By Ron Chen, Correspondent ASEAN Region

The applied research pillar of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Tuesday announced that its Quantum Research Centre (QRC) has developed the first simulation version of ‘Qibo’, a versatile open-source quantum computing programming framework, in collaboration with researchers from around the world.

The development follows a series of rapid announcements at TII since the first ATRC board meeting in August 2020.

TII strives to create innovation for a better world. The development of an open-source programming framework will have compelling benefits for the global research community.

Qibo is designed to support quantum algorithms across different computer systems, including support to hardware accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and multiple quantum devices. This versatility makes Qibo easy to use for quantum programming and accelerates research and applications. Written in programming languages such as Python and C/C++, Qibo is the entry point for a full stack programming platform, able to run quantum algorithms across different quantum computers and simulators.

Qibo is a joint project by Quantum Research Centre; Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, the Barcelona-based quantum computing company; and researchers at other global centres. TII’s Quantum Research Centre team is led by Chief Researcher Prof José Ignacio Latorre. The first release of Qibo was published in September 2020, with the final version set for launch within the next two years.

Speaking on the announcement, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), said: “The fact that Qibo is open-source will be a significant advantage to the world of programming and marks a major contribution to the research community and the advancement of scientific inquiry. Initial benchmark studies that show Qibo outperforming other computing languages is a clear indication of the quality of research currently being undertaken at Quantum Research Centre at Technology Innovation Institute.”

Prof José Ignacio Latorre, Chief Researcher at Quantum Research Centre, said: “We are committed to innovation that transcends boundaries. The quantum advantage in computing will offer notable benefits to broader society, ranging from life-sciences, artificial intelligence, and finance.”

QRC is one of seven initial dedicated research centres that are part of TII. The Qibo code published in the research paper can be accessed via a GitHub link [https://qibo.science/].