TECNALIA leads an initiative to develop cutting-edge Quantum Computing capabilities for Basque industry

IBERMATICA FUNDAZIOA, IKERLAN, LORTEK, TEKNIKER, MONDRAGON UNIBERTSITATEA, UPV/EHU and VICOMTECH collaborate with the support of the Basque Government.

The research and technological development centre TECNALIA is leading the launch of a new initiative in Quantum Computing, to address the real-world needs of Basque industry. The project, called KUBIT – Kuantikaren Berrikuntzarako Ikasketa Teknologikoa-, involves the collaboration of IBERMATICA FUNDAZIOA, IKERLAN, LORTEK, TEKNIKER, MONDRAGON UNIBERTSITATEA, UPV/EHU and VICOMTECH, and is supported by the Basque Government’s ELKARTEK programme.

As the world becomes more interconnected and instantaneous, the computational complexity of solving new challenges will become progressively intractable for conventional means. This is where quantum computing offers new complementary mechanisms.

It is therefore a key field of knowledge for the future development of Artificial Intelligence and this initiative of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network aims to contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Basque ecosystem. Its aim is to generate a portfolio of industrial property assets for quantum computing applied to typical problems in the industrial world, as well as techniques to tackle computational problems of a certain complexity on the most advanced quantum hardware available. It also contributes to the European strategy for sovereignty in critical technologies and for having the necessary AI value chain capabilities in Europe.

The consortium has also had the support of BasQ, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and its Bizkaia Quantum Industrial Hub, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the Provincial Council of Alava, BAIC – Basque Artificial Intelligence Center, Cluster GAIA, IBM, CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), ERICTEL, Euskaltel, Petronor and Telefónica for the implementation of the initiative.