Panels Program

Panels Scope and Goals

IEEE Quantum Week Panels feature enlightening and impactful discussions among experts on different perspectives of quantum computing and engineering. Panel topics include but are not limited to hardware-software co-design, hybrid quantum-classical computing, NISQ applications, post-quantum cryptography, fault-tolerant quantum computers, quantum systems engineering, quantum programming education & training, quantum workforce training, or frontiers of quantum information science & algorithms. The panelists, a set of diverse researchers and practitioners, aim to share their insightful perspectives and engage the broader community in a stimulating dialogue. 

Panels Contacts

 

Panels Program

Each panel at IEEE Quantum Week 2021 is 90 or 45 minutes long.

QCE21 Panels Overview

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 01 — Aiming for the Future: Quantum Computing in 2050

Itamar Sivan: Quantum Machines, Israel
John Martinis: UC Santa Barbara, USA
Scott Aaronson: University of Texas at Austin, USA
Rainer Blatt: University of Innsbruck, Austria
Alexander Keesling: QuERA Computing, USA
Elsie Loukiantchenko: Quantum Machines, USA

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 02 — Supporting Diversity in Quantum Computing

Denise Ruffner: IonQ & Women in Quantum, Pasadena, CA
André König: One Quantum, USA
Jessica Pehr: IonQ, Albuquerque, NM
Annie Phillipsen, IonQ, Seattle, WA
Wen Lin Tan, IonQ College Park, MD
Mel Jameson, IonQ, College Park, MD

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 03 — Accelerating Practical Quantum Computing

Murray Thom: D-Wave, Canada
Sam Mugel: Multiverse Computing, Canada
Daniele Ottaviani: CINECA, Italy
Hans Melo: Co-Founder & CEO , Menten AI, Inc., USA

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 04 — QPARC: Creating an Industry Community to Advance Quantum Advantage Discovery

Tennin Yan: QunaSys, Japan
Hirotoshi Hirai: Toyota Central R&D Labs., Japan
Yasushi Honda: HPC SYSTEMS Inc., Japan
Tomoyo Matsuoka: QunaSys, Inc., Japan
Kosuke Mitarai: Osaka University, Japan
Elena Yndurain: QunaSys, Spain

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 05 — The Future of Quantum Control Stacks

Niels Bultink, CEO, Qblox, The Netherlands
Elizabeth Ruetsch, GM Quantum Engineering Solutions Keysight Technologies, USA
Sadik Hafizovic, CEO, Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Itamar Sivan, CEO, Quantum Machines, Israel
Moderator: Guenevere Prawiroatmodjo, Software Engineer, Microsoft Quantum, USA
Organizer: Jay Jayesingha: Qblox, The Netherlands

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 06 — A Look at Full Stack of Quantum Computing

Tobias Thiele: Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Vikrant Mahajan: Zurich Instruments, USA
Clemens Mueller: Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Irfan Siddiqi, University of California, Berkeley, Director of QSA and AQT, USA
Kuan Tan, IQM, CTO and Co-Founder, Finland
Anna Stockklauser, Rigetti, Director of Quantum Engineering, UK

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 07 — Quantum Technology Ecosystem 1.0: A Multi-Industry Perspective on Applications

Faisal Shah Khan: Dark Star Quantum Lab, USA
Grégoir Ribordy: CEO & Vice Chairman of the Board, IDquantique, Switzerland
Robert Liscouski: CEO & Chairman of the Board, Quantum Computing Inc.
Nir Minerbi: CEO & Co-founder, Classiq, Israel
Najwa Aaraj: Chief Researcher, Cryptography Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nour Aburaed: Research Assistant, Mohammed bin Rashed Space Center Lab, University of Dubai, UAE
José Ignacio Lattore: Professor & Chief Researcher Officer, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi and Professor, University of Barcelona, UAE
Davide Lattore: Professor & Director, Artificial Intelligence Institute, SKEMA Business School, Université Côte d'Azur, France

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 08 — Quantum Error Correction: How to Train the Dragon

Sophia Economou: Virginia Tech, USA — Moderator
Krysta Svore: Microsoft, USA
Barbara Terhal: QuTech, The Netherlands
John Martinis: UCSB, USA
Ken Brown: Duke University, USA
Marco Ghibaudi: Riverlane, UK
Naomi Nickerson: PsiQuantum, USA
Paul Gleichauf: ARM, USA

