Insider Brief
- B.C. Premier David Eby and Minister Brenda Bailey visited the Burnaby headquarters of D-Wave Quantum Inc.
- D-Wave also announced a new quantum training program with B.C.-based Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI).
- Critical Quote: “D-Wave is a B.C. innovation success story, driving the global race to solve the complex problems of today and tomorrow through quantum computing while creating jobs and opportunity here at home. I am impressed by these technological advancements and encouraged to see firsthand that applications on D-Wave technology can help with a wide range of critical challenges including climate change, supply chains and energy.” — Premier David Eby.
PRESS RELEASE — B.C. Premier David Eby and Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation Minister Brenda Bailey visited the Burnaby headquarters of D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) to celebrate the latest breakthroughs in quantum computing and gain a deeper understanding into how the innovative technology can be applied to today’s societal and business challenges. D-Wave also announced a new quantum training program with B.C.-based Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI) to accelerate the development of a quantum-ready workforce. QAI brings together industry, academia and government to harness British Columbia’s reputation as a leader in quantum computing.
The visit comes following the release of the Province’s new StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which positions technology as a key growth area and looks to businesses to foster innovation and integrate technology to improve the way services are delivered. D-Wave, a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, and the only company in the world building both quantum annealing and gate-based quantum computers, has been advancing quantum science since its inception at UBC in 1999. The company recently achieved a significant scientific milestone demonstrating that its system’s use of quantum delivers a speedup over classical for an important class of hard problems.
We believe that D-Wave’s quantum technology is well suited to solving complex optimization problems, many of which are faced by the Province today. From electrical grid reliability to optimization of transportation and emergency response, today’s quantum computing technology can be used to develop new and innovative solutions to drive efficiencies.
“D-Wave is a B.C. innovation success story, driving the global race to solve the complex problems of today and tomorrow through quantum computing while creating jobs and opportunity here at home,” said Premier David Eby. “I am impressed by these technological advancements and encouraged to see firsthand that applications on D-Wave technology can help with a wide range of critical challenges including climate change, supply chains and energy.”
The new D-Wave and QAI joint training program will provide hands-on quantum computing training and experiential learning to B.C. researchers and students working on some of the most complex and challenging questions facing society. The program will provide access to D Wave’s leading quantum computing technologies and help B.C. grow and retain top talent by building up a quantum-ready workforce who may ultimately be end users of the technology. The training program will be piloted over a two-year period and serves as a building block in supporting B.C. quantum innovation effort and building a quantum-knowledgeable and ready workforce.
“British Columbia and D-Wave have long been at the forefront of global quantum innovation and developing the highly skilled workforce that drives it,” said Mark W. Johnson, senior vice president at D-Wave. “We are excited to host Premier Eby and Minister Bailey today to provide them a behind-the-scenes look at our technology, discuss real-world applications of quantum, and highlight our newest training program with the QAI to build a quantum-ready workforce.”
“One aspect of our Future Ready Action plan is aimed at building the workforce for emerging technologies, like quantum computing,” said Minister Bailey. “Our government is taking action to ensure emerging tech businesses like D-Wave continue to have access to a highly skilled and diverse talent pool. We need to train the workforce to be quantum ready now to ensure we can realize the benefits of this promising technology.”
“QAI is excited to partner with D-Wave to increase the number of people working with quantum technologies and provide practical, hands-on skills training and access to quantum hardware for students and researchers,” said Louise Tuner, CEO of the QAI. “The partnership between QAI and D-Wave provides an opportunity to build on the objectives of the Future Ready Action Plan and expand B.C.’s internationally recognized quantum computing workforce. QAI works with B.C. companies to help them realize the advantages of this high-potential technology across a range of industries, including healthcare, transportation and logistics and the natural resource sector.”
For more market insights, check out our latest quantum computing news here.
