Israel must urgently prepare to acquire quantum computers and supercomputers, as global powers might impose restrictions on selling such advanced technology to Israel, the Israeli company Quantum Machines warns. This is not necessarily an anti-Israel policy but rather a competitive struggle between tech superpowers. Israel could also find itself deprived of access to the world's most advanced computing systems due to political decisions, as seen at the Eurosatory arms exhibition in France last week.
Almost two years after winning the Israel Innovation Authority's tender, Quantum Machines has announced the opening of the Israeli Quantum Computing Center. To clarify, this is not an Israeli quantum computer but a research and demonstration center. Currently, the center houses two small quantum computers from a Dutch company and a French company, with a third soon to join. Research institutions and private companies are invited to conduct experiments and test new technologies.
This center places Israel on the global quantum computing map, if not as a producer of future computers, then at least as a significant player in system integration, operation and software development.
A quantum computer is an extraordinarily powerful machine, almost beyond comprehension. In 2019, Google announced it had achieved "quantum supremacy," with its quantum computer completing a particularly complex mathematical calculation in just three minutes. Today's most powerful supercomputers would need no less than 10,000 years to complete the same calculation. The world held its breath.
Google's quantum computer is still under development, as are competing computers from IBM and half a dozen other companies. But the potential is tantalizingly vast: developing new drugs currently impossible to discover, creating new materials, aircraft with new capabilities, complex economic models that will generate significant revenue for financial institutions and, yes, a strategic tool for developing new combat capabilities and breaking any existing enemy encryption. This is why the entire world, both commercial and governmental, is vigorously working on developing quantum computers.
Quantum Machines does not develop quantum computers itself but provides control and monitoring systems for quantum computers that can integrate with any company's technology. This is why the company already boasts a roster of global clients and significant revenue. The new center operates the company's latest technology – OPX1000 – capable of supporting quantum computers with 1,000 qubits and beyond, those that will be developed in the future. The Quantum Computing Center combines quantum computers and supercomputers (HPC). According to the company, it is the first center worldwide to contain multiple platforms of quantum computers operating on different quantum technologies. Users will utilize advanced quantum software developed by the Israeli company Classiq.
All the center's computers use Quantum Machines' OPX control and monitoring system. The center will provide cloud access to allow remote users to access the computing environment. Additionally, the center will offer a research base (testbed) to test and develop new quantum computing technologies. For the first time worldwide, the DGX Quantum technology from Nvidia is being operated in the new center, a system that combines quantum and classical computing. The system was developed jointly by Quantum Machines and Nvidia. The system is integrated with a supercomputing cluster composed of Nvidia GPU processors and ARM and AMD processors, all connected to AWS cloud platforms, enabling remote access and additional cloud computing resources.
Israel's efforts in the quantum field do not end with the new Quantum Computing Center. Dr. Aviv Ze'evi Balesiano, deputy director of Technological Infrastructure at the Israel Innovation Authority, says that the authority operates a quantum computing consortium involving several startup companies developing quantum computing technologies. According to him, the consortium supports the development of Israeli quantum capabilities, while the computing center allows for the testing and implementation of these technologies. "The center will enable collaboration between academia and industry and provide unique R&D services in a subsidized manner," he said.
In addition to civilian quantum development, a consortium of Israeli defense companies, in collaboration with MAFAT (Directorate of Defense Research and Development) at the Ministry of Defense, is working on developing quantum capabilities, including encryption and code-breaking capabilities. Dr. Danny Gold, head of MAFAT, has previously stated that quantum computing is emerging as a crucial future component for national security and technological superiority.
Dr. Itamar Sivan, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Machines, says: "In the global race to develop practical quantum computing, access to advanced infrastructure is essential. Most advanced quantum computing research facilities in the world are closed or offer very limited access to those outside their organization. You can't enter the field and compete successfully if you have to fly halfway around the world just to get limited access. When we thought about what would drive quantum computing forward, we realized that the means is building the most advanced facility in terms of operational capability, modularity and integration with HPC and cloud. Our open architecture approach will ensure that the facility can be continuously upgraded and expanded to stay at the forefront of technology, making it an accelerator for the entire ecosystem in Israel and globally."
The global market valuation of quantum computing for 2022 was $13.67 billion and is expected to reach $143.44 billion with an average annual growth rate of 26.5% by 2032. Besides China, Israel is the country that invests the highest percentage of its gross domestic product (0.082%) in quantum computing. In addition to this investment, one must consider the significant contribution of human capital and Israel's developed academic infrastructure, which is suitable for this type of activity. This is an important step for advancing science and technology in Israel and the world, experts say.