2022/05/25
On Monday, May 23, Takayuki Kobayashi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Cabinet Office, visited the Yagami Campus to inspect the university's Quantum Computing Center.
The Keio University Quantum Computing Center is a research hub for quantum computing, which is expected to solve problems that are considered difficult for conventional computers to calculate. The center aims to identify problems that should be solved by quantum computers to contribute to the development of society and industry, and to develop software and hardware for that purpose.
The center houses the "IBM Q Network Hub," providing access to state-of-the-art quantum computer hardware developed by IBM. It serves as an industry-academia collaborative research hub with member companies from various sectors such as finance, chemistry, and automotive participating.
During the visit, with President Kohei Itoh, who was involved in the establishment of the "IBM Quantum Network Hub @ Keio University," in attendance, Professor Naoki Yamamoto of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Director of the Quantum Computing Center, introduced an overview and research results of the center. Researchers also gave a programming demonstration using IBM Q and explained the effects of quantum computing on fields such as semiconductors, supercomputers, and AI.
In addition, an exchange of views was held with Minister Kobayashi, with the participation of researchers dispatched from companies. The lively discussion covered topics such as the potential of quantum computing, the active global research and development competition, the nature of close industry-academia collaboration, and applications to industry.