Quantum computing

Quantum software startup BlueQubit gains major financial backing

BlueQubit, a San Francisco-based startup specialising in quantum software, has raised $10 million in seed funding led by Nyca Partners. Founded by Stanford alumni in 2022, the company aims to integrate quantum computing into practical applications, leveraging its Quantum-Software-as-a-Service (QSaaS) platform. This technology provides users access to quantum processing units (QPUs) and quantum computing emulators, helping industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and material science overcome the limits of traditional computing.

Co-founder and CEO Hrant Gharibyan highlighted BlueQubit’s approach of using advanced GPUs to test quantum algorithms before deploying them on quantum processors. The US based company’s software emulators are reported to run up to 100 times faster than typical alternatives, with proprietary algorithms designed for tasks like financial modelling and quantum optimisation.

This funding round, which also saw participation from Restive, Chaac Ventures, and others, is set to accelerate BlueQubit’s mission to make quantum computing accessible for enterprise use. Nyca Partners’ Tom Brown praised the team’s expertise and drive to turn theoretical quantum advances into operational tools for sectors preparing for quantum breakthroughs.

IGF 2024 closing ceremony: Shaping the future of internet governance

The 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh concluded with a forward-looking ceremony that reflected on its achievements while setting ambitious goals for the future. The forum, a key platform for global discussions on internet governance, highlighted the importance of inclusivity, digital equality, and adapting to emerging technological challenges.

Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasised the enduring relevance of the WSIS principles and the ethical considerations essential in navigating digital innovation. Vint Cerf, chair of the IGF leadership panel, proposed elevating the IGF to a permanent status within the UN structure to secure stable funding and expand its impact.

‘The IGF must evolve to deliver tangible results,’ Cerf remarked, suggesting a focus on measurable metrics and concrete outputs, including revisiting foundational documents and preparing for the next IGF in Oslo. Olaf Kolkman from the Internet Society reinforced the need for continuous self-assessment, urging the IGF to enhance its processes for greater stakeholder benefits.

Inclusivity was a dominant theme, with speakers advocating for broader representation in digital policymaking. Ghanaian physician Dr. Angela Sulemana underscored the transformative power of digital tools in healthcare, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives, especially from young professionals.

Dr. Latifa al-Abdul Karim, member of the Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, called for legislative innovation to address digital challenges, emphasising collaboration, inclusivity, and safeguarding vulnerable groups, including children and the environment. Senior advisor in the Ministry of Communications of Cuba, Juan Fernandez, stressed the urgent need to bridge digital inequalities, particularly between developed and developing nations.

The forum also addressed pressing global issues, such as the digital divide and governance of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. The session closed with a call for stronger global digital cooperation and a shared commitment to implementing the Global Digital Compact.

As participants look to the IGF 2025 in Oslo, the focus remains on turning discussions into actionable outcomes, ensuring the internet remains a safe, inclusive, and transformative tool for all.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum 2024 sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Google’s Willow quantum chip sparks multiverse debate

Google’s Willow quantum chip has ignited a debate about the multiverse theory, with Hartmut Neven from Google’s Quantum AI team suggesting that the chip’s performance supports the idea of quantum computation occurring across parallel universes. The chip’s ability to solve a computational problem exponentially faster than classical computers has raised the possibility that this speed is linked to the multiverse.

However, critics argue that Willow’s success can be explained by alternative interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as the Copenhagen or pilot-wave theories, and that there is no direct evidence proving the existence of parallel universes. Despite its impressive computational achievement, Willow does not provide empirical proof for the multiverse.

The implications of this debate extend beyond the multiverse theory itself, offering an opportunity to explore more profound questions about quantum mechanics and the nature of reality. Whether or not Willow proves the multiverse, the discussion prompts further investigation into quantum computing’s potential and its transformative impact on fields such as cryptography, material science, and AI.

Additionally, the conversation around Willow encourages scientists to re-examine established theories and explore new possibilities, driving innovation and expanding the frontiers of scientific understanding.

Google’s quantum breakthrough: Assessing the impact of Willow on cryptocurrency security

Google’s latest quantum chip, Willow, has stirred discussions in the cryptocurrency world. Capable of completing a computation in minutes that would take supercomputers billions of years, Willow raised concerns over its potential to breach Bitcoin’s encryption, which secures the $2 trillion blockchain. Bitcoin’s price briefly dipped after the announcement but quickly recovered.

