Quantum Ecosystem Insights: Highlights from Applied Intelligence Live! Austin 2023

At the Applied Intelligence Live! event in Austin, Clena Abuan, a principal in digital science at BP, and Xavier Jackson, a digital science graduate, provided insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum computing. Their discussion focused on three key areas: the role of BP's digital science team, the development of the quantum computing ecosystem, and BP's strategies for integrating emerging technologies.

Abuan highlighted that BP has been exploring quantum technologies since late 2016, as part of their digital research and development initiative. “We began with a fundamental question: Are these technologies transformative for our organization? If so, do they require deliberate nurturing, or can they be readily adopted?” she explained. The team's purpose is not merely to develop immediate applications but to investigate technologies projected to have a significant impact in the next five to ten years. This forward-thinking approach allows them to explore how quantum computing can be integrated with existing systems for future applications.

During their presentation, Abuan remarked on the current state of quantum computing: “In the past, quantum computers were confined mostly to laboratory settings. Today, major tech corporations are actively participating in the quantum ecosystem by developing hardware, investing in technology, or offering cloud services.” Earlier this year, Intel made strides by introducing a silicon spin chip available to research institutions and national laboratories, marking an important step in making quantum technologies more accessible.

Though big tech companies are already engaged in the quantum landscape, the technology is still in the noisy, intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era. For practical quantum applications, scalability is essential. Last year, IBM unveiled a quantum processor with 433 qubits, yet thousands or even millions will be necessary for commercial viability, according to Abuan. She identified three critical development areas required to advance toward commercial quantum computing: the invention of new qubit modalities, the implementation of error correction techniques, and innovations in application-hardware interfacing.

Abuan also emphasized that quantum computing is not expected to supplant classical computing. “Rather, it will complement it, offering extraordinary capabilities in specific fields," she noted. "Applications in simulating complex natural systems—particularly in chemistry, biology, and physics—represent an area where, as technology evolves, we might tackle previously unsolvable problems.”

Jackson expanded on the evolutionary role of quantum technology within the broader ecosystem, stating that current NISQ technologies could serve as preparation for robust, fault-tolerant quantum computers. “Researchers are at a juncture where they must discern the most effective algorithms,” he said. “Our task is to learn from existing NISQ systems to gain insights, positioned to maximize our readiness when fault tolerance is achieved.”

He likened this development to advancements in quantum chemistry, emphasizing the challenges of modeling intricate systems. “Once quantum computing reaches a fault-tolerant state, it will unlock understanding of elements that have previously eluded us," he suggested. "We will not only validate existing theories but gain clarity on why certain solutions work.”

Abuan pointed out that while their current research leans towards experimental, there are tangible use cases relevant to BP’s operations. “One area of focus is optimization, crucial for any organization reliant on logistics,” she said. “We are exploring potential synergies between AI and quantum technologies, examining both immediate applications in the NISQ context and fundamental research into the algorithms needed for performing quantum simulations on reactions that matter to us in the long term.”

Through collaboration and exploration of quantum technologies, BP is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in the energy sector, preparing to leverage this powerful tool in both its current operations and future endeavors.