Abu Dhabi-based Technology Innovation Institute to build the UAE’s first Quantum Computer
In a new milestone in the era of computing the region, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has announced that work is underway to build the UAE’s first Quantum Computer at its Quantum Research Centre labs. This was made possible in collaboration with Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech from Barcelona.
The TII is the dedicated ‘applied research’ pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) based in Abu Dhabi. The Quantum Research Center (QRC) team, which is lead by Chief Researcher Professor José Ignacio Latorre, will construct the quantum computer in the UAE.
“We are at the cusp of a new era with the advent of quantum computing,” H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of ATRC, said. “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 computers utilize quantum mechanics phenomena like superposition and entanglement to help generate and manipulate subatomic particles such as electrons and photons (quantum bits are also known as qubits) to create exponentially stronger processing powers. This in turn can help perform complex calculations that would usually take longer even when you use the most powerful supercomputer.
“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,” explains Prof. Latorre as he confirms that preparatory work has already begun.
He added that several technologies used to construct quantum computers which include superconducting qubits, ion traps, optical qubits, and spin dots. Superconducting qubits is the same technology that Google and IBM use in building their own quantum computers.
Tech Enthusiast and Movie Buff. When he’s not busy playing with the latest games, Victor usually spends his time collecting Blu-rays and building his own movie library. As the Online Editor for T3 Middle East, he develops and writes content for www.T3ME.com which includes reviews, features, and videos in addition to managing its social media and web content.
