Israel Boosts Quantum Computing with Billions in New Government Program
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israel is launching a new government program to significantly boost its quantum computing sector, following a 1.25 billion shekel investment over the last five years. The industry already employs over 1,000 people and has attracted over $1 billion in private funding. The new initiative will focus on quantum software and error correction, with additional funds allocated for industrial quantum computers. This expansion aims to position Israel at the forefront of a technology expected to revolutionize various scientific and industrial fields.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel is launching a new government program to advance its quantum computing sector.
- Over the past five years, Israel invested 1.25 billion shekels in quantum R&D.
- The Israeli quantum industry employs over 1,000 people and has raised over $1 billion privately.
- The new program will focus on quantum software and error correction.
- An additional 1 billion shekels will be allocated by 2030 for industrial quantum computers.
- Israeli firm Classiq was recently acquired by Intel for $2.3 billion.
Israel is significantly expanding its investment in quantum computing, a field poised to revolutionize technology. Over the past five years, Israeli innovation authorities have invested approximately 1.25 billion shekels (about $340 million USD) in quantum research and development. A new government program, set to be presented for approval, will further bolster this sector. This initiative follows a period where the Innovation Authority alone allocated 500 million shekels to private companies, academic labs, and research consortia.
The Israeli quantum industry already employs over 1,000 people and has attracted more than $1 billion in private funding for prominent companies like Classiq, Quantum Machines, Quantum Art, Quantum Source, and Qedma. While the initial five years focused on academic research and qubit development, the new program will emphasize quantum software and error correction. Additionally, a national quantum computing tender worth 200 million shekels, co-funded by the state and entrepreneurs, is nearing its announcement, with an additional 1 billion shekels earmarked by 2030 for industrial quantum computers through the National AI Directorate.
Quantum computing leverages principles like superposition and entanglement, using "qubits" that can represent multiple states simultaneously, offering exponential computational power. This capability allows for solving complex problems in minutes, impacting drug discovery, materials science, information security, and optimization. Experts suggest the synergy between artificial intelligence and quantum computing could dramatically accelerate scientific and technological progress, potentially leading to superintelligence and the "singularity."
Israel boasts a growing quantum ecosystem with over 20 startups working across hardware, control systems, software, and security. Notably, Israeli tech firm Classiq was recently acquired by Intel for $2.3 billion. Quantum X Labs (QXL), co-founded by Professor Nir Shaviv and Yaki Baranes, has appointed former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen as president of its scientific council. QXL distinguishes itself by developing a "Full Spectrum" approach, integrating software, hardware, applications, and sensing.
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