The Israel Innovation Authority announced on Sunday the formation of the largest consortium in its history, with the aim of developing Israel’s quantum computing technologies with a three-year budget of NIS 115 million (approximately $32.5 million).
The consortium will promote two quantum processor technologies – trapped ions and superconductors – which are among the most advanced and mature technologies today, alongside deep layers of quantum software. The key developments that will be prioritized include quantum processors, system-building blocks, coherent control tools, noise characterization and reduction software, and a fully automated software environment from the application level to physical implementation.
The consortium’s products will include systemic technology demonstrations of quantum computing systems at the scale of dozens of Qubits which will help advance Israeli industries to the frontline of the scientific and technological advancements. As the technology matures, the Innovation Authority plans to incentivize making the technology accessible to the R&D industry in Israel with the help of the quantum computer laboratory that is currently being established.
Five Israeli companies are members of the consortium: IAI Group’s Elta Systems division, Quantum Art, Classiq, Qedma, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. In addition, technological development will be supported by leading academic entities in Israel: professors Nadav Katz, Alex Retzker, and Raam Uzdin of Hebrew University; professor Roee Ozeri of the Weizmann Institute; professor Michael Stern of Bar-Ilan University; professors Steven Frankel and Tal Mor of the Technion; and a research group led by Dr. Ohad Birk of Soroka Hospital.
“The quantum computer will fundamentally change the world we live in, in a similar scale and perhaps with greater intensity than the changes that arose from the introduction of computers into our daily lives over the past fifty years,” said Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Innovation Authority. “Quantum computers are of the utmost importance to the State of Israel’s resilience and the ability of the Israeli economy to continue its growth.”
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