Thus, like the Greek myth, Spain has made the great leap between the two worlds, moving from theory (Ideas) to practice in the quantum field. But who has achieved this, and how?

The pioneer has been Bizkaia Lantik, a top technology firm working for the Public Administration which, in collaboration with IBM and Accenture, has become the first public sector company in Spain to run an application on a genuine quantum computer.

In quantum computing there are two paradigms: the adiabatic quantum computer (or single-purpose computer for optimisation problems) and the quantum gate computer (universal). Previously, only the private sector had been able to carry out executions on a real quantum computer, but no governmental company had.

To achieve this, the team used the Fourier transform, a mathematical transformation capable of processing waves as signals. Imagine a formula capable of determining what primary colours any colour is made up of, or even separating the different frequencies in the latest hit song you danced to yesterday. In fact, using this formula, we could ascertain what song’s playing anywhere; by separating a song into all its pure frequencies it’s able to contrast it with all the songs that exist and find the perfect match. That’s right, it’s one of the tools used by the famous Shazam application to find that tune you can’t stop humming even though you don’t know what band created it.

The Fourier transform, in its quantum version, is used within theoretical quantum algorithms. For example, Shor’s algorithm (a factorisation algorithm, named after Peter Shor himself), which is used, for example, to decipher secret cryptographic codes; or HHL (the quantum algorithm for systems of linear equations, the acronym comprised of its creators’ initials), which is used to calculate how and at what speed an aeroplane should take off and fly. The successful execution of the quantum Fourier transform, which is an important part of theoretical quantum algorithms, has been shown to work, and opens the door to moving from theory to practice in quantum computing.

In other words, having successfully executed this application, it’s as if, at the time when the first calculators were being developed, we had achieved the same result by doing the sum on paper as on the calculator. At first glance, this may seem insignificant, but the reality is that this first run is essential to be able to perform any other function.

Reaching this goal is of vital importance to continue advancing in the quantum field, and has been possible thanks to the teamwork and support of digital dragons: companies with a very powerful technological foundations allowing them to “fly” very far and to stand as clear leaders in these emerging technologies. In this case IBM has the hardware and, thanks to its agreement with Bizkaia Lantik, the technology multinational Accenture has had access to and has been able to execute the quantum Fourier transform. This is a unique opportunity to continue learning and expanding the knowledge acquired so far.

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!

Through BizkaiaTech and its most visionary and transformative commitment, “Quantum Ecosystem”, universities, the business and technology communities, and citizens will benefit from the availability of a universal purpose computer. It will not only encourage experimentation, learning and co-creation, but it will also spawn new business opportunities and sources of income, attract global talent, and improve quality of life, among other things.

Through specialisation in the development of quantum computers (hardware) and proofs of concept in use cases that have an impact on different fields (software), advances will be exponential in many areas: optimisation, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence…

Artificial Intelligence could be further enhanced by quantum computing, using more accurate and efficient algorithms. Virtual assistants would be more humanised and contextualised.

BASIC QUANTUM COMPUTING

The development of software to make it easier for people to access all that a quantum computer has to offer. We will be able to enjoy the latest applications thanks to the new tools available to the industry.

SECURE COMMUNICATIONS

The system’s “gates” can be instantly closed if it detects that someone has decided to “crash the party”.

POST-QUANTUM ENCRYPTION

The systems will be like an impregnable fortress, where no hacker or quantum computer will be able to access your information.

MARINE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by efficiently managing and improving global marine traffic.

AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

National, European and global air traffic will be monitored, and we will know in real time whether our flight is delayed, or the best stopover to reach our destination.

BANKING AND FINANCIAL MARKETS

Financial products will be more tailored to our needs, and we will spend less time in long lines at banks for different operations.

TAX MANAGEMENT

Tax fraud will be easier to detect, and contributions will be more adapted to the realities of each individual and the needs of the Public Administration.

ASSEMBLY LINE OPTIMISATION

Through organisation and process improvement, assembly lines will make better use of materials and reduce waste.

NEW MATERIALS

Be green, my friend! Materials such as batteries for mobile phones and electric cars will be better and also much more sustainable: they will be biodegradable and capable of CO2 capture.

ULTRA-PRECISE DIAGNOSTICS AND ULTRA-PERSONALISED TREATMENTS

Health comes first… and you know it! New quantum applications will make our lives much easier in this respect, as they will be able to detect potential health problems faster, facilitate the implementation of new surgical procedures, and allow the dosage and composition of drugs to be adjusted in a fully personalised way.

SUSTAINABLE COMPUTING

Much more for less. The most complex challenges faced by the quantum computers of the future would be solved efficiently and sustainably, greatly reducing their energy consumption.

There’s no doubt that this small quantum step is much more than it seems, and launches us at great speed towards the discovery of a universe beyond our galaxy. Little by little, through experimentation and effort, physicists studying those Ideas Plato spoke of are managing to bring them into the real world, and to move from theory to practice.

Access to and the possibility of executing algorithms on a quantum logic gate computer is the beginning of a technological revolution that’s taking off in Spain and that will allow us to face challenges that aren’t only innovative, but also destined to improve our lives.