Latest news with #quantumtechnology
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's quantum satellite can be hacked, Singapore-based scientist warns
China 's quantum satellite could potentially be hacked due to tiny delays between its onboard lasers that could be exploited by eavesdroppers in an attack, a former Russia -based quantum researcher who is now working in Singapore has warned. Advertisement The tiny delays could provide 'ample opportunities' to hack Micius, the world's first quantum satellite , whose performance is key to expanding China's quantum communication network. Quantum communication is a form of information transfer that relies on quantum physics-based cryptography to encode data in single light particles called photons. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one method that relies on exchanging secret keys between two parties used to decrypt the information, which makes it difficult for eavesdroppers to listen in and is theoretically unhackable. 'However, it is widely known that realistic QKD devices can be vulnerable to various types of side-channel attacks that rely on flaws in experimental implementation,' said quantum researcher Alexander Miller in a non-peer-reviewed paper submitted online on May 10. Advertisement After analysing data obtained during communication between a ground station and Micius, Miller found time delays between the lasers on the quantum transmitter on board, which showed that the 'distribution of quantum keys from Micius was insecure'.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Breakthrough: Quantum computers made 90% more energy efficient, smaller, and faster
Canadian company Nord Quantique has developed a novel method to improve quantum error correction (QEC) that will help develop smaller and energy-efficient quantum computers in the future. Dubbed Tesseract code, the approach combines multimode encoding with bosonic qubit technology, which protects the system from multiple common errors seen in quantum systems. Quantum computers are the next big thing in computing technology, promising to solve challenges like climate change, drug discovery, and much more for humanity. Unlike classical computers that use bits to store and process information, quantum computers leverage quantum states of materials for processing data. Called quantum bits or qubits, these data storage units can occupy multiple states simultaneously, referred to as superposition, unlike binary bits' on or off state. This allows qubits to process information at exponential rates compared to classical bits. However, this also increases the likelihood of accumulating errors during the process, prompting the need to build robust quantum error correction (QEC) systems. Since quantum computing systems operate at ultra-low temperatures, deploying QEC systems is an additional cost associated with quantum computing in terms of money spent and energy consumption. Nord Quantique's innovative approach solves both problems in one. The Tesseract Code uses bosonic qubit technology that protects the quantum system from bit flips, phase flips, and control errors. Since this is coupled with multimode encoding, the QEC prevents leakage errors. According to the company's research paper, Nord uses a completely autonomous error correction system capable of mid-circuit measurements, which can identify and discard flagged realizations during the computation. This is referred to as erasure-based error suppression. "Using physical qubits to create redundancy makes the system large, inefficient, and complex, which also increases energy requirements," said Julien Camirand-Lemyre, CEO of Nord Quantique, in a press release. "Multimode encoding allows us to build quantum computers with excellent error correction capabilities, but without the impediment of all those physical qubits." In a demonstration, the company filtered out imperfect runs and discarded 12.6 percent of data for each round of 32 error correction cycles with no measurable decay. As more modes are added, the Tesseract code is also expected to deliver more QEC benefits. The major advantage of this approach is that it builds not just fault-tolerant but also efficient quantum systems. The company estimates that its 1,000 logical qubit quantum computer will take just 20 square meters of space and easily fit inside a data center. In terms of energy savings, the researchers estimate that the cryptographic algorithm RSA-830 can be computed at speeds of 1 MHz in just one hour on their quantum computer using 120 kWh of energy. In comparison, classical high-performance computing would need nine days of computing time with an estimated energy expenditure of 280,000 kWh, showcasing significant time and energy savings when using quantum computing. Interestingly, Norq Quantifique's approach also ensures that its physical and logical qubits are identical. A 1,000-qubit quantum computer with physical and logical qubits in a 1:1 ratio will arrive in 2029.
Bloomberg
20-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Quantinuum CEO Rajeeb Hazra on US-Qatar Quantum Deal
Rajeeb Hazra, President & CEO of Quantinuum speaks to Bloomberg's Tom Mackenzie from the annual Qatar Economic Forum in Doha about their new deal with the US as it becomes one of the partnerships in the $1 billion fund the US has set aside to invest in quantum technologies. (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba to revamp strategy to industrialize quantum tech
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that his government will "drastically strengthen" its strategy to industrialize quantum technology, amid growing international competition in this field. Positioning this year as "the first year of quantum industrialization," Ishiba indicated that the government will promote support for related startups and human resource development. Quantum technology is "expected to become a new industrial pillar of our country, and also important for economic security," the prime minister told reporters in the city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. While in the city, Ishiba visited the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology under the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, or AIST. He inspected quantum computing research and interacted with researchers there.
