University of Oxford Becomes UK Collaborator in IBM’s Quantum Computing Network

Posted on

Thursday, 14 December 2017

IBM announced today the first clients to tap into its IBM Q early-access commercial quantum computing systems, with the University of Oxford as a collaborator in the UK.

Oxford, as part of a select group of global leaders, will be an initial member of the newly formed IBM Q Network, a collaboration of leading Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions and national research labs working directly with IBM to explore potential practical applications using IBM’s quantum computing systems.

Oxford and IBM are both dedicating considerable resources to this exciting new field of quantum information technologies – both hardware and software – for research and commercial applications.

NQIT will be leading this collaboration in Oxford. As a result of the collaboration, Oxford will serve as the IBM Q Network Hub in the UK, supporting others in using the IBM Q systems and will be able to collaborate with companies and other universities, adding to existing NQIT and Oxford research and quantum computing developments. This places NQIT and Oxford at the centre of the burgeoning quantum technology industry in the UK.

NQIT is concurrently developing its own quantum computer based on an innovative networked, hybrid light-matter approach. This development is part of the UK national effort in quantum computing, positioning the UK to be a leader in the challenge of developing software and algorithms for quantum computers. These will demonstrate the new and unique capabilities of this technology in areas such as medicine, transport, engineering, finance, materials and chemistry.

Professor Ian Walmsley, Hooke Professor of Experimental Physics, Director of the Networked Quantum Information Technologies (NQIT) Hub and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, says:

“I am delighted with this new collaboration with IBM. Working with one of the world's leading information technology companies to develop new applications for a quantum computer will enhance Oxford’s and the UK’s capability in quantum technology, by providing a unique resource for the Oxford-led Networked Quantum Information Technologies (NQIT) Hub. NQIT’s emulator programme will work with IBM to convene scientists, engineers and industrial researchers and developers across a wider range of fields, from simulating new molecules to enhancing artificial intelligence to show how quantum computers can dramatically transform their ideas and businesses.”

About IBM Q

IBM Q is an industry-first initiative to build commercial universal quantum computing systems for business and science applications. For more information about IBM’s quantum computing efforts, please visit www.ibm.com/ibmq.