This workshop will bring together all trainees, faculty, and industry experts on an annual basis, with the primary objective of fostering a multi-level exchange of information (e.g. quantum software and hardware experts, academic and industry participants), and creating a common vision for the Canadian quantum computing (QC) landscape over the next 3 to 5 years.

A second objective will be to initiate new collaborations with potential end users (e.g. industry experts looking for solutions) for eventual startup companies initiated by graduate students partaking in the CREATE Quantum Computing program. The workshop will include:

1. course-style introductory lectures and hands-on tutorials primarily designed to bring students up to speed;
2. professor and company-led research presentations and student posters;
3. parallel-run quantum hardware and software/applications group discussion, brainstorming and roadmapping;
4. a networking event;
5. a trainee/researcher “hackathon” on specific applications identified during the roadmapping activity. The focus of the roadmapping activities will be to identify:
   • current and forecasted benchmarks for molecular QC calculations;
   • other applications that offer a quantum advantage;
   • current and forecasted hardware technology types, including number of qubits, qubit gate fidelity, maximum gate depth and coherence time, etc.; and
   • published forecasts from international bodies such as the European quantum technologies roadmap, for analysis and debate. A roadmapping document outlining the vision for QC in Canada – with a focus on what could be commercialized one day – will be developed in real-time during the event using collaborative tools such as Google Docs and Slack.

The first component will be a series of virtual seminars on the topics of Quantum Hardware, Quantum Algorithms, and Quantum Applications. The seminars will take place via Zoom will consist of three 20-25 minute talks, followed by Q&A. Dates and times for these talks are as follows:

Tuesday, April 28th 10 a.m. to 12 p.m (PT) - Quantum Hardware – Register here​
Thursday, May 21st 10 a.m. to 12 p.m (PT) - Quantum Algorithms - Register here
Tuesday, June 9th 10 a.m. to 12 p.m (PT) - Quantum Applications - Register here

Speakers so far include Robert Raussendorf (UBC), Ulrike Stege (UVic), Nathan Killoran (Xanadau), Roman Krems (UBC), and Gabriel Poulin-Lamarre (D-Wave), with a few more to be confirmed. Reminders of these dates will be sent nearer the time, and please do forward these events to anyone who would be interested in attending (room capacity is no longer an issue!).

Please stay tuned for details on the roadmapping exercise, hackathon, and student posters/presentations.