EU@SXSW: Tackling Climate Change with Quantum Computing

Quantum computing — to the layperson these words may evoke images of infinitesimal particles or a cat in a box, who may be alive, dead, or both. But to the people studying this relatively new field of computing, it shows tremendous promise.

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a type of computing where information is processed using quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement. This differentiates it from classical computers that use bits, which can store a maximum of two values, zero or one.

Rather than bits, quantum computing uses qubits (quantum bits). Just like classical bits, a qubit has two distinct states. Unlike a classical bit, a qubit can be in what’s called a “superposition state,” which basically represents both a one and a zero at the same time. So, rather than analyzing a one or a zero, superposition lets two qubits represent four scenarios at the same time.

Still lost? Whurley, founder and CEO of Strangeworks, explains that if a classical bit is a coin, it can only exist in a heads or tails state. A qubit, by contrast, is more like an orange or a soccer ball, in that those two states are possible, along with every other state in the 360 degrees of that sphere.

One qubit can take the value of two bits. Two qubits can take the values of four bits. And on exponentially.

EU@SXSW Panel

For now, let’s leave understanding quantum computing to the professionals in this emerging field and instead, consider the question: What are its possibilities? That’s a question that the panel at the EU@SXSW panel, “Tackling Climate Change with Quantum Computing,” discussed at length.

Moderator Liz Wiley, co-founder of French Tech Austin and Honorary Consul of France in Austin was joined by the Ambassador of France, Philippe Etienne; Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO of Pasqal; Alfonso Amendola, Technology Principal at ENI Next; and William Hurley, Founder & CEO of Strangeworks, better known as Whurley.

If modern climate change is caused by human activity, then technology will have to play a leading part in the fight against it. There have already been great strides in tech that limits CO2 emissions, with quantum computing leading the charge.

France is one of the European countries that’s investing heavily in quantum computing with the hope of gaining a leading role in this area. France has been investing in startups more over the past 5-6 years, with a great focus on quantum computing. Etienne calls it “a matter of sovereignty.” Because quantum computing is horizontal, Etienne adds that it will “bring a positive disruption in all fields,” completely accelerating everything. Something which a government ignores at their own risk.

Reymond echoes Etienne’s sentiments, calling quantum computing the next “government arms race.” Because it’s really about economic power. Computing is at the heart of every economy, and Reymond calls quantum computing the next economic world growth.

Pasqal is already exploring specific use cases across industries, with a focus on smart mobility. Reymond described their current work with EDF, a leading French utility company, optimizing charging schedules for electric vehicles, making energy usage more efficient. Quantum computers can handle computations at incredibly high levels of complexity. They can maximize efficiency on the power grid and make electric cars a more widely feasible option: two ways EDF is combating global warming.

Quantum Possibilities

The implications of developing quantum computing don’t end with climate change. There are possibilities in enabling AI, medicine production by computing the efficacy of molecules, and even space travel. However, Reymond says that quantum computing won’t replace classical computing. He adds, “you wouldn’t ask Einstein to solve a simple math problem.” Classical computing will always have its domain, while quantum computing takes us into the realm of sci-fi.

And that’s what Whurley says he wants people to understand more than anything. Quantum computing isn’t about taking this powerful new tech and applying it to today’s problems. Rather, at this point we can’t even conceive of what it can do.

He likens it to the Henry Ford quote: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” It’s similar to the invention of the microprocessor in the 60s. No one back then could’ve had any idea of how it would change the world, or all the ways it would be used today.

“Quantum computing,” Whurley adds, “is going to change computing more in the next 10 years than computing has changed in all of history.” And that change is going to be in ways we can’t really conceive of, yet.

“The world we live in is so amazing and it’s about to change in ways people can’t imagine,” he says. “If we’re not in front of that change, then we’re gonna be the victims of it.”

The U.S.’s Investment in Quantum Computing

While President Biden is supporting legislation that would allocate $100 billion for emerging technology, including quantum computing, as of publication, the U.S. isn’t leading the charge worldwide. According to Whurley (and Global Tech Outlook) China has invested $10 billion in quantum computing, whereas the U.S.’s $1.2 billion. If this is indeed a modern-day arms race, it makes you wonder if the U.S. will catch up.

But VCs and other investors aren’t missing the opportunity to invest early. ENI Next is a corporate venture capital company who invests in high-growth start-ups that are working toward a zero-carbon future. ENI is a major investor in Pasqal. Alfonso Amendola, ENI’s technology principal, described the decision to take Pasqal on as “quite a straightforward bet.”

In addition to investing in Pasqal, Amendola says that ENI is invested in other climate-change related tech. Tech such as magnetic fusion, energy storage, and hydrogen.

In short, quantum computing is a burgeoning sector. And if it is indeed today’s arms race, it’s ripe with possibilities for our future and for entrepreneurs alike.