Projects

Quantum Computing developments

The beginning of a new revolution: the development and use of quantum computers

Funding: IFAB call for projects

Enabling technology: Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning

Sustainable Development Goals

The world we live in is marked by an enormous volume of interconnected information: this is the greatest effect of the digital revolution, which has long since introduced into our lives actions such as encoding, producing, and using countless quantities of data.

This is therefore a matter of scale, closely tied to the tools used to process and access that data: in a context of hyper-information, the processing role played daily by computers is nothing short of essential. “Quantum Computing Development” is the project that fits into this scenario, contributing to the development, testing, and optimization of new quantum computing technologies — the new computing paradigm that, in all likelihood, will over the next twenty years first complement and then replace classical supercomputing.

Objectives

Developing quantum algorithms for hybrid machine learning and optimization.

Exploring applications in industry, finance, sociology, medicine, logistics, cryptography, and more.

Understanding the limits and potential of quantum computers.

Initial challenge

What is a quantum computer? It is a tool that makes it possible to go beyond the computing capabilities of classical computers, thanks to the introduction of quantum mechanics into its operating principles. Compared to a classical computer, which works according to a binary, sequential logic, a quantum computer processes information in a parallel and simultaneous way (quantum parallelism): this shift proves fundamental, as it allows the machine to handle a far greater amount of information, drastically reduce processing time, and ultimately improve the performance and efficiency of computational output.

Quantum algorithms are particularly effective in tackling optimization problems, as well as in cryptography and neural network training. Already today we can identify their main application opportunities. A few examples: in economics, for investment portfolio optimization; in mobility, for managing traffic flows and optimizing logistics resources; in the chemical/pharmaceutical field, for molecule testing and drug experimentation; and in improving the efficiency of the machine learning algorithms underlying digital platforms such as Google and social networks.

The world we are helping to create requires — and will continue to require, with growing urgency — the availability of extremely powerful computers, capable of smoothly and quickly handling increasingly complex and interconnected volumes of information: quantum computing is the answer to this need, and “Quantum Computing Development” is the project that, in Italy and in Emilia-Romagna, focuses on carrying out experiments aimed at developing and implementing the practical applications of this hugely important new tool.

Solution

This project is part of IFAB’s strategy to turn the Bologna hub into the European reference point for the industrial and financial applications of supercomputing technologies, establishing within it a research group that will enable:

the Foundation itself to take part in the national research effort in the relevant field of quantum computing;

the Foundation’s inclusion in the European research program on quantum computing;

the Bologna-Emilia-Romagna Data Valley hub to be recognized at the European level as the reference point for industrial and financial applications of supercomputing technologies;

companies based in the region, as well as Italian companies more broadly, to gain easy access to scientific supercomputing and, in particular, to quantum methodologies for solving complex problems.

Benefits

The project involves developing quantum algorithms for hybrid machine learning and the optimization of combinatorial computing problems, aimed at applications across a wide range of fields: industry, finance, sociology, medicine, and urban systems.

In particular, the project explores possible applications relevant to the business sector, which specifically may include:

Optimizing logistics processes in the telecommunications field;
Optimizing financial portfolios;
Analyzing social networks;
Image-based diagnostics;
Intelligent traffic management for a fleet of autonomous vehicles;
Simulating chemical-physical systems for pharmaceutical synthesis;
Enhancing machine learning algorithms for predictive purposes;

and which could also serve as a research basis for collaboration with other European partners, within large-scale programs, extending to problems such as:

Solving nonlinear equations for aerodynamic modeling;
Simulating large-scale weather phenomena;
Efficient information search within a database;
Cryptographic protocols.

It gives companies in Emilia-Romagna and throughout Italy access to simple methods for high-performance scientific computing and, in particular, to quantum approaches for solving complex problems.

IFAB’s role

IFAB took part in the project as a funding body, selecting it as part of its investment lines in research, innovation, and technology transfer. IFAB’s contribution consisted of recognizing the project’s scientific and practical value and providing financial support, making it possible to carry out the research activities conducted by the technical partners. This involvement confirms IFAB’s mission as an accelerator of high-impact initiatives for the local area and productive system.