We're a fully fledged quantum internet company, says IONQ CEO Niccolo De Masi

Key Concepts:

Quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum internet, RSA cracking, quantum advantage, quantum supremacy, INQ, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services (AWS).

INQ: A Quantum Internet Company

INQ is positioned as the leading company ("800 pound gorilla") in both quantum computing and quantum networking, effectively operating as a quantum internet company. Their focus is on building powerful and affordable quantum computers and the necessary network infrastructure (nodes, repeaters) for secure communication in a post-quantum world. This security is crucial because quantum computers are expected to break RSA encryption in the near future.

Racing China for RSA Cracking

INQ views itself as a key player in a race against China to develop RSA cracking capabilities. The speaker implies that INQ is almost solely responsible for the Western world's efforts in this area. The ability to crack RSA has significant implications for global security and data protection. The speaker suggests that INQ's quantum networking equipment will be essential to maintain security and stability once RSA is compromised.

Quantum Advantage Demonstrations at GTC

INQ has participated in two Nvidia GTC (GPU Technology Conference) events this year, demonstrating quantum advantage on both occasions.

• First Demonstration (March): Achieved in partnership with Ansys and Synopsis.
• Second Demonstration (Paris): Announced a 20x speedup in collaboration with Nvidia and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This 20x speedup is presented as undeniable evidence of real quantum advantage.

Quantum Supremacy on the Horizon

The speaker asserts that the era of quantum supremacy is imminent, expecting it to arrive within a few quarters or single-digit years. This development is generating excitement due to the potential for quantum computers to revolutionize various fields of applied science.

Notable Quotes:

• "INQ is the biggest player in the business of quantum, right? We are the 800 pound gorilla of both quantum computing and quantum networking."
• "...we are racing China uh we believe almost single-handedly uh for the Western world, if you will, to be the RSA cracker."
• "...no one can really say that a 20x speed up is not, you know, real quantum advantage."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Quantum Computing: A type of computing that utilizes quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data.
• Quantum Networking: The use of quantum mechanics to enhance or enable networking technologies, such as secure communication and distributed quantum computing.
• Quantum Internet: A hypothetical future internet based on quantum communication protocols, offering enhanced security and capabilities.
• RSA: A widely used public-key cryptosystem for secure data transmission.
• Quantum Advantage: The point at which a quantum computer can solve a problem that no classical computer can solve in a reasonable amount of time.
• Quantum Supremacy: A more advanced stage where a quantum computer can perform a task that is practically impossible for any classical computer, regardless of time.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

INQ is positioning itself as a leader in the quantum computing and networking space, actively developing technologies to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the advent of quantum computers. The company is focused on both building powerful quantum computers and creating the secure quantum networks necessary to protect against the threats posed by quantum-enabled RSA cracking. The demonstrated quantum advantage with Nvidia and AWS highlights the progress being made towards quantum supremacy and its potential impact on various scientific and technological domains.