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 09 — Student Mentorship Program

Olivia Lanes, IBM Quantum, USA
Denise Ruffner, IonQ, Inc., USA
Mariia Mykhailova, Microsoft Quantum, USA
Guen Prawiroatmodjo Microsoft Quantum, USA
Curtis Volin, Honeywell Quantum Solutions, USA
Cedric Lin, Amazon Braket AWS, USA
Mehdi Bozzo-Rey, QAI, Canada

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 10 — Status and Opportunities in K-12 Quantum Education

Mark Newburn: Nevada State Board of Education, USA
Brian La Cour: University of Texas, Austin, USA
Emily Edwards: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Rachel Zuckerman: Qubit x Qubit, USA
Karen Matsler, University of Texas, Arlington, USA
Moderator: Erik DeBenedictis: ZettaFlops LLC, USA
Organizer: Lia Yeh: University of Oxford, UK

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 11 — Quantum Scale-up: What would it take to deliver truly useful quantum circuits

Nir Minerbi: Classiq, Technologies, Israel
Yuval Boger: Classiq, Technologies, USA
Tyler Takeshita: Amazon Braket, USA
Konstantinos Karagiannis: Protiviti, USA
Mark Saffman: ColdQuanta & University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 12 — Packaging and Interconnect Challenges for Different Quantum Environments

Luu Nguyen: PsiQuantum, USA
Michael Hamilton: Auburn University, USA
Chuan Seng Tan: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Amr Helmy: University of Toronto, Canada
Rabindra Das: MIT Lincoln Lab, USA

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 13 — Opportunities for Cryoelectronics to Drive Scaling of Future Quantum Systems

Brian Gaucher: IBM Quantum, USA
Daniel Friedman: IBM Quantum, USA
David Frank: IBM Quantum, USA
Oleg Mukhanov: Seeqc, USA
Edoardo Charbon: EPFL, Switzerland
John Chiaverini: MIT Lincoln Lab, USA
David Reilly: Microsoft, USA
Stefano Pellerano: Intel, USA

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 14 — Getting Quantum Computing to Production in the Near-term

Moderator: Katherine Londergan: CMO: Zapata Computing, USA
Christopher Savoie: CEO & Co-Founder, Zapata Computing, USA
Yudong Cao: CTO & Co-Founder, Zapata Computing, USA
Jun Kato: Managing Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Chemical, Japan
Kevin Kissell: Technical Director, HPC Cloud and Quantum, Google Cloud Office of the CTO, USA
Kasey Shah: Enterprise Cloud Architect, Google Cloud, USA
Organizer: Mick Emmett: Zapata Computing, USA

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 15 — Ethics in Quantum Computing

John Havens: IEEE Initiative on Ethics, USA
Bruce Kraemer: Enterprise Solutions, USA

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 16 — Technical and Organizational Aspects of Developing Applications for Early Quantum ComputersS

Denny Dahl: ColdQuanta, Inc., USA
Steve Reinhardt: Quantum Computing Inc., USA
Aussie Schnore: GE Global Research, USA
Carleton Coffrin: Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), USA
Megan Kohagen: Honeywell Quantum Solutions, USA
Marouane Salhi: Qubit Engineering, Inc., USA
Martin Leib: IQM, Germany
Sue Mniszewski: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), USA
Sebastian Feld: Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands

Fri, Oct 22 — Pan 17 — National Quantum Initiative Roundtable

Moderator: Candace Culhane: Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), USA
Moderator: Travis Humble: Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), USA
David Awschalom: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), USA
David Dean: Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), USA
Anna Grassellino: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), USA
Andrew Houck: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), USA
Irfan Siddiqi: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), USA

Fri, Oct 22 — Pan 18 — On the Use of Applications as Performance Benchmarks for Quantum Computing

Tom Lubinski: Quantum Circuits Inc. & Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), USA
Joe Emerson: Keysight, Canada
Sonika Johri: IonQ, USA
Tim Mattson: Intel, USA
Raphael Pooser: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA
Tim Proctor: Sandia Quantum Performance laboratory, USA
Nik Stamatopoulos: Goldman Sachs, USA


QCE21 Panels Abstracts


Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 01 — Aiming for the Future: Quantum Computing in 2050

Itamar Sivan: Quantum Machines, Israel
John Martinis: UC Santa Barbara, USA
Scott Aaronson: University of Texas at Austin, USA
Rainer Blatt: University of Innsbruck, Austria
Alexander Keesling: QuERA Computing, USA
Elsie Loukiantchenko: Quantum Machines, USA

