Competence development for quantum computing

Quantum computers have the potential to process information much faster and to master more complex problems than classical computers.

Quantum-based computers can perform calculations significantly faster than conventional ones. This is because they use quantum mechanically entangled elementary particles like electrons or protons as an information unit: Qubits.

Qubits can not only assume the values 0 or 1 - like classical bits - but also all values in between at the same time. This allows complex tasks to be processed simultaneously instead of linearly. In the future, quantum computers will be able to solve in seconds the problems that previously took computers years.

In addition to speed, quantum computers have the potential to address problems for which there were previously no solutions. Especially simulations and the solution of optimization problems are promising application fields. Simulations can be used, for example, to predict the properties of molecules and materials. Optimization problems arise in logistics, for instance, when it comes to determining the optimal flow of traffic in order to relieve road congestion.

Furthermore, in the field of IT security for example, it has already been proven that quantum computers can break the classical encryption algorithms very quickly and thus new methods that are not based on purely computationally difficult mathematical problems must be developed. It is particularly important here that in certain areas, such as secure infrastructure, secure communications should neither be decrypted today nor in the future.

“What fascinates me about quantum computing are the many undiscovered potentials and possibilities for application in industry and in our everyday lives.”, says Dr. Nikolay Tcholtchev, research associate and, among other things, project manager in the area of quality engineering for quantum computing at the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems FOKUS. There, he oversees the areas of quantum computing and quantum programming, quality assurance for quantum computing, quantum DevOps, benchmarking, and embedding quantum algorithms into existing processes and interfaces.

Use our first, free online course “Quantum computing – function and use cases”. In this self-study course, you will learn the basics and functionalities of quantum computing in the first module. The special features of quantum systems are explained as well as the technological benefits of this knowledge.

Building on this, the second module offers a selection of concrete use cases in which this technology is expected to offer previously undreamed-of possibilities and improvements. In addition to an understanding of the technical background, a reference to practice is thus created. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the topic of quantum computing in relation to possible areas of application.

Allow approximately 20 minutes for each of the two self-study modules.

The target groups are executives, engineers, technology pioneers and anyone who would like to immerse themselves in the topic of quantum computing.

Fraunhofer AISEC has developed "Charlie and the Quantum Factory", a serious game, as part of the Cybersecurity Learning Lab. In the role of researcher Charlie, you will get to know the basic concepts and functionality of quantum computers and also get to know cats and robots that you will encounter on your way through the game.The playing time is about 30 minutes.

You can start playing right away, as no installation is necessary.

Enjoy playing! 

To the game!

In addition to serious games, the Cybersecurity Learning Lab also offers tailor-made training courses and individual training concepts in various formats - from training on basics to further education for experts.

Simply contact us with your wishes!

Munich Quantum Valley connects more than 40 university institutions, research institutes and companies with the goal of establishing a center for quantum technologies in Bavaria.

The scientists of Munich Quantum Valley also share their knowledge in the continuing education program under the umbrella of the Fraunhofer Academy.

Click here for the press release

Do you know how quantum computing will change your business? Learn more about our continuing education program in this video.

The goal of Fraunhofer is to successfully shape a crucial future technology with quantum computing. An important prerequisite for this is the early development of expertise in Germany. Only then can Germany benefit from the added value of this new technology.

In the three areas of technology, innovation and business, it provides learning paths tailored to the target group:

• Quantum Technology Expert
  (Target group: Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Researchers)
• Quantum Innovation Expert
  (Target group: technology scouts, founders and entrepreneurs from start-ups)-        
  
•  Quantum Business Professional
  (Target group: C-level representatives)

"Anyone who thinks he understands quantum theory has not understood it" this saying, attributed to Richard Feynman, is still true today. Nevertheless, scientists are working every day to get closer to unraveling this mystery. This is also the case for Barbora Hrdá, research associate and project manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied and Integrated Security AISEC in Garching near Munich. The focus of her work at the Bavarian Competence Center Quantum Security and Data Science BayQS includes security through, with and despite quantum computing. Her research focuses on methods that ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data processing on quantum computers QC and QC platforms.

The most important questions to which the scientists want to find answers are: What must problems be like in order to solve them efficiently with quantum computers? How must the algorithms for this be structured? And how do you formulate computational methods on these computers so that they can develop their potential?

This is done with the first quantum computer in Europe, the IBM Q System One, which has been operated by IBM at the Ehningen (Baden-Württemberg) site since January 2021 and to which the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has exclusive access.

To promote application-oriented research, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has founded the national competence network Quantum Computing, based on regional competence centers, each with its own research focus. It is the first point of contact for anyone who wants to conduct research on and with quantum computing.

"When I studied "operations research" in the mid-80s, I never thought I would use linear algebra for optimization as a computer scientist for quantum computing." Ingolf Wittmann was significantly involved in the cooperation project between IBM and Fraunhofer with the IBM Quantum System as a collaborator on both sides. For Fraunhofer IAF he leads training initiative for the Baden-Württemberg funding project and the integration of hybrid approaches between the HPC system in Freiburg and the quantum computers in Ehningen.

In addition, he is the chairman of the Bitkom working group HPC and Quantum Computing and advises German ministries and the European Commission on the topics of HPC and quantum computing.

"What fascinates me about quantum computing is the novel computational model and its potential applications in research and industry," says Daniel Müssig, a research associate and project manager at the Applied Systems Technology AST division of the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB at the Görlitz site.