quantum computing

Quantum computing firm strengthens European presence

US quantum computing firm Strangeworks has expanded its European presence by acquiring German company Quantagonia. The merger allows organisations to tackle complex planning and optimisation using classical, hybrid, quantum, and quantum-inspired technologies.

Quantagonia, founded in 2021, develops AI-powered, quantum-ready planning tools that combine optimisation, AI, and natural language interfaces. The technology enables experts and non-technical users to solve problems across industries, including life sciences, finance, energy, and logistics.

The acquisition removes barriers to advanced decision-making and opens new go-to-market opportunities in previously underserved sectors.

The combined entity will merge Quantagonia’s solver engine and AI decision-making tools with Strangeworks’ AI and quantum infrastructure. The approach lets enterprises run multiple solvers in parallel and solve problems using natural language without technical expertise.

Strangeworks has strengthened its strategic European foothold, adding to its recent expansion in India and existing operations in the US and APAC. Executives said the merger boosts global growth and broadens access to sophisticated optimisation tools.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Researchers use AI to speed up quantum computing experiments

AI has been used to rapidly assemble arrays of atoms that could one day power quantum computers. A team led by physicist Jian-Wei Pan at the University of Science and Technology of China demonstrated how an AI model can calculate the best way to arrange neutral atoms, a long-standing challenge in the field.

The researchers showed that their system could rearrange up to 2,024 rubidium atoms into precise grid patterns in just 60 milliseconds. By comparison, a previous attempt last year arranged 800 atoms without AI but required a full second.

To showcase the model’s speed, the team even used it to create an animated image of Schrödinger’s cat by guiding atoms into patterns with laser light.

Neutral atom arrays are one of the most promising approaches to building quantum computers, as the trapped atoms can maintain their fragile quantum states for relatively long periods.

The AI model was trained on different atom configurations and patterns of laser light, allowing it to quickly determine the most efficient hologram needed to reposition atoms into complex 2D and 3D shapes.

Experts in the field have welcomed the breakthrough. Mark Saffman, a physicist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, noted that producing holograms for larger arrays usually requires intensive calculations.

The ability of AI to handle this process so efficiently, he said, left many colleagues ‘really impressed.’

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Chinese researchers advance atom-based quantum computing with massive atom array

Chinese physicist Pan Jianwei’s team created the world’s largest atom array, arranging over 2,000 rubidium atoms for quantum computing. The breakthrough at the University of Science and Technology of China could enable atom-based quantum computers to scale to tens of thousands of qubits.

Researchers used AI and optical tweezers to position all atoms simultaneously, completing the array in 60 milliseconds. The system achieved 99.97 percent accuracy for single-qubit operations and 99.5 percent for two-qubit operations, with 99.92 percent accuracy in qubit state detection.

Atom-based quantum computing is more promising for its stability and control than superconducting circuits or trapped ions. Until now, arrays were limited to a few hundred atoms, as moving each into position individually was slow and challenging.

Future work aims to expand array sizes further using stronger lasers and faster light modulators. Researchers hope that perfectly arranging tens of thousands of atoms leads to fully reliable and scalable quantum computers.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

China debuts quantum-embedded GNN for drug discovery

According to Science and Technology Daily, Chinese researchers have reported a breakthrough in quantum drug discovery using edge encoding. Origin Quantum, USTC, and the Hefei AI Institute built a quantum-embedded graph neural network (GNN) to predict drug-molecule properties.

In drug development, graph neural networks model molecules as atoms and bonds. Classical and some quantum approaches handle atoms well but struggle with bonds. The gap limits accuracy and screening speed.

The team from China introduced quantum edge and node embeddings to process bonds and atoms simultaneously at the quantum level. The quantum-embedded GNN unifies both signals in one pass. Results show sharper predictions for the properties of candidate drugs.

