Autonomous quantum technologies (AutoQT)

量子计算机是一种新型的强大计算机。它们基于被称为量子位的构建块。为了让量子计算机工作，我们需要能够以可预测的方式控制量子比特。控制一个或两个量子位通常是实验室几年工作的高潮，只能由训练有素的研究人员完成。量子位非常脆弱，需要持续细致的关注，就像马戏团演员不停地调整盘子旋转一样。随着每一个新的平板，保持它们旋转的计算能力就会增加。最终，有这么多的板在空中同时，现有的控制方法很快变得不堪重负。为了使量子计算在商业上有用，我们需要能够同时控制数百甚至数千个量子位。这是量子计算的最大瓶颈。我们将通过建立一个可以控制数百个量子比特的系统来解决这个挑战，这个系统可以在不同类型的量子计算机上使用。我们还将使用一种称为机器学习的人工智能来自动调整量子位，并最大限度地延长它们“在空中旋转”的时间。该项目汇集了英国领先的量子软件公司（Riverlane）、量子硬件公司（SeeQC UK、Oxford Ionics）和研究机构（国家物理实验室、牛津大学）。他们开发了不同类型的量子比特，我们可以在上面测试我们的控制系统。牛津大学（University of Oxford）的衍生公司Mind Foundry将开发能够自动保持量子位“旋转”的人工智能框架。爱丁堡大学将检测量子计算机的状态，并保证干预后的最佳性能。我们将共同努力，将量子软件和人工智能结合起来，构建一个强大而智能的量子计算机控制系统。我们的项目汇集了英国的学术和工业组织，以加强英国的量子产业，并帮助生产量子计算机，这将改变金融、药物发现和材料开发等多个行业的工作方式。

Quantum computers are a new type of powerful computer. They are based on building blocks called qubits. For quantum computers to work, we need to be able to control qubits in a predictable way. Controlling just one or two qubits is often the culmination of several years' work in a laboratory and can only be performed by highly trained researchers. Qubits are extremely fragile and require constant delicate attention, like the continuous tweaks of a circus performer keeping a plate spinning. With each new plate, the amount of computing power to keep them spinning increases. Eventually, with so many plates in the air at the same time, existing control methods quickly become overwhelmed.For quantum computing to become commercially useful, we need to be able to control hundreds or even thousands of qubits at the same time. This is the biggest bottleneck in quantum computing. We will solve this challenge by building a system that can control hundreds of qubits and that can be used across different types of quantum computers. We will also use a type of artificial intelligence called machine learning to automate the tuning of qubits and maximise the time they are 'spinning in the air'.This project brings together the UK's leading quantum software company (Riverlane), quantum hardware companies (SeeQC UK, Oxford Ionics) and research organisations (NPL, University of Oxford). They develop different types of qubits that we can test our control system on. Mind Foundry, a University of Oxford spin-out, will develop the artificial intelligence framework that can automatically keep the qubits "spinning". The University of Edinburgh will detect the state of the quantum computer and guarantee optimum performance after intervention.We will work together to combine quantum software and artificial intelligence to build a control system for quantum computers that is powerful and intelligent. Our project brings together UK-based academic and industrial organisations to strengthen the UK quantum industry and help produce quantum computers that will transform the way several industries, such as finance, drug discovery and materials development, work.