The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) established the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT) on July 27th, 2023.
Progress of information technology increases the demand for developing innovative technology to analyze a large-scale database rapidly and efficiently. G-QuAT plans to establish advanced convergence computational technology by utilizing quantum computing technology and classical computing technology, e.g. AI technology, that are suitable for information processing in a mutually complementary manner. Furthermore, use case creation of quantum computers is addressed towards social implementation of advanced convergence computational technology. For example, predictions to ease traffic jams or optimization of electric demand responses will be available by utilizing convergence of combinatorial optimization, which is a strong point of quantum computers, and machine learning excelling at predictions. G-QuAT also plans to establish an evaluation method and lead toward its standardization to build resilience in the supply chain of high-performance materials/components. Furthermore, R&D of large-scale integration of quantum bits will continue to be tackled as part of the development of quantum devices. Through these initiatives, G-QuAT promotes the social implementation of advanced convergence computational technology and aims to build a global business ecosystem to solve economic and social issues, create a new market, and pioneer aftermarkets from the benefits.
The advanced convergence computational technology, which is representative of advanced and important technology that potentially solves many social issues, should be possessed by Japan from the perspective of economic security, as international competition intensifies. Based on the “Vision of Quantum Future Society” (April 2022) formulated in the integrated innovation strategy of the Cabinet Office, the establishment of a global R&D hub to industrialize advanced convergence computational technology was expressed in the “Strategy of Quantum Future Industry Development” (April 2023), keeping in mind involvement of global companies and startups, for Japan to be the hub of a global innovation network for the industrial application of advanced convergence computational technology. Accordingly, this policy heightens the momentum towards the social implementation of advanced convergence computational technologies in Japan. Considering this trend, AIST has advanced with the preparation of a research center, which aims to create a new market for advanced convergence computational technology based on social implementation and to solve economic and social issues, to obtain Japan’s competitive advantage in quantum technology through building a global business ecosystem pioneering aftermarkets.
The advanced convergence computational technology being addressed in G-QuAT is an R&D field highly attracting attention around the world. Related technologies are spread broadly, and international competition is intensifying. To perform R&D toward pioneering business development, agile research activities are necessary beyond the existing research fields. For this reason, G-QuAT was established directly under the leadership of the chief technical officer who manages all research areas addressed in AIST and is composed of six research teams and a planning office.
G-QuAT mainly focuses on the following three R&D topics.
The first topic is use case creation of advanced convergence computational technology. To this end, a GPU supercomputer (ABCI-Q), which is suitable for operating quantum simulators will be newly introduced, an integrated cloud environment composed of a quantum/classical hybrid annealing machine and a quantum-computing simulator is installed, and R&D is addressed in cooperation with user companies. The second is building resilience in the supply chain and supporting productization by companies. G-QuAT prepared an evaluation system at low temperatures for large-scale quantum hardware, such as the quantum annealing machine/quantum computer, which responds at most a thousand quantum bits, and a platform for integration and performance evaluation by user companies. In addition, another evaluation system will also be prepared for components at operation temperatures, e.g. from room temperature to low temperatures (~10 mK). Through these platforms, evaluation, authentication, and standardization are performed for the components developed by companies. The third is large-scale integration of quantum bits. G-QuAT plans to prepare platforms to manufacture quantum prototype devices, and to develop optimized devices for quantum annealing machines, packaging technology of more than 100 quantum bits by three-dimensional packaging technique, integration technology for silicon-based quantum bits, and a quantum-bit circuit for fault-tolerant quantum computers (FTQC).
Through the abovementioned R&D topics, G-QuAT aims to build a global business ecosystem, to solve economic and social issues, create a new market, and to pioneer aftermarkets through the benefits. An international advisory board, which consists of representatives from academia and the quantum industry from Japan and abroad, will also be launched for the development of strategies to expand the global presence of G-QuAT through advisement, suggestions, and support from international and diversified viewpoints. Furthermore, G-QuAT promotes cooperation with domestic and overseas companies providing services of advanced convergence computational technology and will become the hub of global and industrial talent development for advanced convergence computational technology.
Planning Office, Global Research and Development Hub for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan
Press Office, Branding and Public Relations Department, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
https://www.aist.go.jp/
E-mail: hodo-ml*aist.go.jp (Please convert "*" to "@".)