EPB's Quantum in Business conference shows companies testing quantum now

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EPB Quantum hosted its Quantum in Business conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this week, with more than 450 business leaders, researchers and officials attending, according to The Quantum Insider. EPB is the city's electric utility, and it has built one of the more unusual quantum programmes in the US, with its own quantum network and partnerships with IonQ. The conference was pitched at businesses rather than physicists. The message was that companies can start experimenting now rather than waiting for perfect machines

Several results were presented. Synopsys and IonQ showed quantum algorithms cutting runtime by between 5.9 and 14.6 percent in automotive and jet engine simulations. Numana tested quantum safe cybersecurity with Nokia Canada, Crypto4A and evolutionQ on Canada's Kirq testbed. EPB's own Quantum Computing Fellows worked with IonQ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Nvidia to optimise parts of the energy grid for better reliability

IonQ and EPB Quantum also launched CQ Connect, a webinar series to help businesses in sectors like biotech, insurance and manufacturing explore quantum computing and networking. On the academic side, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has connected to the quantum network, and Vanderbilt plans to launch an Institute for Quantum Innovation with about 250 researchers. Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee State University are strengthening statewide links as well

EPB chief executive Janet Rehberg said: "Businesses don't have to wait on the sidelines. They can start exploring how these technologies can address their challenges now." It is an interesting position for a utility to take. Most power companies are not known for early adoption of experimental technology. Chattanooga has form, though, having built a city wide fibre network long before most of the US

Is it sensible for ordinary businesses to start exploring quantum now, or is this mostly marketing? And should UK cities be trying something similar?

Quantum in Business Conference Highlights Commercial Quantum Applicationsthequantuminsider.com