While the crypto community acknowledges the theoretical risks of quantum computing, panic remains subdued. Developers, including Ethereum’s founder Vitalik Buterin, suggest that blockchains can be updated to resist quantum threats, just as Bitcoin was improved with the Taproot upgrade in 2021.

For now, the threat seems distant. Willow’s achievement, though impressive, lacks immediate commercial applications. Experts agree the crypto industry has time to adapt before quantum computing poses a genuine risk.

Alphabet shares surge with new quantum chip launch

Alphabet’s stock jumped 5% on Tuesday after the company unveiled Willow, a groundbreaking chip that addresses a major hurdle in quantum computing. Introduced on Monday, Willow solved a problem in five minutes that would take classical computers longer than the age of the universe. This breakthrough brings quantum computing closer to practical applications in science, medicine, and finance.

Quantum computers, powered by qubits, promise incredible speed but face challenges with error rates that grow with scale. Google’s Willow chip reduces errors exponentially by stringing qubits together in a way that allows for real-time error correction. This innovation marks a significant step toward making quantum computing reliable and commercially viable.

While the technology is still in its infancy, experts believe Willow could drive breakthroughs across industries. Alphabet’s shares, up 25% this year, outpaced market expectations, with investors optimistic about the potential impact of quantum computing on the company’s future. Other tech leaders like Microsoft and Quantinuum are also advancing in the race to commercialise quantum systems.

Google’s quantum computing leap forward with Willow

In the quantum computing world, Google’s Quantum AI lab is at the forefront, pioneering a new era where the rules of quantum mechanics dictate the dance of data. Unlike the binary world of classical computing, which is all about ones and zeros, quantum computing introduces qubits. These aren’t just your average bits; they can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to the whims of superposition and entanglement, making them the rock stars of the computational universe.

Enter Willow, Google’s latest quantum chip, which could be described as a virtuoso in the orchestra of quantum technology. Willow isn’t just another chip; it’s a leap towards solving some of humanity’s most complex puzzles. This chip has mastered the art of error correction, a challenge that’s been the quantum computing community’s white whale for nearly three decades. With Willow, errors don’t just decrease; they do so exponentially as more qubits join the ensemble.

But Willow’s talents don’t stop at error correction. In a performance that would make even the universe blink in disbelief, Willow completed a computation in under five minutes that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers a mind-boggling ten septillion years. To put that into perspective, that’s longer than the age of our universe, suggesting that Willow might be tapping into some multiversal jazz.

The magic of Willow is crafted in Google’s specialised quantum lab in Santa Barbara, where every component from qubit gates to the chip’s architecture is meticulously tuned for harmony. Willow boasts 105 qubits, each a note in this symphony of computation, offering both numbers and quality. Focusing on quality over quantity ensures that Willow isn’t just another player but a lead in the orchestra.

Willow’s performance sets the stage for the next act: to conduct a computation beyond the reach of classical computers and relevant to real-world applications. Whether it’s accelerating drug discovery, enhancing AI, or solving energy crises, Willow and its successors are poised to turn theoretical quantum wonders into practical symphonies.

The journey with Willow is just beginning, and Google invited the curious minds of researchers, engineers, and developers to join this quantum odyssey. With open-source software and educational platforms like Coursera, Google aims to democratise quantum computing, hoping to inspire the next generation to compose their quantum symphonies, solving problems that today’s classical computers can only dream of.

Record investment in quantum computing driven by AI growth

Funding for quantum computing has reached unprecedented levels, with startups in the sector securing around $1.5 billion in venture capital through 50 deals in 2024. This amount nearly doubles last year’s $785 million and surpasses the previous record set in 2022. The rise in funding may partly stem from the momentum of AI, which shares significant synergies with quantum technology.

Several high-profile investments have marked 2024. Colorado’s Quantinuum raised $300 million in January, valuing the company at $5 billion. In May, PsiQuantum in California secured a $620 million investment from the Australian government to develop a quantum computer near Brisbane. The United Kingdom’s Riverlane, focused on error correction in quantum systems, raised $75 million in Series C funding in August, adding to the sector’s record-breaking total.

