Raphaël de Thoury is a deep tech entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in innovation, startups, and industrial R&D. As CEO of Pasqal Canada, he leads the corporate’s North American expansion, fostering quantum computing advancements in energy, finance, mobility, and materials. Before joining Pasqal, he founded and exited Particlever, a nanotech company, and has held leadership roles in innovation strategy and product industrialization.
Pasqal is a quantum computing company that has evolved from years of research and development led by experts in the sector, including a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. The corporate makes a speciality of neutral-atom quantum computing, leveraging advancements in physics and engineering to develop production-ready quantum computers.
Initially rooted in laboratory research, Pasqal has transitioned right into a industrial entity, offering each hardware and full-stack solutions for enterprises. Its technology goals to bridge the gap between theoretical quantum applications and real-world use cases, providing clients with tools for implementation across various industries. With a deal with scalability and accessibility, Pasqal positions itself as a key player within the growing quantum ecosystem.
Traditional computational models often struggle with handling the vast and sophisticated datasets required for critical business decisions. What specific limitations of those traditional systems does quantum computing address, and the way might it transform decision-making for industries with high data demands?
Traditional computing systems struggle with solving the complex problems that arise from intricate data structures and relationships. While they’ll handle large datasets, they often lack the processing power to navigate the complexity and interdependencies inside that data. These systems are limited of their ability to search out optimal solutions efficiently, especially in real-time scenarios, they usually may be energy intensive. Quantum computing excels at addressing these challenges by harnessing quantum superposition and entanglement to process multiple possibilities concurrently. Quantum computing enhances the capability to resolve complex, multi-dimensional problems higher than traditional systems. Neutral atom quantum systems, with their ability to administer intricate quantum states, are well-suited for tasks requiring the exploration of vast solution spaces, similar to optimization, pattern recognition, and simulation, across industries with high data demands. While quantum computers should not necessarily higher for generating large datasets, their real power lies in tackling the complexity that arises when analyzing and making decisions from data.
While AI has advanced in processing and analyzing large datasets, it has its own limitations. How does quantum computing enhance or extend AI’s capabilities in handling complex computations? Could you share some specific scenarios where quantum and AI may very well be combined to attain higher results?
The challenge lies in identifying situations complex enough to bring value to AI while working throughout the constraints of a limited variety of qubits. I’m confident that existing quantum machines, operating at a scale of a whole lot of qubits, can deliver substantial value for AI models. This focus represents a transparent and achievable path the corporate is actively pursuing.
Quantum and AI may be combined to attain higher ends in areas like enhanced simulations and hybrid models. Quantum computing can tackle complex simulations, similar to molecular modeling and high-dimensional data problems, beyond AI’s capabilities. Moreover, hybrid models can improve efficiency by addressing challenges that neither technology can solve alone, with quantum handling specialized tasks like optimization and AI processing the outcomes, making it ideal for applications like drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling.
What are the important thing industries where quantum computing has immediate applicability, and why are sectors like energy, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals particularly well-suited for quantum solutions?
Quantum computing, particularly with neutral atom systems, has immediate applicability in industries similar to energy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, finance, and logistics—sectors that either interact directly with atoms or require supercomputing capabilities. Neutral atoms are already superior in material science, so neutral atom quantum computing excels in simulating matter and positioning atoms with unparalleled precision, enabling breakthroughs in drug discovery, optimizing electricity grids, modeling molecular structures, and even satellite positioning. Unlike classical computers, quantum systems provide superior accuracy for problems involving complex atomic interactions, making them transformative for industries focused on energy efficiency, material science, and large-scale optimization challenges.
Looking forward to 2025, what major trends do you foresee shaping the quantum and AI landscape?
Within the yr ahead, we’re anticipating advancements in two key areas:
- The primary is to proceed progress on fault tolerant quantum computing, which is the power of a quantum computer to perform calculations accurately even when errors occur, with more error correction. An example of us moving in that direction is Google’s December 2024 announcement of their quantum chip, Willow.
- One other emerging trend is the growing recognition of neutral atoms’ utility in quantum computing. Neutral atoms are particularly remarkable right away because they provide more possibilities beyond just fault-tolerant quantum computing. One other major advantage of neutral atoms is that they’re significantly more energy efficient in comparison to plain quantum computing. This momentum is driven by their ability to deliver meaningful results using a more analog approach, specifically leveraging the precise positioning of atoms. This approach is anticipated to pave a transparent path for further advancements in the sector.
Could you share Pasqal’s vision for the long run of quantum computing and the way it aligns with anticipated technological breakthroughs?
