Saudi Arabia is making big strides in technology. Recently, they installed their first quantum computer, a 200-qubit machine. A partnership between Saudi Aramco and the French tech firm Pasqal is building a powerful computer.
The machine is expected to be ready in the second half of 2025. This project is a major step in using advanced technology in the energy sector. The quantum computer will help solve complex problems and find new uses for this technology. Georges-Olivier Reymond, the CEO of Pasqal, said that this is not just any quantum computer. It is the most powerful tool for industrial use and will start a new era of innovation for businesses and society. He emphasized that the era of quantum computing is here and that it is now being used in real-world applications.
Quantum computing is special because it can solve problems that traditional computers cannot. It uses qubits, which are more advanced than the binary bits in regular computers. Quantum computers are also much faster. For example, in 2019, Google’s Sycamore chip solved a math problem in 200 seconds that would have taken 10,000 years on a regular computer.
Currently, most quantum computers have about 100 qubits. However, solving the biggest problems may require machines with 100,000 or even one million qubits. Last year, IBM developed the world’s first 1,000-qubit chip called Condor, breaking its previous record. Other big tech companies like Microsoft and Quantinuum are also working on improving the field. They announced new technology to reduce errors in computing algorithms.
The new quantum computer in Saudi Arabia will support the country’s push towards a digital future. It will help Saudi Aramco integrate advanced solutions into their business. Ahmad Al Khowaiter, Saudi Aramco’s executive vice president for technology and innovation, said this is evidence of their contribution to the digital economy. He believes it is important to take advantage of new technologies and aims to lead the use of quantum computing in the energy sector.
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