shilpa Annie Joseph, Official Reporter
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Quantum Computer
Representational Image

A research center in Abu Dhabi is all set to make the UAE’s first quantum computer, an important milestone of the region in this crucial period of computing.

UAE-based pioneering global research center Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has revealed that it’s Quantum Research Centre (QRC) team, led by Professor Jose Ignacio Latorre, will develop the quantum computer in collaboration with researchers from Barcelona’s Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech.

HE Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of ATRC said, “We are at the cusp of a new era with the advent of quantum computing. We are proud to embark on building one of these wonderful machines which will help us in various fields, from discovering new medicines to making new materials to designing better batteries to various Artificial Intelligence applications.”

Quantum Computer

A quantum computer uses quantum mechanics phenomena such as ‘superposition’ and ‘entanglement’ to produce and manipulate subatomic particles like electrons or photons (quantum bits also known as ‘qubits’), to build exponentially stronger processing powers that can help perform complicated calculations that will take much longer to solve even by the world’s most efficient classical supercomputers.

Professor José Ignacio Latorre
Prof José Ignacio Latorre
Chief Researcher – QRC

“The first step in the process is to build a laboratory, equip it and complete installation of the cleanroom equipment, all of which is on track. Once done, the first qubits will be prepared, characterized, and benchmarked. We expect the first simple quantum chips ‘Made in Abu Dhabi’ should come by the end of the summer. There are several technologies to construct quantum computers such as superconducting qubits, ion traps, optical qubits, and spin dots, adding QRC has opted to use superconducting qubits, which is the same technology that Google and IBM use in building their own quantum computers, and they offer the best qubit technology to scale to a larger quantum computer.”

Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is the dedicated ‘applied research’ pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). TII is a pioneering global research and development center that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities. The Institute has seven initial dedicated research centers in quantum, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy, and secure systems.

Quantum Research Centre (QRC)

Quantum Research Centre at Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has been created to develop world-class quantum-theoretical and experimental research by developing and operating a quantum computer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region while advancing quantum communications and quantum sensors. The Centre intends to develop ground-breaking innovations with the help of an international team of leading experts, to achieve a “Quantum Advantage” that will change the power and scope of computers.

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