Event Summary
Quantum computing promises the potential to solve tremendously challenging real-world problems that are unaddressable by traditional, or classical, computing machines today, tomorrow, and maybe forever. However, while the principles of quantum mechanics are well understood, building reliable, large-scale quantum computing presents tremendous engineering challenges. Furthermore, discovering optimal quantum computing algorithms and developing effective quantum computing applications is also important if quantum supremacy--or quantum advantage, or quantum value--compared to classical computing is to be achieved. Still, while we're in the early days of quantum computing, there are exciting developments and tantalizing results almost weekly that provide reasons for great optimism (and, unfortunately, hype) that quantum computing systems from one or more vendors will achieve quantum value on useful problems in the very new future--and that more widespread quantum advantage may be achievable in years, not decades. So, the excitement is high and the time is now to learn about this transformational technology and understand how you can best evaluate it for your business, or contribute to its advancement and adoption.
Please join us as quantum computing professionals from several quantum computing companies and labs explain their companies' approaches, results, and directions, and which domains, verticals, and companies/organizations are aggressively pursuing quantum computing for new solutions. Then, mix and mingle with quantum computing experts and enthusiasts to learn more and make relationships that will help you and/or your company track this technology and be among the first to use it for innovation and competitive advantages.
Attendance Instructions
This will be an in-person event held at Capital Factory in the Captain America room, Floor 8.
Parking information can be found here.
Moderators
Scott Aaronson, Chair of Computer Science, Schlumberger
Scott Aaronson is Schlumberger Chair of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin, and founding director of its Quantum Information Center. He received his bachelor's from Cornell University and his PhD from UC Berkeley. Before coming to UT Austin, he spent nine years as a professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Aaronson's research in theoretical computer science has focused mainly on the capabilities and limits of quantum computers. His first book, Quantum Computing Since Democritus, was published in 2013 by Cambridge University Press. He received the National Science Foundation’s Alan T. Waterman Award, the United States PECASE Award, the Tomassoni-Chisesi Prize in Physics, and the ACM Prize in Computing, and is a Fellow of the ACM and the AAAS.
Kartik Dixit, D-Wave Systems
Kartik Dixit is a seasoned professional currently working within the professional services organization at D-Wave, a leading Canadian quantum computing company. At D-Wave, he contributes to delivering advanced quantum computing solutions that address complex problems across various industries. D-Wave is recognized as the world’s first company to commercialize quantum computers that harness quantum effects.
Before joining D-Wave, Kartik successfully built and divested two consulting firms, each with over 100 consultants, specializing in ERP and GIS solutions for the Oil & Gas sector, State & Local Governments, and mid-sized enterprises. He also served as Director of Operations at the Harris County Flood Control District, where he oversaw all support functions for the organization. Kartik holds a Master of Science in Computer Science. In his spare time, he channels his passion for sustainability and innovation into building energy-efficient custom homes in Houston's inner loop.
Jenn Clemente, Senior Communications Manager, D-Wave Quantum
As D-Wave Quantum’s senior communications manager, Jenn bring decades of expertise in executive communications, event communications, and customer storytelling with a focus on the business value of cloud, AI, and quantum computing for business. Her career is distinguished by a deep proficiency in leveraging AI for communications and marketing, honed through prior roles in content and communications at both VMware and IBM. Before transitioning to the corporate world, she was a foreign correspondent in Eastern Europe and the Balkans during the 1990s, tracking the impact of technology on a region steeped in transition — growing conversant in a variety of Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages. In her spare time, she is concerned with all facets of spirituality and is working on an M.A. in consciousness studies.
Thien-An Nguyen, CTO, ORCA Computing
As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at ORCA Computing, Thien-An Nguyen spearheads the company’s technological advancements and translates innovative ideas into tangible products. With a robust background encompassing both software and hardware development, Thien-An leverages a couple decades of experience to drive the development of cutting-edge technologies. His expertise lies in shepherding concepts from inception through the phases of prototyping and into full-fledged product realization. Prior to his role at ORCA Computing, Thien-An served as the Vice President of R&D Strategy at GXC, where he led the photonics division in delivering solutions across diverse sectors including AI accelerators, telecommunications, biomedical sensors, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and spectroscopy. His passion for fusing diverse research disciplines fuels his commitment to delivering impactful quantum-enhanced capabilities tailored to address multifaceted challenges across numerous customer industries.
