European cloud provider OVHcloud recently brought together the European quantum ecosystem in Croy, France, to launch the commissioning of the first quantum computer provided by a European cloud service provider.
At a time when European countries are increasingly expressing their desire to lead innovation, regain control of their future, assert sovereignty and uphold their values, OVHcloud says it understands the importance of investing in state-of-the-art solutions to support Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The event was attended by Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Marina Ferrari, Minister of Digital Affairs, and Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director General of DG CNECT of the European Commission, to celebrate the commissioning of the Quandela MosaiQ quantum computer at the OVHcloud facility, implying the use of existing local talent and technology, What the future of innovation in Europe looks like.
Paving the way for the future of cloud computing through quantum
Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, OVHcloud purchased a Quandela Quantum computer in March 2023, sending a clear message of support to the entire quantum ecosystem through France’s “Choose French Technology” program. The Group is committed to developing and promoting a strong ecosystem of players who share the same values of innovation, data protection and openness. The MosaiQ system is the first Quandela computer to ship from the factory. It will be delivered to the data center in late 2023 and has been set up and configured accordingly. Today, it is one of the few quantum computers currently available in the cloud.
Minister of Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retailleau said: “The French company OVHcloud reflects the strengthening of our digital sovereignty through the acquisition of the MosaiQ quantum computer developed by the French start-up Quandela. It reflects the vitality of our quantum research ecosystem. OVHcloud’s approach is very Excellent and at the forefront of technology and innovation, it will also benefit selected French higher education and research institutions from computing time.”
The MosaiQ system is the first of its kind to use light beams to run quantum applications thanks to the principles of photonics. OVHcloud is currently leading European organizations to invest in quantum technologies, which can be used in areas such as optimization, simulation and security. The group aims to use quantum computing capabilities for internal research and development work to advance new security technologies, test new concepts and further lay the foundation for industrial players to use future European technologies. Quantum computing promises to provide solutions to unsolvable problems in areas such as cryptography, simulation of new drugs or complex molecular systems, and optimization of transportation and logistics.
UK Digital Secretary Marina Ferrari said: “With the launch of this computer, quantum computing will become even more accessible: our businesses must seize MosaiQ to accelerate computing and realize its full potential. Benefits Thanks to the innovation and boldness of cloud providers such as OVHcloud and start-ups such as Quandela, our country will be able to consolidate its position as the European quantum technology leader in an increasingly competitive global ecosystem.”
Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO of Quandela, said: “We are very proud that the first quantum computer manufactured in our factory is now installed in one of the OVHcloud data centers and connected to their cloud. This was developed in the European quantum and research community An important step towards using our technology. It confirms our ambition and commitment to democratize quantum computing for industry, research and academia at large to build a strong European ecosystem.”
Allowing universities to access quantum computing via the cloud
OVHcloud is proud to announce the launch of an educational program offering funding to selected students from higher education institutions and universities, including members of the QuanTEdu-France alliance such as Telecom Paris. Therefore, after the application is reviewed, students will be able to access OVHcloud’s Quandela QPU for free through the cloud. Students will have 80 hours using the group’s unparalleled range of Quantum notebooks, including Alice & Bob, C12, Eviden, Pasqal and Quandela notebooks.
With this new education initiative, which was praised by German Federal Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the Group is actively contributing to the development of talent and skills at European level. It provides students with unique and ground-breaking technologies to help develop European software to address new use cases and new challenges.
Michel Paulin, CEO of OVHcloud, said: “We firmly believe that quantum is the technology of the future and we have shown unwavering support to ensure that Europe does not miss out on the next technological revolution. As the first quantum computer arrives in our data centers, We are delighted to make it accessible to students via the cloud, sending a clear signal of support to the wider ecosystem and playing our part in strengthening Europe’s strategic and technological autonomy.”
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