An unfathomable leap forward in computing

Here’s a thing that not many people know about Vancouver: it’s one of the world’s centres for quantum computing.

The city is the home of pioneer D-Wave, which created the first commercially available quantum computer. Vancouver also houses 1QBit, a leader in general-purpose algorithms for quantum computing hardware, which has hefty funding record. Add to that businesses like Abaqus and Good Chemistry Company, Fujitsu’s quantum centre, and hubs at UBC, SFU, and others, and it starts to become apparent why the federal government is sinking tens of millions of dollars into a national quantum strategy.

Why should you pay attention? The tech has the potential to transform how we develop and design everything from life-saving drugs to next-generation batteries, and create an unfathomable leap forward in computing.

If, that is, we can get it to work.

Find out how and why Vancouver is at the centre of the futuristic tech.

Vancouver’s quantum computing industry is on the rise

The tech uses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are too complex for classical computers — including supercomputers, which are limited by the fact that they share the same underlying method of processing data as classical computers. Vancouver has consistently been at the forefront of research and commercializing the technology.

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Vancouver’s Quantum Gravity Society is one step closer to solving the biggest mystery of the universe

Unlocking quantum gravity will transform how societies communicate, grow food, transport people and goods, and produce clean energy. Vancouver’s newly formed Quantum Gravity Society believes it can help. Created in 2022 by a group of Canadian technology, business, and community leaders, as well as leading physicists, the organization is dedicated to unlocking the solutions to quantum questions.

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SFU’s Quantum Algorithms Institute looks to turn excitement into action

SFU Surrey’s Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI) has opened its doors to B.C.-based companies looking to explore or harness quantum technologies for their business. QAI’s mandate is to nurture a pipeline of talent in quantum information sciences, to facilitate quantum research partnerships addressing real-world challenges, and to support the commercialization of quantum technology.

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Five quantum cybersecurity facts every CTO needs to know

On the one hand, quantum computing research is exciting because it paves the way for practical applications ranging from artificial intelligence and computational chemistry to financial modelling and weather forecasting. On the other hand, this very same R&D is dramatically shrinking the amount of time we have until “Y2Q,” the unknown date when hackers will use quantum computers to defeat today’s ubiquitous public-key encryption systems.

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