Canadian scientists pioneer made-in-Canada quantum-powered AI solution to solve worldwide challenge

Newswise — WATERLOO, ON and VANCOUVER, BC – In a landmark achievement for Canadian science, a team of scientists led by TRIUMF and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics have unveiled transformative research that – for the first time – merges quantum computing techniques with advanced AI to model complex simulations in a fast, accurate and energy-efficient way.

“This is a uniquely Canadian success story,” said Wojciech Fedorko, Deputy Department Head, Scientific Computing at TRIUMF. “Uniting the expertise from our country’s research institutions and industry leaders has not only advanced our ability to carry out fundamental research, but also demonstrated Canada’s ability to lead the world in quantum and AI innovation.”

Traditional simulations of particle collisions are already both time-consuming and costly, often running on massive supercomputers for weeks or months. By leveraging quantum processes and technology made possible by California-based D-Wave Quantum Inc., the researchers were able to create a new “quantum-assisted” generative model capable of running simulations and open new opportunities to cost-effectively analyze rapidly growing data sets.

The research, published today in npj Quantum Information, is part of a worldwide effort to create the tools needed to accommodate upgrades to CERN’s particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and alleviate a computational bottleneck that would impact researchers all over the world.

“Our method shows that quantum and AI technologies developed here in Canada can solve real-world scientific bottlenecks,” said Javier Toledo-Marín, joint appointee at TRIUMF and Perimeter Institute. “By combining deep learning with quantum technology, we are forging a new path for both theoretical experimentation and technological application.”

In addition to TRIUMF and Perimeter, contributions to the published research came from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the University of British Columbia and the University of Virginia, showcasing not only the wealth of research talent and scientific ingenuity across the country, but also the international collaboration that places Canada at the forefront of worldwide scientific innovation.

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For more information:

For Perimeter:

Mark Healy

[email protected]

For TRIUMF:

Stuart Shepherd

[email protected]

About Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics 

Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics, fostering breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. For 25 years, Perimeter’s innovative approach has empowered scientists worldwide to explore emerging scientific fields, giving researchers the freedom they need to question assumptions and blaze new trails. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Founded by visionary Mike Lazaridis in 1999 and located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement. 

About TRIUMF

Established in 1968 in Vancouver, TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre. The lab is a hub for discovery and innovation inspired by a half-century of ingenuity in answering nature’s most challenging questions. From the hunt for the smallest particles in our universe to research that advances the next generation of batteries or develops isotopes to diagnose and treat disease, TRIUMF drives more than scientific discovery. Powered by its complement of top talent and advanced accelerator infrastructure, TRIUMF is pushing the frontiers in isotope science and innovation, as well as technologies to address fundamental and applied problems in particle and nuclear physics, and the materials and life sciences.