Date: Monday, Oct 18, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: In 2021, as we are paving the way towards scalable quantum computing, our focus is on solving problems that serve as the most immediate roadblocks. Significantly improving gate fidelity, fabricating increasingly complex QPUs, and building tools for error correction. In the NISQ era of today, our bottlenecks are quite fundamental. With this panel, however, we are aiming at the future with an attempt to envision what the quantum computers of 2050 will look like.
We give panelists free rein to think long-term and remove the 3 main roadblocks facing their research today, across various qubit platforms. Instead, we will focus on answering the following questions: What is the next set of big challenges for the quantum research community, and how should this affect the work being done today? What will the ideal future quantum computer look like? What hardware will it contain, and which problems will become the new roadblocks? What kind of architecture will be expected, and what would the role of quantum control be at that point? First, we will introduce the various types of quantum computers being brought forward. Next, we will examine different layers which make up the computer to create a common framework for the discussion: architecture, hardware, and software, to name a few. We expect to have an interesting and engaging conversation about the future of quantum computing and discuss how the quantum community can help propel these ideas forwards.
Keywords: Quantum computing, future of quantum, quantum hardware quantum software, quantum error correction, quantum control, logical qubits, fault-tolerant, quantum computing

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 02 — Supporting Diversity in Quantum Computing

Denise Ruffner: IonQ & Women in Quantum, Pasadena, CA
André König: One Quantum, USA
Jessica Pehr: IonQ, Albuquerque, NM
Annie Phillipsen, IonQ, Seattle, WA
Wen Lin Tan, IonQ College Park, MD
Mel Jameson, IonQ, College Park, MD

Date: Monday, Oct 18, 2021
Time: 12:15-13:00 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract:
The purpose of this 45 minute panel is to highlight the need for diversity in Quantum Tech and show various career path opportunities through our panelists personal stories.The panel will start with an overview of diversity in Quantum Tech as it currently stands. We will look at gender, ethnic and geographical trends; and discuss current efforts to address the lack of diversity.Then we will place an emphasis on educating the audience on different roles in quantum and what type of education is needed Through the eyes of our panelists. Lastly, we will discuss career advice from a leading technical recruiter. This panel is ideal for an audience of any and all backgrounds, especially students, post-docs and professionals that are looking to make a career in Quantum Tech even though they might not come out of a traditional Ivy League setting.Throughout the event we will post polls to get to know our audience better and incorporate your feedback. Our goal is that you walk away from it with inspiration & confidence, as well as an understanding of the many roles in quantum tech, how you can apply your individual education to work in this sector and get recruiting tips and advice from a seasoned recruiter.
Keywords: Women in quantum, quantum computing, diversity, careers, stem

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 03 — Accelerating Practical Quantum Computing

Murray Thom: D-Wave, Canada
Sam Mugel: Multiverse Computing, Canada
Daniele Ottaviani: CINECA, Italy
Hans Melo: Co-Founder & CEO , Menten AI, Inc., USA

Date: Monday, Oct 18, 2021
Time: 13:00-14:30 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Today, cloud access and open source developer tools – like D-Wave’s Leap quantum application environment and Ocean SDK – as well as improvements in both quantum computing hardware and software are empowering businesses and programmers around the world to harness the power of quantum computing. Thanks to these advancements, quantum mechanical knowledge is not required to reap the technology’s benefits. As a result, new emerging use cases are constantly unlocked as quantum computing becomes accessible for users to solve real-world, complex problems. Business leaders can accelerate their journey to in-production quantum hybrid applications by learning from other businesses who have already seen the difference quantum computing has made in their industry. Users and companies have already built over 250 early applications on D-Wave’s quantum computers in industries ranging from automotive to biotech, aerospace, finance, and more. The quantum application era is here, and the growing interest from the business community is making it a reality. In this session, Murray Thom, Vice President of Product Management at D-Wave, will moderate a panel on accelerating practical quantum computing with Sam Mugel, CTO of Multiverse Computing, a company working successfully with quantum computing for the financial industry; Daniele Ottaviani, Researcher at CINECA, Italy’s largest computing center; and Hans Melo, co-founder and CEO of Menten AI, which uses machine learning and quantum computing to design proteins for therapeutic and industrial purposes. Join us for a compelling session to learn how your business can leverage the power of quantum computing today!
Keywords: D-Wave, practical quantum computing, quantum application

