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SUMMARY:PPD-NQCC seminar: What Should Quantum Supercomputers Compute? From
  Quantum-Native Algorithms to Scientific Discovery—and Back
DTSTART:20260923T103000Z
DTEND:20260923T113000Z
DTSTAMP:20260918T102100Z
UID:indico-event-2001@indico.stfc.ac.uk
CONTACT:brij.jashal@stfc.ac.uk
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Harry Buhrman (Quantinuum)\n\nAbstract: \n\n\n\n\n\
 n\nWhich problems can quantum computers solve faster than classical comput
 ers\, and where can this advantage lead to useful scientific discoveries? 
 Worst-case complexity provides essential guidance\, but practical progress
  also requires identifying specific instances and physical regimes where q
 uantum algorithms succeed and classical methods struggle.\nIn this talk\, 
 I will discuss quantum heuristics and the search for “queasy instances
 ”: problems that are quantum-easy but classically hard. I will explore t
 wo complementary approaches. A bottom-up approach starts with a distinct q
 uantum capability\, validates it on hardware\, and seeks useful applicatio
 ns. A top-down approach starts with a scientific question and develops the
  quantum algorithms and computational workflow needed to address it.\nThre
 e examples illustrate the interplay between these approaches: complement s
 ampling\, with provable quantum advantages in sample complexity\; quantum 
 topological data analysis\, using Laplacian moments to extract structural 
 features for machine learning and fraud detection\; and simulations of int
 eracting-electron dynamics aimed at understanding light-induced supercondu
 ctivity. Drawing on theoretical results\, hardware experiments\, and class
 ical benchmarks\, I will distinguish demonstrated capabilities from opport
 unities for future advantage. The central goal is to connect advances in q
 uantum hardware to scientific discovery\, building a foundation for practi
 cal and industrial applications.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nAbout Speaker:\n\nHarry 
 Buhrman is Chief Scientist for Quantum Algorithms & Innovation at Quantinu
 um and Professor of Algorithms\, Complexity Theory\, and Quantum Computing
  at the University of Amsterdam. He is the founding director of QuSoft\, t
 he Dutch research centre for quantum software\, which he co-founded in 201
 5\, and was elected to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences 
 in 2020.\n\n\nA pioneer of quantum computing research\, Buhrman establishe
 d the first quantum computing group in the Netherlands in the late 1990s\,
  among the earliest worldwide to focus on quantum information processing. 
 His work has made foundational contributions to quantum algorithms\, commu
 nication complexity\, and computational complexity theory. He helped demon
 strate that quantum resources can provide exponential advantages in commun
 ication tasks and co-developed key methods for understanding both the powe
 r and limitations of quantum computers.\n\n\nHe has received a prestigious
  Vici grant and serves on several international scientific advisory boards
 .\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\nhttps://indico.stfc.ac.uk/event/2001/
LOCATION:R61 CR03 (RAL)
URL:https://indico.stfc.ac.uk/event/2001/
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