Pasqal envisions a future where analog quantum computing complements traditional high-performance computing systems to deal with complex industrial challenges. By specializing in delivering tangible results today, Pasqal goals to attain quantum advantage well before fault-tolerant quantum computing becomes viable. This vision aligns with the European ambition to deploy the primary supercomputer with quantum acceleration by 2025, paving the best way for cutting-edge quantum capabilities by 2030.
With proven success in quantum simulation for material science and advancements in pharmaceutical research through quantum graph machine learning, Pasqal is driving progress by combining scientific innovation with practical industrial applications. This integrated approach ensures quantum computing delivers meaningful value to finish users globally inside this decade.
Pasqal has pioneered neutral atom quantum technology, known for its speed and energy efficiency. Could you walk us through how this technology differs from other quantum approaches and the unique advantages it provides?
Neutral atom quantum technology emphasizes energy efficiency over raw speed. While it might operate more slowly as a result of the precision required for positioning and rearranging atoms, its strength lies in the power to manage qubits with exceptional precision. This technology offers unique benefits in comparison with other forms of quantum computing, similar to scalability and adaptability, with qubit arrays configurable in 2D or 3D structures. Beyond precise positioning, it enables complex interactions and simulations, making it particularly well-suited for applications demanding high precision and resource-efficient computation.
Pasqal’s system is notable for its low power consumption, likened to the energy use of a hair dryer. How does this sustainability factor impact industries looking to cut back their carbon footprint?
There are two different impacts to sustainability that neutral atom quantum computing can provide. The primary profit is its ability to make use of significantly less energy than AI or traditional computing. By adopting quantum technologies, even at a more basic level of understanding, the subsequent generation of quantum systems could have a significant sustainable impact, helping industries reduce their carbon footprint while achieving powerful computational results.
The second impact is how quantum can profit the energy industry itself. A 2024 study published in Energies highlights how quantum computing can minimize environmental impact by enhancing renewable energy forecasting. This optimization can boost the performance of battery and solar technologies while potentially reducing hydrogen production costs by as much as 60%. As an illustration, quantum computing could improve solar cell efficiency from roughly 20% to as much as 40%, paving the best way for cheaper renewable energy solutions.
What role does Pasqal’s full-stack ecosystem play in providing a seamless experience for clients? Could you share more in regards to the components of this stack and the expertise that supports it?
Pasqal’s strategy is to make quantum computing accessible and relevant to businesses at various levels. Whether engaged in basic research or looking for practical, business-focused solutions, Pasqal connects its quantum technology to the particular needs of every company. Our goal is to supply an ecosystem that meets the varied needs of our clients, offering every part from foundational research for those on the forefront of innovation to practical, user-friendly solutions for businesses aiming to optimize their operations and integrate quantum technology. With this full-stack approach, any organization can explore and profit from quantum technology, with the support and tools they need. Pasqal’s ecosystem is designed to supply a seamless experience and ensure quantum technology may be easily integrated into diverse industries.
With Pasqal’s diverse client base across sectors like finance, aerospace, and healthcare, are there any specific success stories or case studies you could possibly share that highlight quantum’s impact?
Pasqal’s collaboration with EDF, the most important energy provider in France and a frontrunner in the worldwide energy market who’s committed to adapting to a rapidly changing industry landscape, is a major example of quantum computing’s impact across industries. EDF, facing challenges in energy demand forecasting and optimization, partnered with Pasqal to reinforce their capabilities. Notably, the collaboration helped EDF simulate environmental variables affecting renewable energy production, optimize energy distribution, and simulate material aging in nuclear power plants, that are examples of tasks that were previously limited by classical computing methods. This partnership demonstrates the ability of quantum computing in energy, providing more accurate simulations and potential advancements in areas like smart charging for electric vehicles and energy production forecasting.
How close are we to seeing quantum applications grow to be a part of day-to-day business operations? What role do you see Pasqal playing in making quantum a viable option for more industries?
Quantum applications, especially in chemistry and drug discovery, are near becoming mainstream. Pasqal is concentrated on these sectors, understanding that to drive adoption, we must address specific industry needs. With its expertise in neutral atom quantum technology, Pasqal is well-positioned to make an actual impact. Even limited applications can result in transformative breakthroughs. Pasqal foresees demonstrating quantum advantage inside the subsequent two years in multiple industrial use cases, with groundbreaking advancements in pharmaceutical drug development and screening expected inside the subsequent five years. Pasqal’s role will probably be crucial in making quantum a viable, accessible option for more industries, helping them integrate quantum solutions into on a regular basis business operations and achieve meaningful value well before the top of the last decade.