Mon, Oct 18 — Pan 04 — QPARC: Creating an Industry Community to Advance Quantum Advantage Discovery

Tennin Yan: QunaSys, Japan
Hirotoshi Hirai: Toyota Central R&D Labs., Japan
Yasushi Honda: HPC SYSTEMS Inc., Japan
Tomoyo Matsuoka: QunaSys, Inc., Japan
Kosuke Mitarai: Osaka University, Japan
Elena Yndurain: QunaSys, Spain

Date: Monday, Oct 18, 2021
Time: 15:45-16:45 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Quantum computing applicability to chemistry is a growing promising field, with its capacity to apply quantum mechanical rules to analyze molecular behaviors at a particle level. It is important to understand how to approach algorithm tests to show industry applicability and performance with current near-term technology. This panel will discuss the collaboration model and research community between the 50+ QPARC companies to advance quantum algorithms for chemical applications, how to evaluate limitations, reliability, adaptability, and quantum advantage for chemistry related problems. The panel will discuss how QPARC was born and how to create a working ecosystem of startups, corporations, and academics to collaborate toward driving quantum computing adoption together. The experts in quantum chemistry, automotive, energy, and material science will share their quantum computing journey, their learnings and initial results around major applications: molecular dynamics, calculating energy bands of periodic systems, calculation of excited states and reaction route search. The representatives from each company will explain the activities done in QPARC, the potential applications found so far and provide and their insights on how to discover potential application of Quantum Computing for their fields.
Keywords: Quantum algorithms, quantum chemistry, VQE, industry applicability, consortium collaboration

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 05 — The Future of Quantum Control Stacks

Niels Bultink, CEO, Qblox, The Netherlands
Elizabeth Ruetsch, GM Quantum Engineering Solutions Keysight Technologies, USA
Sadik Hafizovic, CEO, Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Itamar Sivan, CEO, Quantum Machines, Israel
Moderator: Guenevere Prawiroatmodjo, Software Engineer, Microsoft Quantum, USA
Organizer: Jay Jayesingha: Qblox, The Netherlands

Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Keywords:  Qubit control, qubit readout, fault tolerance, control stack, error correction
Abstract: Quantum Control Hardware is one of the main building blocks for a full-stack Quantum Computing system. Achieving quantum advantage and quantum fault tolerance involves not only tackling many challenges in the Quantum Control Stack today but also building a compelling vision for the future. In this panel, we will speak with four different hardware companies and start-ups about all things related to the Quantum Control Stack. Each company will speak about their current offering, the different hardware and software components and how they fit into the overall quantum ecosystem. We will talk about the biggest challenges in the field, from noise sources to latency and quantum error correction. We will close off the panel with an inspiring discussion where each panellist will share their vision on how to go to 1000 qubits and beyond.

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 06 — A Look at Full Stack of Quantum Computing

Tobias Thiele: Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Vikrant Mahajan: Zurich Instruments, USA
Clemens Mueller: Zurich Instruments, Switzerland
Irfan Siddiqi, University of California, Berkeley, Director of QSA and AQT, USA
Kuan Tan, IQM, CTO and Co-Founder, Finland
Anna Stockklauser, Rigetti, Director of Quantum Engineering, UK

Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021
Time: 13:00-13:45 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6 — 45 mins
Abstract: With the continuing progress toward a useful quantum computer, the focus of innovation is beginning to zoom out from the quantum processors to the higher levels of the quantum stack. In this panel of leading quantum technology experts, we will discuss in what sense a holistic approach is needed to produce tangible results with current and future hardware.
With the focus on superconducting qubit technologies, we bring together voices from academia and industry to share their views and approaches on how to advance the development of a scalable quantum computer, while being aware of the interplay between different components. For example, different qubit hardware realizations have a direct influence on the requirements for shielding and frequency-multiplexing of control lines, the noise and frequency-requirements of classical control signal generation and – ultimately – on how the control software optimally compiles and applies the hardware-agnostic quantum algorithms.
The panel will discuss different concepts and reasonings for co-designing different elements of the quantum stack. When should one pin down the qubit hardware platform or the high-level quantum programming language, and then continue to experiment with other parts of the stack? When is it better to select separate levels of the stack and then optimize them together? How can one benchmark and compare the performance of different stacks? The diverse background and interests of our panelists will not only lead to interesting discussions around such questions, but may even produce new insights and help identify synergies in the community.
Keywords:  Superconducting qubits, Quantum Computing, Full Quantum Stack