The need for faster, more efficient computing has driven the growth of quantum technology, especially as AI models require immense computing power and energy. Quantum computing, able to perform complex calculations rapidly, is seen as a potential solution to these challenges. Its advantage lies in both speed and energy efficiency, potentially reducing energy needs by as much as 100 times compared to traditional supercomputers.

While AI isn’t the sole reason for quantum’s growing popularity, the two fields are becoming increasingly interconnected. Quantum computing’s applications range from life sciences to navigation, but its potential to enhance AI processing power and reduce energy consumption adds compelling value. As tech giants expand data centres to support AI, quantum technology may see continued interest and investment.

SDT and SemiQon partner to advance quantum computing

Korean SDT and Finland’s SemiQon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a strategic partnership to advance quantum computing. That collaboration allows SDT to incorporate SemiQon’s silicon-based quantum processors (QPUs) into its quantum precision measurement equipment, enhancing scalability and stability in the quantum computing field.

SemiQon has developed QPUs that are compatible with existing infrastructure, which reduces production costs and facilitates mass production. Through this partnership, SDT expands its manufacturing capabilities into quantum technology, with both companies aiming to strengthen the global quantum computing market.

Both companies’ leaders expressed excitement about the potential impact of this collaboration, which is expected to fast-track the development of scalable and cost-effective quantum computers. The combination of SDT’s quantum precision technology and SemiQon’s silicon-based QPUs is a critical step toward realising general-purpose quantum computers operating at the million-qubit scale. The MOU is viewed as a foundation for the global commercialisation of quantum computing, with both SDT and SemiQon working together to enhance the industry’s stability and scalability.

US finalising rules to curb investment in China’s AI and defence tech

The Biden administration announced on Monday new rules restricting US investments in specific technology sectors in China, including AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, citing national security concerns. These rules, effective from 2 January, aim to prevent US capital and expertise from aiding China’s development of military and intelligence capabilities. Issued under an executive order from August 2023, the regulations will be managed by the Treasury’s new Office of Global Transactions.

The targeted technologies are considered crucial to future military and cyber defence. Treasury officials note that US investments often include more than money—managerial support, network access, and intellectual expertise—that could benefit Chinese advancements in sensitive sectors. A senior Treasury official, Paul Rosen, emphasised that these restrictions curb potential US involvement in developing cutting-edge technologies for adversarial nations.

The US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has previously highlighted the importance of these measures, viewing them as essential to slowing China’s progress in military technologies. The new regulations allow for investments in publicly traded Chinese securities; however, existing rules still restrict transactions involving certain Chinese firms deemed to support military development.

Additionally, the rules respond to recent criticism from the House Select Committee on China, which has scrutinised American index providers for funnelling US investments into Chinese companies linked to military advancements. With these regulations, the administration underscores its intent to protect US interests by limiting China’s access to critical technology expertise and capital.

US set to finalize investment restrictions in China’s AI sector

The US government is nearly finalising rules restricting American investments in certain advanced technologies in China, particularly AI, semiconductors, microelectronics, and quantum computing. These regulations are designed to prevent US know-how from contributing to China’s military capabilities following an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in August 2023. The rules are under review by the Office of Management and Budget and are expected to be released soon, possibly before the upcoming US presidential election on 5 November.

The new regulations will require US investors to notify the Treasury Department about specific investments in sensitive technologies. While the rules will ban certain investments outright, they also include several exceptions. For example, some publicly traded securities and certain types of debt financing will not fall under the restrictions. However, US companies and individuals will determine which transactions are subject to the new limits.

Earlier drafts of the rules, published in June, gave the public a chance to provide feedback and proposed banning AI investments that involved systems trained with substantial computing power. The final regulations are expected to provide additional clarity, particularly concerning the thresholds for restricted transactions in AI and the role of limited partners in such investments.

Experts like Laura Black, a former Treasury official, anticipate that the regulations will take effect at least 30 days after release. These measures reflect the US government’s growing focus on curbing China’s access to critical technologies while balancing the need for certain economic exceptions in mutual funds and syndicated debt financing sectors.

The upcoming release will be a significant step in the Biden administration’s broader effort to safeguard US technological advantage and national security interests in the face of growing competition from China.