Validation on the Origin Wukong quantum computer indicates stable performance despite today’s noisy hardware. Benchmarking suggests efficiency gains for molecular screening pipelines. Researchers say the approach is production-oriented as devices scale.

Findings appear in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modelling. Collaboration highlights China’s push to integrate quantum computing with biopharmaceutical research and development. More exhaustive testing on larger qubit counts is anticipated.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Quantum computing breakthroughs push 2025 into a new era

Quantum computing is set to shift from theory to real-world applications in 2025, driven by breakthroughs from Google and IBM. With error-corrected qubits and faster processing, the market is projected to reach $292 billion by 2035.

New chips, such as Google’s Willow, have significantly reduced errors, while interconnect innovations link multiple processors. Hybrid quantum-classical systems are emerging, with AI refining results for logistics, energy grids, and secure financial transactions.

The technology is accelerating drug discovery, climate modelling, and materials science, cutting R&D timelines and improving simulation accuracy. Global firms like Pasqal are scaling production in Saudi Arabia and South Korea, even as geopolitical tensions rise.

Risks remain high, from the energy demands of quantum data centres to threats against current encryption. Experts urge rapid adoption of post-quantum cryptography and fault-tolerant systems before mass deployment.

As the UN marks 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science, quantum computing is quietly being integrated into operations worldwide, solving problems that surpass those of classical machines. The revolution has begun, largely unnoticed but poised to redefine economies and technology.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Science removes concern from Microsoft quantum paper

The journal Science will replace an editorial expression of concern (EEoC) on a 2020 Microsoft quantum computing paper with a correction. The update notes incomplete explanations of device tuning and partial data disclosure, but no misconduct.

Co-author Charles Marcus welcomed the decision but lamented the four-year dispute.

Sergey Frolov, who raised concerns about data selection, disagrees with the correction and believes the paper should be retracted. The debate centres on Microsoft’s claims about topological superconductors using Majorana particles, a critical step for quantum computing.

Several Microsoft-backed papers on Majoranas have faced scrutiny, including retractions. Critics accuse Microsoft of cherry-picking data, while supporters stress the research’s complexity and pioneering nature.

The controversy reveals challenges in peer review and verifying claims in a competitive field.

Microsoft defends the integrity of its research and values open scientific debate. Critics warn that selective reporting risks misleading the community. The dispute highlights the difficulty of confirming breakthrough quantum computing claims in an emerging industry.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Largest Bitcoin transactions in history spark quantum security talk

Eight long-dormant Bitcoin wallets from the early days of the network moved a combined 80,000 BTC in early July 2025. Each wallet sent roughly 10,000 BTC to new SegWit addresses, which offer enhanced security against future quantum computing threats.

These transfers mark the most significant single Bitcoin transactions ever recorded, attracting intense speculation across the crypto community.

Shortly after the transfer, around 28,600 BTC were sent to Galaxy Digital, with about 9,000 BTC sold, likely contributing to a 5% price drop from Bitcoin’s recent all-time high of $123,000.

Experts believe the security upgrade was a precaution against quantum computing risks, threatening Bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations in the coming decades. Developers are working on proposals to protect vulnerable wallets and strengthen network security.

Blockchain analysis shows all eight wallets belong to one entity, with some suspecting Roger Ver, aka ‘Bitcoin Jesus,’ because of his early role and recent legal troubles. Around that time, OP_RETURN messages appeared on the blockchain, possibly a spam campaign pressuring the wallet owner to prove control.

While no evidence of hacking has emerged, these events have heightened attention on dormant Bitcoin holdings and quantum security.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Denmark launches quantum initiative with world‑leading computer

Positioning itself at the forefront of quantum innovation, Denmark has made a €80 million commitment led by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and EIFO.

The Quantum initiative, operating under the new entity QuNorth, aims to deploy a system named Magne, expected to deliver unprecedented computational power when it becomes operational in late 2026 or early 2027.

