Aramco has signed an agreement with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral atom quantum computing, to install the first quantum computer in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement will see Pasqal install, maintain, and operate a 200-qubit quantum computer, which is scheduled for deployment in the second half of 2025.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco EVP of Technology & Innovation, said:
“Aramco is delighted to partner with Pasqal to bring cutting-edge, high-performance quantum computing capabilities to the Kingdom. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, we believe it is crucial to seize opportunities presented by new, impactful technologies and we aim to pioneer the use of quantum computing in the energy sector. Our agreement with Pasqal allows us to harness the expertise of a leading player in this field, as we continue to build state-of-the-art solutions into our business. It is also further evidence of our contribution to the growth of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia.”
Writing for The National, Alvin Cabral notes that, “Quantum computing uses highly specialised technology to solve complex problems that traditional computers or even supercomputers cannot, or reduce the time it takes to solve them. A qubit – short for quantum bit – is the basic unit of quantum computing that is more versatile than binary bits in classical computers… Currently, some of the world’s biggest technology firms are working with computers with a capacity of about 100 qubits, but to tackle the biggest problems, machines with 100,000 or one million qubits may be required.”
Quantum computers are exponentially faster than its counterparts. In 2019, Google claimed that its Sycamore chip was able to solve a maths problem – that would take 10,000 years – in just 200 seconds.
Late last year, US technology major IBM announced that it had successfully developed the world’s first 1,000-qubit chip, Condor, which more than doubled the previous record of 433 qubits set by IBM’s Osprey chip.
“The era of quantum computing is here. No longer confined to theory, it’s transitioning to real-world applications, empowering organisations to solve previously intractable problems at scale. Since launching Pasqal in 2019, we have directed our efforts towards concrete quantum computing algorithms immediately applicable to customer use cases. Through this agreement, we’ll be at the forefront of accelerating commercial adoption of this transformative technology in Saudi Arabia. This isn’t just any quantum computer; it will be the most powerful tool deployed for industrial usages, unlocking a new era of innovation for businesses and society.”