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 07 — Quantum Technology Ecosystem 1.0: A Multi-Industry Perspective on Applications

Faisal Shah Khan: Dark Star Quantum Lab, USA
Grégoir Ribordy: CEO & Vice Chairman of the Board, IDquantique, Switzerland
Robert Liscouski: CEO & Chairman of the Board, Quantum Computing Inc.
Nir Minerbi: CEO & Co-founder, Classiq, Israel
Najwa Aaraj: Chief Researcher, Cryptography Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nour Aburaed: Research Assistant, Mohammed bin Rashed Space Center Lab, University of Dubai, UAE
José Ignacio Lattore: Professor & Chief Researcher Officer, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi and Professor, University of Barcelona, UAE
Davide Lattore: Professor & Director, Artificial Intelligence Institute, SKEMA Business School, Université Côte d'Azur, France

Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021
Time: 15:15-16:45 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Quantum information technology may be characterized in two broad strokes as technology generating truly random and strongly correlated data. The first stroke has produced provably secure and intrusion-detecting communication technology, and the latter has produced the technology of quantum processors, both available commercially today. This panel brings CEOs of three leading companies and with distinguished academics working in quantum and related technology ecosystems with the goal of introducing attendees to both strokes of quantum technology. Specially emphasized will be potential applications of quantum technologies within the Artificial Intelligence, Cryptography, and Space & Defense industries.
Keywords:  Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Space and Defense, Cryptography, Artificial Intelligence, Software

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 08 — Quantum Error Correction: How to Train the Dragon

Sophia Economou: Virginia Tech, USA — Moderator
Krysta Svore: Microsoft, USA
Barbara Terhal: QuTech, The Netherlands
John Martinis: UCSB, USA
Ken Brown: Duke University, USA
Marco Ghibaudi: Riverlane, UK
Naomi Nickerson: PsiQuantum, USA
Paul Gleichauf: ARM, USA

Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Error correction protocols are a crucial element for the development of practical quantum computing as applications and algorithms that only comprise shallow circuits are severely limited in their commercial and scientific relevance. However, the practical implementation of error correction remains an enormous challenge. This is due to theoretical questions about how to define codes and architectures that go beyond toy problems towards true scalability and to the tight latency constraints and scalability requirements of the control system. This panel brings together the state of the art in developing and practically implementing quantum error correction schemes in a variety of hardware platforms. We bring together theorists and quantum computing architecture experts with embedded system and System-on-Chip engineers to bridge the gap between theory and practical implementation. Our speakers from academia and industry will discuss the importance of quantum error correction, the shortcomings of current efforts and explain how quantum error correction can be practically implemented in the near term.
Keywords:  Quantum error correction, Quantum Computing, Algorithms

Tue, Oct 19 — Pan 09 — Student Mentorship Program

Olivia Lanes, IBM Quantum, USA
Denise Ruffner, IonQ, Inc., USA
Mariia Mykhailova, Microsoft Quantum, USA
Guen Prawiroatmodjo Microsoft Quantum, USA
Curtis Volin, Honeywell Quantum Solutions, USA
Cedric Lin, Amazon Braket AWS, USA
Mehdi Bozzo-Rey, QAI, Canada

Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021
Time: 15:15-16:45 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Students are invited to participate in a 90-minute session during which they may ask questions and advice from industry experts from a variety of companies as listed below. This is your opportunity to get expert advice on career next steps, career choices, and insights into working in the industry.
Keywords: Mentorship, students, expert advice from industry, career choices, insights

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 10 — Status and Opportunities in K-12 Quantum Education

Mark Newburn: Nevada State Board of Education, USA
Brian La Cour: University of Texas, Austin, USA
Emily Edwards: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Rachel Zuckerman: Qubit x Qubit, USA
Karen Matsler, University of Texas, Arlington, USA
Moderator: Erik DeBenedictis: ZettaFlops LLC, USA
Organizer: Lia Yeh: University of Oxford, UK

