The State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and the Russian Quantum Centre (RCC) have announced the creation of the first laboratory in Russia to research and develop machine learning and artificial intelligence methods on quantum computers, specialising in the application of these technologies in the nuclear industry.
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A corresponding agreement was signed between Tsifrum, a company for digitalisation of the nuclear industry, and the Russian Quantum Centre.
The laboratory was formed on the basis of the RCC quantum information technology group and the Tsifrum artificial intelligence laboratory within the framework of the project for the development of the high-tech field Quantum Computing, which Rosatom is implementing by agreement with the Government of the Russian Federation. Its main task is the development of quantum machine learning technologies and quantum optimisation. The creation of quantum computing technologies can drastically accelerate the solution of problems of optimisation, processing of large data arrays, clustering and classification. Another promising area is the use of machine learning and neural networks to study complex (multiparticle) quantum systems.
“The use of quantum computers in the field of artificial intelligence opens up unique opportunities due to the speed of analysis of source data and enumeration of various interdependencies in the search for patterns that are unattainable for traditional computing systems,” said Boris Makevnin, CIO of Tsifrum. - At the same time, it is important to take into account that all quantum computers built to date in the world are, first of all, experimental systems. In order to move to their practical use, in addition to hardware, a software component is also needed: appropriate algorithms, libraries, and tools. Therefore, our laboratory will focus on R&D, which will become the basis for solving several carefully selected and substantiated tasks.”
“Quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, like nuclear energy, are strategically important areas for the Russian economy and strengthening the country's international position. In Russia, the development of quantum technologies is supported at the state level. The cooperation between the RCC and Tsifrum will allow not only to strengthen the development, but also to expand the scientific and entrepreneurial community. We are confident that, as a result of joint work, innovative solutions to the most complex problems will be proposed, and not only in the nuclear industry, ”said Ruslan Yunusov, head of the Rosatom State Corporation's project office for creating a quantum computer.
The opening of the laboratory is also dictated by the need to take into account the global trend, in which leading technology companies begin the transition from experimental developments in the field of quantum computing to pilot calculations, which will be not only theoretical, but also applied in nature, as close as possible to real needs.
“Quantum computers are capable of winning in a number of applications. However, in the field of the practical use of quantum computers, only the first steps are being taken. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are the tasks in which a quantum computer, most likely, will first of all show its benefits,” said Alexei Fedorov, head of the Quantum Information Technologies group of the RCC. - It is no coincidence that the largest foreign corporations are betting on a combination of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. One example is the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab project, which is being implemented by Google with the participation of a number of partners. In addition, today there is an increasing trend towards an increase in data volumes and the needs of their analysis within the nuclear industry. One of our goals is to understand in which areas of Rosatom’s activities the introduction of quantum computing can bring maximum effect and gain the necessary experience in solving prototypes of model problems, so that by the time full-fledged quantum computers appear, not only develop appropriate software, but also form a clear understanding of the best ways to use this new technology. This is the path all technology giants are taking today. ”
