Quantum Computers: a breakthrough in information processing and in machine programming at IBM
Michele Grossi
(IBM Italy)
Abstract:
The age of quantum computing is just around the corner. After years of study and development in the laboratories of universities and research centers, the first prototypes of quantum processors are now publicly available to anyone who wants to start experimenting with their potential. They implement a new computing paradigm that, based on the quantum properties of matter, allows in principle to exceed the capabilities of classical processors in solving complex problems and of enormous scientific and industrial interest.,
In this talk we’ll describe the basics of the technology from industrial point of view, applications and algorithms for quantum computing, showing where we are in the timeline toward reaching quantum advantage - the point where quantum computing shows demonstrable and significant advantage over classical computers.
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM in Aula Delta
Quantum Machine Learning
Alejandro Perdomo Ortiz
(Zapata - Toronto, Canada)
Abstract:
We introduce quantum-assisted machine learning with Quantum Circuits and with Quantum Annealers. With quantum computing technologies nearing the era of commercialisation and quantum advantage, machine learning (ML) has been proposed as one of the promising killer applications. Despite significant effort, there has been a disconnect between most quantum ML proposals, the needs of ML practitioners, and the capabilities of near-term quantum devices towards a conclusive demonstration of a meaningful quantum advantage in the near future. In this set of lectures, we provide concrete examples of intractable ML tasks that could be enhanced with near-term devices. We argue that to reach this target, the focus should be on areas where ML researchers are struggling, such as generative models in unsupervised and semi-supervised learning, instead of the popular and more tractable supervised learning tasks. We focus on hybrid quantum-classical approaches and illustrate some of the key challenges we foresee for near-term implementations. We will present as well recent experimental implementations of these quantum ML models in both gate-based (superconducting-qubit and ion-trap) quantum computers and in quantum annealers.
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 13:00 PM in Aula Delta
Quantum Programming
Tomas Babej
(ProteinQure Inc. - Toronto, Canada and QOSF)
Abstract:
In this lecture we will address the paradigms of quantum computing based on quantum annealing (D-Wave's stack), and continuous-variable QC (based on Xanadu's stack), with practical, hands-on examples.
Date: Monday, September 23, 2019 at 14:30 PM Aula Delta