Date: Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: The premise of Quantum Week is that quantum information science (QIS) will lead to a new “quantum industry,” as well as advancements to existing industries such as computing, chemistry, finance, and more. Fully exploiting this opportunity over the next few decades will require the development of a quantum-capable workforce and a population that can productively use new products and services that make use of quantum information. This time frame and scope suggest an opportunity to engage students at the K-12 level to meet anticipated future demand.
This panel will discuss the current status of QIS in the K-12 system and provide a vision for how educational challenges can be addressed over time. While QIS is dominated by specialists today, in the future, each specialist is expected to be accompanied by numerous professional roles in engineering sales and support, as well as tens of thousands of consumers, all of whom should understand QIS principles well enough to use the new products and services. The quantum community is in the process of refining QIS principles into approachable learning tools, such as hackathons, summer schools, and games that can be taught to progressively younger people and have an appropriate effect for each student no matter what role they are destined to fill later on.
The panel comprises K-12 education researchers actively developing these approachable learning methods and education professionals actively incorporating quantum education into curricula at various levels.
Keywords:  K-12 Quantum Education, Quantum Workforce Development, K-12 QIS

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 11 — Quantum Scale-up: What would it take to deliver truly useful quantum circuits

Nir Minerbi: Classiq, Technologies, Israel
Yuval Boger: Classiq, Technologies, USA
Tyler Takeshita: Amazon Braket, USA
Konstantinos Karagiannis: Protiviti, USA
Mark Saffman: ColdQuanta & University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Date: Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Time: 12:15-13:00 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: While quantum supremacy has been demonstrated, it used an algorithm with very little practical value. Delivering significant value through quantum solutions will require scaling up the hardware, software and development procedures. Is an algorithm that runs on 10 qubits ripe to run on 1000 qubits? How much will the way we work with quantum systems in five years be different than how we work today? What kind of collaboration is required between the various industry and academic players to succeed? How will the development process of quantum algorithms be different? How easy will it be to port algorithms from one hardware architecture to another? What can we expect to see when 1000-qubit systems will be available? This panel brings together a group of experts from diverse perspectives: a hardware manufacturer, a software provider, a consulting firm, a cloud provider, and an end-user to discuss these issues.
Keywords: Scalability, architecture, software

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 12 — Packaging and Interconnect Challenges for Different Quantum Environments

Luu Nguyen: PsiQuantum, USA
Michael Hamilton: Auburn University, USA
Chuan Seng Tan: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Amr Helmy: University of Toronto, Canada
Rabindra Das: MIT Lincoln Lab, USA

Date: Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Time: 13:00-14:30 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: The current quantum computing landscape has multiple players working in different technologies such as superconducting qubits (IBM, D-Wave, Rigetti, Google, Intel, OQC, Alibaba), ion traps (Honeywell, IonQ, AQT), photonics (Xanadu, PsiQuantum), and neutral atoms (Atom Computing, Quera). Although the underlying physics differ, some commonalities do exist among them. Operation at cryogenic temperatures requires new R&D in packaging, interconnects, materials, characterization and testing, and cost-efficient cooling schemes. Packaging and interconnect play a central role in enabling the technologies. This panel aims at highlighting the challenges facing the packaging and integration for cryogenic electronics, hopefully sparking in the process new research opportunities for exploration.
Keywords: Packaging, Interconnects, Challenges, Cryogenic operation

Wed, Oct 20 — Pan 13 — Opportunities for Cryoelectronics to Drive Scaling of Future Quantum Systems

Brian Gaucher: IBM Quantum, USA
Daniel Friedman: IBM Quantum, USA
David Frank: IBM Quantum, USA
Oleg Mukhanov: Seeqc, USA
Edoardo Charbon: EPFL, Switzerland
John Chiaverini: MIT Lincoln Lab, USA
David Reilly: Microsoft, USA
Stefano Pellerano: Intel, USA

Date: Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: It is clear that a Quantum industry is rapidly emerging and evolving, with integration levels in Quantum computing systems scaling from 10s to 100s and towards 1000s of devices. Achieving ever-increasing levels of integration while meeting stringent qubit control and readout requirements poses major challenges. And these challenges will only multiply in the quest to realize systems with the 100s of thousands to millions of devices needed to achieve the holy grail of fault-tolerant quantum computing. To date, instrument-quality room temperature electronics solutions have largely served as the workhorse approach for supporting quantum computing research, development, and early system deployment. As system qubit counts scale, however, today’s electronics paradigms will come under increasing cost, size, connectivity, and performance pressures. One potential approach to alleviating these pressures is the use of custom integrated circuits that operate at cryogenic temperatures. The promise of this approach is that highly integrated designs located in closer proximity to qubits will address multiple system and performance bottlenecks. A cryoelectronics-driven approach also comes with significant challenges, however, including achieving extremely low power while meeting noise, timing, and performance demands. It is the goal of this panel to present and explore the ways in which leveraging cryoelectronics might enable a leap forward in realizable scalability for quantum computing systems. Opportunities, barriers, and potential proof points for the usage of cryoelectronics will be discussed in the context of systems built from a range of underlying Quantum device technologies.
Keywords:  Quantum, Quantum Computing, Qubit control, Qubit readout, Quantum Scaling, Cryoelectronics, Quantum technologies, Cryo CMOS