William "whurley" Hurley, Founder and CEO, Strangeworks
whurley is founder and CEO of Strangeworks, an Eisenhower Fellow, a Senior Member of the IEEE, founder of the Quantum Computing Standards Workgroup at the IEEE, the first Ambassador to CERN and Society, and the co-author of "Quantum Computing For Babies” and the upcoming “Quantum Computing for Dummies” (available for pre-order now). Prior to starting Strangeworks he was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs [NYSE: GS]. He came to Goldman Sachs via the acquisition of his second startup, Honest Dollar. Prior to Honest Dollar whurley founded Chaotic Moon Studios which was acquired by Accenture [NYSE: ACN].
Philip Farah, VP Sales, Industries and Strategic Relationships, IonQ
As VP Sales, Industries and Strategic Partnerships at IonQ, Philip Farah is responsible for developing IonQ’s strategic partnerships with a focus on revenue growth and on strengthening IonQ’s position at the center of the Quantum Computing Ecosystem. Prior to joining IonQ, Philip ran Services and Engineering Sales, Global Accounts for Worldwide Technology, a leading systems integrator and IT infrastructure value-added reseller. Philip started his career in the US as a consultant with McKinsey & Co, and has held several leadership roles at Gartner (Senior Managing Partner, Financial Services), Cisco Systems (head of Global FSI Innovation strategy practice), and Capital One Financial (head of Recoveries Analytics).
Wil Oxford, Founder and CEO, Anametric
Wil is founder and CEO of Anametric, Inc. Based out of Austin TX, Anametric has been building Quantum Photonic chips for the cybersecurity market for the last 6 years and their chips are a key part of Leidos’ DARPA QuANET program effort. In addition to Leidos, Anametric also works closely with teams from Southern Methodist University (Dallas TX), the Air Force Research Lab (Rome NY) and the Army Research Lab (Adelphi MD).
Nash Palaniswamy, Chief Commercial Officer, Quantinuum
As Chief Commercial Officer at Quantinuum, Nash Palaniswamy is responsible for sales, marketing and delivering revenue. He was previously responsible for delivering revenue at Intel's High-Performance Computing and Graphics, and Datacentre and AI groups, and led the task-force that delivered the "heterogenous product roadmap", giving him a highly relevant interest in the enterprise application of hybrid quantum-classical computing. Throughout his career, Nash has held various leadership, strategic and engineering roles and today indulges his passion in artificial intelligence by advising and mentoring a number of small startups. Nash holds three patents and was honored for his contribution to the #1 system in the Top 500 list of the world's fastest supercomputers. He earned his B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Anna University (India) and holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of Cincinnati in Electrical and Computer Engineering (go Bearcats!).
Thierry Pellegrino, Global Head of Advanced Computing, AWS
Thierry Pellegrino is the Global head of Advanced Computing at AWS, in this role he oversees HPC, Domain specific ML, IOT and Quantum for the company. In his last role in the industry he was the Senior Vice President and President of Intelligent Platform Solutions at SGH (division which includes Penguin Solutions and Stratus). Prior to joining SGH, he spent over 20 years with Dell Technologies where he was the Head of the HPC and AI business. Thierry held multiple leadership roles in his career from engineering, strategy, M&A, and business leadership and has had the privilege to sit on the board of GRC and Penn State’s ICDS.
Sumit Puri, IBM Quantum Ambassador, IBM
Sumit Puri is an IBM Quantum Ambassador and Qiskit Advocate with a passion for quantum computing. He has actively contributed to the open-source Qiskit project, helping to advance the field of quantum programming and computation. As a recognized leader in the quantum community, Sumit is dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation in quantum technologies.