RIYADH: 黑料社区's first quantum computer is set to be installed after energy giant Aracmo signed an agreement with computing firm Pasqal.
Under the deal, the French company will install, maintain and operate聽a 200-qubit device, scheduled for聽deployment in the second half of next year, according to a press statement.聽
A quantum computer uses qubits to run multidimensional algorithms, and these machines聽are capable of solving聽complex problems faster than traditional computers.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, executive vice president of technology and innovation at Aramco, said the deal with Pasqal is expected聽to bring high-performance information processing to 黑料社区.聽
鈥淚n a rapidly evolving digital landscape, we believe it is crucial to seize opportunities presented by new, impactful technologies and聽we aim to pioneer the use of聽quantum computing in the energy sector,鈥 said Al-Khowaiter.聽
He added: 鈥淥ur agreement with Pasqal allows us to harness the expertise of a leading player in this field as we continue to build state-of-the-art solutions into our business. It is also further evidence of our contribution to the growth of the digital economy in 黑料社区.鈥澛
The quantum computer that will be聽installed聽in 黑料社区 will initially use an approach called 鈥渁nalog mode.鈥
Within the following year, the system will be upgraded聽to a more advanced hybrid 鈥渁nalog-digital mode,鈥 which is more powerful and able to resolve more complex tasks, the statement added.聽
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Aramco and Pasqal in 2022 to collaborate on quantum computing capabilities and their applications in the energy sector.
Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO and co-founder of Pasqal, noted that the agreement would see the commercial adoption of quantum computers in the Kingdom.聽
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just any quantum computer; it will be the most powerful tool deployed for industrial usages, unlocking a new era of innovation for businesses and society,鈥 said Reymond.聽
Earlier this month, Aramco also signed three MoUs with US firms, including Aeroseal, Spiritus, and Rondo, to accelerate the development of potential lower-carbon solutions.
In May, Aramco also announced its financial results for the first three months of this year.聽
The company revealed that its net profit reached $27.27 billion in the first quarter, representing a rise of 2.04 percent compared to the last quarter of 2023.