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 14 — Getting Quantum Computing to Production in the Near-term

Moderator: Katherine Londergan: CMO: Zapata Computing, USA
Christopher Savoie: CEO & Co-Founder, Zapata Computing, USA
Yudong Cao: CTO & Co-Founder, Zapata Computing, USA
Jun Kato: Managing Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Chemical, Japan
Kevin Kissell: Technical Director, HPC Cloud and Quantum, Google Cloud Office of the CTO, USA
Kasey Shah: Enterprise Cloud Architect, Google Cloud, USA
Organizer: Mick Emmett: Zapata Computing, USA

Date: Thursday, Oct 21, 2021
Time: 13:00-14:30 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Agenda
  1. Fireside Chat with Christopher Savoie and Jun Kato (recorded)
  2. Panel on Getting Quantum Computing to Production in the Near-term with Katherine Londergan, Christopher Savoie & Yudong Cao, Zapata Computing and Kevin Kissell & Kasey Shah, Google
  3. Interaction and Q/A with Audience
Abstract: We’ve seen amazing progress in quantum science, hardware and algorithms in the quantum computing community, and that progress is only accelerating. But there is a gap between these breakthroughs’ potential and what it will take to make them real, i.e., solving complex business problems and delivering measurable impact. A performant quantum computing solution, delivered in production, can only create impact when it works with highly complex architectures of data and compute in massive organizations.
In the next several years, we will see quantum-enabled solutions delivered as production systems, comprised of mostly classical methods and resources. Then, when increasingly capable quantum devices come online, having deployment architectures in place that can utilize these machines will be critical.
Our goal is to surface what’s required for quantum to be useful and performant in the enterprise in the near-term. This panel will discuss what is needed from business and IT leaders to make these solutions viable. This includes principles such as:
  • forward-compatibility up and down the stack
  • remaining flexible and avoiding vendor lock-in
  • quantum and classical computing working in tandem
  • failure modes between a POC and a production solution
  • other relevant points we will work with our panelists to source
We can say with confidence that there is a path where quantum computing becomes a production technology and delivers impact instead of hype. This panel session will illuminate that path.
Keywords:  Quantum computing, production, algorithms, deployment, enterprise

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 15 — Ethics in Quantum Computing

John Havens: IEEE Initiative on Ethics, USA
Bruce Kraemer: Enterprise Solutions, USA

Date: Thursday, Oct 21, 2021
Time: 15:15-16:45 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: While the field of Quantum Information Sciences is relatively new there has already emerged a desire to identify and discuss Ethical topics relevant to Quantum technologies in anticipation of broader market deployments. While the level of maturity, scope, and approach for Quantum computing varies significantly from the fields encompassing Artificial Intelligence, as quantum computing may also someday supplant or replace traditional computing, multiple aspects of the framing of how Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) and its creators access human data and influence society at large provide a precedent for how ethically aligned approaches to quantum computing could be instantiated today.
Engineering and technology disciplines are more proactively considering the socio-economic implications of new technologies that may enter the market. Over the past few years the IEEE has published a significant body of knowledge related to Ethics and Artificial Intelligence. In this session, John C. Havens, Executive Director of the IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, will moderate a panel examining how formulating ethically aligned design principles, especially regarding communication of how the technology will affect society at large, should begin as soon as possible to increase responsible and purpose-driven innovation for Quantum Computing. The goal of the session is to delineate and incite audience engagement in QIS Ethics to begin to build a community of experts that can continue to advance the dialog after the conference.
Keywords: Ethics, Artificial intelligence, Quantum Information Sciences

Thu, Oct 21 — Pan 16 — Technical and Organizational Aspects of Developing Applications for Early Quantum Computers

