On the Way to a Quantum Computer for Gdańsk. Gdańsk Tech's Agreement with IQM Quantum Computers

Establishing cooperation with such an important player on the global stage of modern technologies is a major success for Gdańsk Tech. Thanks to the launch of the “Kraken” supercomputer last year, acquiring a quantum computer and combining the capabilities of both would not only give the university, but the entire city of Gdańsk, an unquestionably high position on the map of European academic centers using the most advanced technologies and actively supporting their development.

For the Finnish company IQM, the agreement with Gdańsk Tech is a continuation of the corporation’s strategy of international market expansion, as Poland is the company’s seventh global office, operating in the USA, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. The company employs staff from 47 different nationalities and is currently focused on accelerating the market adoption of quantum solutions for enterprises, research institutions, and academic environments, while collaborating with quantum stakeholders. In the case of the agreement with Gdańsk Tech, the joint work of both entities aims, among others, to develop innovative, personalized solutions in medicine, cryptography, and artificial intelligence.

“Possibilities beyond imagination”

The agreement was signed on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in the Senate Hall of Gdańsk Tech. The university was represented by Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech, and Prof. Jerzy Proficz, Director of the TASK Computing Center, which operates the “Kraken” supercomputer on a daily basis. IQM was represented by Mikko Välimäki, CEO of IQM Finland Oy, and Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal, who will assume the role of IQM Director for the Central and Eastern Europe market starting June 1.

– Quantum computers signify a worldwide technological revolution that has only just begun to develop and in which we intend to participate – emphasizes Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech. – This technology, combined with the enormous computing power of our “Kraken” supercomputer, will provide us with development opportunities that literally defy imagination. Moreover, building such a computer in Pomerania will be an excellent platform for cooperation between Gdańsk Tech scientists and leaders of the global modern technology market. But not only that, also with other Gdańsk universities. Firstly, with the University of Gdańsk, where outstanding quantum theorists work, and secondly with the Medical University of Gdańsk, since in the broadly defined field of medical digitization, we could offer a great deal as the Pomeranian scientific community. I have deep hope that the cooperation between Gdańsk Tech and IQM will significantly bring us closer to realizing this ambitious goal – he added.

– Through this expansion and cooperation with Gdańsk Tech, we see the opportunity to drive innovation in quantum development that will bring direct benefits to the Polish scientific, business, and industrial ecosystem – said Mikko Välimäki, CEO of IQM Quantum Computers. – This is part of our commitment to creating a global quantum community and strengthening our position as a market leader collaborating with the best research teams.

– As a Pole, I am excited about IQM’s presence in my homeland and the opportunity to lead and simultaneously “drive” the future of IQM in Poland and this part of Europe – said Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal. – Starting this new chapter, I look forward to close cooperation with our partners, companies, and the academic community to ensure they benefit from our quantum research and solutions – she added.

– I am very much looking forward to the introduction of the advanced quantum computing technology offered by IQM to the TASK Computing Center at Gdańsk Tech. This solution will significantly expand our research capabilities, allowing us to address complex challenges in fields such as cryptography, materials science, and artificial intelligence, as well as providing unique research and development opportunities for our students and Gdańsk Tech – emphasized Prof. Jerzy Proficz, Director of the Computing Center of the Tri-City Academic Computer Network (CI TASK) at Gdańsk Tech.

About IQM Quantum Computers:

IQM is a global leader in building quantum computers. It provides quantum computers for supercomputing centers, enterprises, and research laboratories, as well as offering full access to its hardware. IQM also operates a quantum computing cloud offering "IQM Resonance." IQM's commercial quantum computers include a current commercial project in Finland for the joint development of a 50-qubit quantum computer with VTT, the HPC quantum accelerator consortium led by IQM (Q-Exa) in Germany, and IQM processors will also be used in the first quantum accelerator in Spain. IQM employs over 290 staff with offices in Palo Alto, Warsaw, Paris, Madrid, Munich, Singapore, and Espoo.