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Nations that invest in quantum today will lead tomorrow
The UN has designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum to honor the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics. Yet, as we look back on a century of quantum, we must also look ahead and prepare for the unprecedented economic, social and policy transformations that the accelerating advance of quantum technologies will surely bring. The question is no longer 'if' or 'when,' but 'how' nations, industries and societies must ready themselves for this quantum future. In Saudi Arabia, steps have been taken to harness the opportunities of quantum technologies — yet continued, coordinated efforts are needed to ensure the transformation is sustainable, responsible and equitable. Quantum technology is already changing how we work, from expediting medical breakthroughs to enhancing cybersecurity. According to some predictions, it could potentially generate up to $1.3 trillion in economic value by 2035. However, significant challenges remain, including security risks, high barriers to entry and regulatory uncertainty as governments navigate this complex, emerging field. The quantum race has already begun. In the private sector, tech companies such as Nvidia, Google, Microsoft and Classiq are developing commercial solutions, while countries around the world are implementing national strategies. The US has advanced with its National Quantum Initiative, committing more than $4.1 billion to research and innovation. China, with an estimated $15 billion in public funding, is prioritizing quantum communication and encryption, exemplified by its QUESS satellite. The EU's $1.08 billion Quantum Flagship aims to build a secure quantum network across Europe, and the UK, with $4.2 billion in investments, is developing its own quantum ecosystem through dedicated research hubs. Simply put, nations that act now will lead tomorrow. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Saudi Arabia as it drives forward Vision 2030, which prioritizes technological innovation and strategic geopolitical leadership. Within the private sector, companies including Saudi Aramco and Pasqal are collaborating to deploy the country's first quantum computer. However, the wide-ranging potential of quantum technology demands cross-sector coordination between public and private actors, supported by effective awareness campaigns. The Kingdom has taken major steps to accelerate its quantum ambitions, becoming the first nation to pilot the World Economic Forum's Quantum Economy Blueprint. At Saudi Arabia's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Saudi Arabia), an affiliate of the World Economic Forum, we are helping guide this preparation through a forthcoming comprehensive national quantum roadmap. This roadmap identifies investment, education, research and development, and strategy as four key factors in quantum readiness. It is a core component of our Quantum Economy Project and is supported by our Quantum Economy Landscape in Saudi Arabia report. With quantum transformation no longer a distant prospect but a present-day priority, clear strategies are more important than ever. Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan Significant investments are already underway from the Kingdom's industrial powerhouses, such as NEOM's Quantum Nexus. Yet a sustainable and equitable quantum economy must also empower small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs. C4IR Saudi Arabia and the World Economic Forum recently launched the Quantum for Society Challenge via the UpLink platform, seeking scalable quantum solutions in climate, healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing. The top innovators were announced in April, showcasing the range of quantum-enabled opportunities already being realized — and hinting at many more to come. Yet quantum preparedness is not only about advancing technology — it's about people, too. Future-ready education must build the highly specialized skills a quantum workforce requires, elevating interdisciplinary talent to drive both innovation and commercialization. Seven Saudi universities have already established advanced quantum programs, and institutions such as the National Information Technology Academy, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming, through TUWAIQ Academy, are nurturing a skilled workforce through internships, specialized training and skill transition programs. But to fully realize the Kingdom's ambitions and build a globally competitive quantum workforce, deeper collaboration among universities, industry leaders, research institutions and government bodies will be essential. Saudi Arabia's momentum in research and development is also accelerating. Quantum-related publications from Saudi institutions increased from just 20 in 2010 to more than 180 by 2024, and key stakeholders — including the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, STC Group and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals' Intelligent Secure Systems Center — are advancing projects in superconducting quantum circuits, quantum emulation and quantum communication. Meanwhile, King Saud University has established its Center of Excellence in Information Assurance, focusing on information security and post-quantum cryptography — both critical to securing the future of digital communications. Even as investments and R&D grow, more must be done to improve public understanding of quantum science and technology (even Einstein once described quantum phenomena as 'spooky action at a distance'). C4IR Saudi Arabia has been actively supporting this effort, recently hosting the Kingdom's World Quantum Day celebrations and bringing together leaders from government, academia and industry — as well as the general public — to explore how quantum can and will shape our shared future. With quantum transformation no longer a distant prospect but a present-day priority, clear strategies are more important than ever. Supported by the efforts of C4IR Saudi Arabia and others, the Kingdom has laid a strong foundation for a quantum-powered future — investing in talent, forging strategic partnerships and establishing a clear national direction to ensure the transformation is inclusive, secure and impactful. Equally important is the creation of a governance consortium that unites government, academia and industry to ensure quantum technologies are developed responsibly, equitably and with long-term resilience in mind. Looking forward, staying ahead means working together. C4IR Saudi Arabia is proud to be playing a role through our quantum roadmap, but this is a space in which everyone can participate — whether by investing, strategizing, exploring or learning — to ensure our quantum future benefits all. • Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan leads Saudi Arabia's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driving national strategies in AI, emerging tech, and digital transformation.
