Quantum takes a leap of faith

The Future Technologies Forum focused on tech sovereignty and its impact on geopolitics, and quantum supremacy in terms of practical applications and cybersecurity

Quantum computing, once a staple of science fiction, could now become a reality soon. Imagine someone informing you that this technological marvel might materialise before the world even fully realises its dream of 6G connectivity. How would you respond to such a remarkable possibility?

Perhaps, ahead of time, one would say, and that was exactly what the Future Technologies Forum (FTF) in Moscow, 9–14 July intended to showcase. The conference focused on various aspects of high-tech research and their impact on society, technological sovereignty and how it shapes geopolitics, and quantum supremacy in terms of its practical applications and to drive cybersecurity.

The Forum also deliberated on issues like the ethics of the digital world, hiring talent and retaining them, the challenges of taking quantum communication from the R&D stage to business, the impact on medicines and healthcare, quantum computing and sensors, quantum internet, and the quantum city of the future, among others.

The key highlight of the FTF: most experts working on quantum technologies in Russia were optimistic that the widespread practical use of quantum computing will begin as early as 2025, and by 2030, technological leadership will be impossible without quantum technologies.

The optimism was unequivocally reflected in the plenary session that was addressed by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. He pointed out that researchers in Russia are ready to tackle challenging scientific problems and clear the way for creating advanced solutions.

Talking about the role of technology and data in shaping the future world he proposed a new national project for the period to 2030, more specifically, a national project for forming a data economy, within a year.

“Let me emphasise, it is not just about consolidating existing tools to support the digital economy, Artificial Intelligence and high-tech projects, including roadmaps for advancing quantum technology, which you are discussing today and which the companies partly owned by the state are now trying to put into practice – but to implement the existing developments in this area in practice,” he said.

Putin further said that the country plans to present its case for collaboration at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit in Kazan next year. “With Russia holding the BRICS Presidency next year, we expect to discuss specific projects like this in several important areas with our partners, including cutting-edge computing technology, as well as data processing, storage and transmission technologies,” he said.

The President emphasised that the focus on future technologies aims to transition the economy, the social sector and the authorities to essentially new principles of work and to introduce big data-based governance. “We expect a truly wide-ranging multiplier effect from it. This will help increase the quality of governance and labour productivity many times over, create jobs requiring advanced skills and offering high salaries, ensure the availability of services and offer essentially new opportunities to our people.”

He pointed out that digital platforms will pave the way for the country’s advancement in various sectors, enabling the development of smart cities and unmanned systems, utilisation of digital twins of technical systems and production processes, expansion of precision agriculture, the elevation of logistics and energy capabilities, the growth of telemedicine and online education, as well as the seamless provision of government services and financial transactions.

WHERE RUSSIA STANDS

During the FTF Putin visited an exhibition of Russian quantum technology achievements by Rosatom and Russian Railways. Putin was shown the new 16-qubit trapped-ion-based quantum computer. During the demonstration, experts were able to launch an algorithm for calculating a simple molecule, modelling it in real-time, via a cloud platform.

Developed by a team of scientists from the Russian Quantum Centre (RQC) and the Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, it is the most powerful quantum computer in Russia. Notably, the team has also run useful, molecule-simulating computations on it.

The processor uses the quantum annealing technology that makes use of trapped ion qubits with integrated photonics. This approach enables higher qubit count scalability while reducing the impact of noise or the changes such as vibrations, electromagnetic interference, and temperature that may destroy qubits’ processing capabilities by collapsing the qubits’ entanglement and state. In simple terms, Russia’s quantum computer can perform practical tasks beyond scientific abstraction.

Reports indicate that quantum annealing systems, like the one used for the new 16-qubit quantum computer, can be used for solving real-world problems because they are much easier to scale and are extremely focused on what they attempt to do. The exhibition also showcased other practical uses for quantum communications by connecting the Centre for Managing and Monitoring the Russian Railways Quantum Network via videoconference.

In terms of using the new technology, the Russian Railways has already unveiled the plan to construct a backbone quantum network as part of the implementation of the Quantum Communications roadmap by 2030. Accordingly, the network will embrace 34 Russian regions to drive its adoption.

Besides, Russia is also developing other quantum computers. Among other programmes, the government announced in 2021 that it would invest USD 790 million in quantum computing research over the next five years. This investment is part of a larger effort by Russia to develop its technological capabilities and become a leader in the global economy.

MOSCOW’S INTEREST IN INDIA

In a bid to foster cross-border scientific advancements, Russian scientists have embarked on a series of collaborative missions with Indian institutes, signalling a promising initiative in quantum science and technology.

Speaking at the sidelines of the FTF, Ruslan Yunusov, Co-founder and CEO of Russian Quantum Centre (RQC) informed that the organisation was in discussions with academic and research institutions in India for collaboration to develop quantum applications and hardware for public use. While no official agreements or contracts have been signed to date, he indicated that formal deliberations on the matter could take place during the upcoming BRICS summit.

“The potential for cooperative ventures between scientists from both countries has generated considerable interest,” Yunusov stated.

Speaking to the media delegation from India, Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, National Physical Laboratory (NPL) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), pointed out that the world of quantum science demands diverse expertise and perspectives, and collaborative efforts are crucial for unlocking its vast potential. “The potential collaboration holds great promise for both nations. We stand to gain invaluable scientific insights from the Russian Quantum Centre, which can help us understand the potential of various quantum applications,” he said.

Achanta, who is working with the Indian government on its National Quantum Mission, also informed that during the last six months, Russian research teams have undertaken at least three visits to various Indian institutions, with a keen focus on exploring potential scientific collaborations.

Sharing more details on the possible collaboration, Aleksey Akimov, Principal Investigator – Quantum Simulators and Integrated Photonics group, RQC highlighted that Russia is eager to explore collaboration on advancing quantum computing capabilities with India. “RQC has successfully developed a 32-qubit quantum computer and is currently engaged in experimentation to apply quantum computing to public services. Collaborative efforts with India can focus on sharing technical expertise to establish standardised practices across diverse aspects of quantum computing,” Akimov explained.

Russia’s strategic focus on quantum technologies comes at a critical juncture when the world is just beginning to grasp its immense possibilities and implications. With its quantum annealing technology, Russia’s quantum computer holds promise for real-world problem-solving, transcending theoretical abstractions. Moreover, Russia’s interest in collaborating with India exemplifies the broader international efforts required to fully explore the multifaceted dimensions of quantum science and its applications.

In the coming years, Russia’s progress in quantum computing and its collaborative ventures could potentially reshape industries, redefine security measures, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

The author was in Moscow on an invitation from The Roscongress Foundation and Russian Quantum Centre to attend the Future Technologies Forum 2023.

shubhendup@cybermedia.co.in