Magne will boast approximately 50 logical qubits, enabling tasks beyond the reach of classical computers. Built by Atom Computing and powered by Microsoft’s quantum stack, it marks one of the first Level 2 quantum systems with integrated error correction.

The ambition is to eventually scale to hundreds or even a thousand logical qubits, entering a realm of applications that include transformative chemistry modelling, accelerated drug discovery and optimised logistics.

Boasting full Danish ownership, Magne is based in Copenhagen, and QuNorth will facilitate access for Nordic businesses and researchers.

Stakeholders see this as a vital step in stimulating Europe’s quantum ecosystem and boosting national competitiveness amid global tech rivalries with the US and China.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Quantum sector surges as Rigetti unveils modular machine

Quantum computing is progressing faster than expected, with Rigetti Computing achieving a major breakthrough. The company reached 99.5% median 2-qubit gate fidelity using a modular 36-qubit system—halving its error rate and moving closer to fault-tolerant computing.

The new machine, built from four 9-qubit chiplets, represents the industry’s largest multichip quantum system. Its modular design addresses the scalability challenges of single-chip models.

Rigetti’s superconducting qubits also outperform rivals by operating at significantly faster speeds.

Plans are in place to launch a 100+-qubit system before the end of 2025. Backing from DARPA, the US Air Force, and the UK government further validates Rigetti’s approach. Partnerships with Nvidia and Quanta Computer add commercial strength.

Despite modest revenue, Rigetti holds $575 million in cash with no debt and owns the sector’s first dedicated quantum chip factory. True commercial quantum advantage is expected between 2026 and 2028.

Shares of Rigetti, along with other quantum computing firms like IonQ and D-Wave, have surged in recent months, outperforming the broader market.

Rigetti offers strong potential—but remains a high-risk pick in a competitive field.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

Europe’s quantum ambitions meet US private power and China’s state drive

Quantum computing could fundamentally reshape technology, using quantum bits (qubits) instead of classical bits. Qubits allow complex calculations beyond classical computing, transforming sectors from pharmaceuticals to defence.

Europe is investing billions in quantum technology, emphasising technological sovereignty. Yet, it competes fiercely with the United States, which enjoys substantial private investment, and China, powered by significant state-backed funding.

The UK began quantum initiatives early, launching the National Quantum Programme 2014. It recently pledged £2.5 billion more, supporting start-ups like Orca Computing and Universal Quantum, alongside nations like Canada, Israel, and Japan.

Europe accounted for eight of the nineteen quantum start-ups established globally in 2024, including IQM Quantum Computers and Pasqal. Despite Europe’s scientific strengths, it only captured 5% of global quantum investments, versus 50% for the US.

The European Commission aims to strengthen quantum capabilities by funding six chip factories and a continent-wide Quantum Skills Academy. However, attracting sufficient private investment remains a significant challenge.

The US quantum industry thrives, driven by giants such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave Quantum. Recent breakthroughs include Microsoft’s topological qubit and Google’s Willow quantum chip.

D-Wave Quantum has demonstrated real-world quantum advantages, solving complex optimisation problems in minutes. Its technology is now used commercially in logistics, traffic management, and supply chains.

China, meanwhile, leads in state-driven quantum funding, investing $15 billion directly and managing a $138 billion tech venture fund. By contrast, US federal investment totals about $6 billion, underscoring China’s aggressive approach.

Global investment in quantum start-ups reached $1.25 billion in Q1 2025 alone, reflecting a shift towards practical applications. By 2040, the quantum market is projected to reach $173 billion, influencing global economics and geopolitics.

Quantum computing raises geopolitical concerns, prompting democratic nations to coordinate through bodies like the OECD and G7. Interoperability, trust, and secure infrastructure have become essential strategic considerations.

Europe’s quantum ambitions require sustained investment, standard-setting leadership, and robust supply chains. Its long-term technological independence hinges on moving swiftly beyond initial funding towards genuine strategic autonomy.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!