Quantum Computing: A Significant Contribution to Israel's Resilience

The vast experience of Israel in past decades has shown the critical importance of innovative technologies at home. This is a key component of Israel's strength, and seldom has it been truer than in the area of quantum technology.

Still at its embryonic phase, quantum technology is being developed by no more than a few hundred companies worldwide. Israel's Quantum Art — alongside industry giants such as IBM, Google and Amazon — is among about 30 of them whose focus is developing complete (full-stack) quantum computing systems and addressing their implications for extensive commercial applications.

"This is universally recognized as a key strategic area, and it is attracting massive investment," says Dr. Tal David, Quantum Art's CEO and co-founder. "Government investment worldwide has exceeded $40 billion in just a few years. Added to this, of course, are major investments by private entities and capital funds."

"Quantum technology is disruptive in every area," says Prof. Roee Ozeri, Quantum Art's scientific founder. "That is, it's a technology which changes all existing market models, improves them and replaces them". Ozeri comments that this has strategic implications for many verticals. ". Therefore, there is an important need to develop Israeli technological independence, which will enable collaboration with key players in this field."

A professor of physics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Ozeri's research involves the development of tools for quantum computing based on trapped ions. He is the first, and thus far the only, researcher to build a small-scale quantum computer in Israel. Two years ago, he joined forces with the two other co-founders to form Quantum Art. David, also a physicist, previously headed the Israel National Quantum Initiative, a NIS 1.5 billion national program for quantum science and technology launched in 2019. Before that, he established a quantum sensing group at the Israel Aerospace Industries, and managed the quantum R&D portfolio in Israel's Ministry of Defense.

Quantum Art's third co-founder is Dr. Amit Ben Kish, a leading physicist who has spent most of his professional career at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, serving as CTO of one of its largest divisions and coordinating its quantum program. Winner of an Israel Defense Prize, Ben Kish's post-doc was with Dr. David J. Wineland, a Nobel Prize laureate who pioneered implementation of quantum computing in trapped ions.

Quantum Art is the result of the combination of these three brilliant minds. They located their startup in the science park adjacent to the Weizmann Institute which nurtured them all, and in the two years since its creation have been hard at work on developing all aspects of quantum computing technology based on trapped ions — hardware, software, and applications.

"We are racing ahead with the most advanced technology in this field — trapped ions," says David.

"It globally leads in performance levels." Quantum computing currently faces two major challenges, he explains. One is continually improving performance with minimal errors. The other is in increasing the number of qubits (or quantum bits) for more quantum computational power.

"We work with the best qubits and use advanced tools unavailable anywhere else," says Ben Kish. "Our unique architecture will enable us to reach large-scale quantum computing very rapidly, which not only solves significant problems but also has high commercial value."

How does quantum technology solve problems?

"In the security field, a quantum computer will help break encryption and in 'needle in the haystack' types of problem — that is, how to untangle reams of intelligence systems information, finding what's needed, or pinpointing weaknesses in cyber networks," says David. It also has critical application in other fields, as well. Healthcare is one example.

"Multinational pharma companies typically invest a decade and about a billion dollars in developing a new drug," he explains. "Development calculations are extremely complex, so drug development includes a large component of trial and error. Quantum computing will save development time, shorten the trial-and-error phase, and reach a finished product significantly faster and for a significantly smaller financial outlay.

"Beyond that is an important environmental consideration," he continues. "Every calculation performed consumes enormous energy in data centers, whether for climate control, optimizing the electricity grid, in the petrochemical field or in other applications. A quantum computer may consume significantly less power, and thereby impact global sustainability."

When will we enjoy the benefits of quantum computing?

"With the industry still in its infancy, we're looking at three to five years before we solve applied problems at scale," says David. "We're doing everything possible to ensure we're at the forefront when the technology breaks out and are among the industry leaders worldwide."

Making quantum technology accessible

Quantum Art's 30 employees are already operating its first quantum computing system in the lab. The company has raised funding from top Israeli venture capital funds and from a European partner. Under the Israel Innovation Authority, it leads a $30 million quantum computing consortium comprising Israeli industry and academia. "We're delighted that the Innovation Authority asked us to lead this very important group," says David. "It includes top companies like Classiq and Qedma, the Israel Aerospace Industries, research groups from almost all the country's universities, as well as algorithmic groups from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to the Soroka Medical Center, to whom we make quantum technology accessible and apply it to solving their problems. Cooperation between us all is excellent."

"Quantum computing is expected to make a massive contribution to Israel and to the world," says Ben Kish. "It will be a disruptive technology in drug development, finance, transportation and logistics, energy, defense, and more, giving its users significant advantages."

"Israel's quantum academic ecosystem is flourishing," says Prof. Ozeri. "Investors should know that we can generate economic value for them. We mustn't miss the opportunity to be world leaders in quantum computing, and we're keeping our foot firmly on the gas."

"Having established ourselves, our focus is now on continuing to improve performance and capabilities, develop applications, and make this new technology accessible to organizations, data centers and corporations," says David. "Quantum Art and Israel's quantum computing ecosystem are positioned to become global leaders in this disruptive field."

Partnered with Quantum Art