Denny Dahl: ColdQuanta, Inc., USA
Steve Reinhardt: Quantum Computing Inc., USA
Aussie Schnore: GE Global Research, USA
Carleton Coffrin: Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), USA
Megan Kohagen: Honeywell Quantum Solutions, USA
Marouane Salhi: Qubit Engineering, Inc., USA
Martin Leib: IQM, Germany
Sue Mniszewski: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), USA
Sebastian Feld: Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands

Date: Thursday, Oct 21, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Developing applications for early quantum computers (QCs) is complicated by immature software tools and algorithms, the lack of performance advantage on real-world problems, diverse hardware implementations, and rapid change. With the uncertain arrival date of performance advantage, motivating and sustaining organizational interest in developing such apps is difficult. This panel of app developers for early QCs explores their experiences with both technical and organizational aspects. Among the questions to be addressed about quantum application development are these:
  • Is the quantum circuit model an appropriate API?
  • Are unitary transformations the right model?
  • Should higher level APIs exist?
  • What skill set is required?
  • What kinds of ROI do companies expect from successful quantum applications?
  • Which application verticals are likely to benefit initially from quantum advantage?
Defining quantum advantage as superior quantum performance on a real-world problem and quantum preference as a bias for QC use in expectation of quantum advantage, is quantum advantage or quantum preference a stronger motivation for involvement in quantum application development? Involvement in quantum application development provides end-users a front-row seat to the developing ecosystem of QC. With current QCs, this experience generally requires extreme down-sizing and simplification of problems as well as a relaxation of standards by which one measures successful development experiences. These real-world experiences must be weighed against potential future performance advantages. How are these trade-offs accomplished? How are organizations motivated to sustain an effort like this when the horizon for potential pay-off cannot be predicted with certainty?
Keywords: Quantum computing, quantum-computing applications, quantum-computing software

Fri, Oct 22 — Pan 17 — National Quantum Initiative Roundtable

Moderator: Candace Culhane: Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), USA
Moderator: Travis Humble: Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), USA
David Awschalom: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), USA
David Dean: Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), USA
Anna Grassellino: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), USA
Andrew Houck: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), USA
Irfan Siddiqi: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), USA

Date: Friday, Oct 22, 2021
Time: 10:45-12:15 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: The National Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centers constitute the first large-scale QIS effort that crosses the technical breadth of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The aim of the Centers, coupled with DOE’s core research portfolio, is to create and to steward the ecosystem needed to foster and facilitate advancement of QIS, with major anticipated national impact on national security, economic competitiveness, and America’s continued leadership in science. This panel provides a forum for the Center Directors from each of the five QIS Centers to talk about their center, focusing on their vision for each Center, including research goals, current plans, and challenges. 
Keywords:  NQI, QIS, DOE

Fri, Oct 22 — Pan 18 — On the Use of Applications as Performance Benchmarks for Quantum Computing

Tom Lubinski: Quantum Circuits Inc. & Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), USA
Joe Emerson: Keysight, Canada
Sonika Johri: IonQ, USA
Tim Mattson: Intel, USA
Raphael Pooser: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), USA
Tim Proctor: Sandia Quantum Performance laboratory, USA
Nik Stamatopoulos: Goldman Sachs, USA

Date: Friday, Oct 22, 2021
Time: 13:00-14:30 Mountain Time (MDT) — UTC-6
Abstract: Quantum computing is rapidly becoming available to a wide range of potential users, through cloud services and using novel hardware based on various physical technologies. The quality of these early machines can vary widely and there is a need to have an easy-to-use and robust methodology that could be used for evaluating their performance. Many well-known methods exist, such as randomized benchmarking or quantum volume, by which the power of quantum computing hardware can be gauged. Yet there is no easy way to derive from these component and machine-level characteristics an estimate of how well a machine will execute a particular quantum application. The most effective way to determine how an application will perform may be to actually run the application. Recently, there has been increased interest in using quantum applications as a way to determine how well quantum computers can execute real workloads, both simple and complex. Familiar algorithms or applications, structured to collect performance metrics can provide a useful mechanism for new users to understand just what a quantum machine is capable of. However, the use of applications as benchmarks is sometimes considered a ’blunt tool’ for characterizing hardware performance. This panel will address the challenges, as well as the merits and weaknesses of this application-oriented approach to benchmarking the performance of quantum computers.
Keywords: Quantum computing, benchmarking, application, quantum, computing, benchmark, quantum application