——Interview with Long Guilu, Vice Dean of Research of Beijing Institute of Quantum Information Science and Professor of Tsinghua University
■China Economic Times reporter Liu Hui
Since its launch in January 2024, the quantum computer "Origin Wukong" has attracted more than 4.77 million visits from around the world and completed more than 168,000 computing tasks. The world's first quantum secure communication trunk line "Beijing-Shanghai trunk line", the world's first quantum science experimental satellite "Micius", and China's first quantum chip production line...... Quantum-related achievements continue to enter the public eye, and some commentators say that since quantum theory was proposed and detonated the first quantum revolution in 1900, the second quantum revolution has arrived.
The Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year and the 2024 Government Work Report both proposed to open up new tracks for future industries such as quantum technology and life sciences. According to a report by the Prospective Industry Research Institute, the scale of global quantum information investment will reach US$38.6 billion in 2023, of which China's total investment will reach US$15 billion. How to accelerate the development of the quantum industry in the future? A reporter from the China Economic Times interviewed Long Guilu, vice president of scientific research at the Beijing Institute of Quantum Information Science and professor at Tsinghua University.
01
Quantum technology will bring capabilities beyond traditional information technology
China Economic Times: We know that quantum is a physical concept, the smallest and indivisible unit of energy. How do you describe the quantum industry in layman's language?
Long Guilu: The quantum industry is a series of emerging industries based on quantum technology. Quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum measurement, will bring capabilities beyond traditional information technology.
Quantum computing has both hardware and software aspects, just like classical computing. In layman's terms, a quantum computer is a new type of super-powerful computer that can solve some complex problems that traditional computers can't solve. For example, quantum computing has played a huge role in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, finance, and code decipherment. In the field of biomedicine, through quantum computing, scientists can simulate small molecules, thereby accelerating the drug development process. With quantum computers, it is possible to decipher asymmetric ciphers such as RSA, which are widely used today. Due to the powerful computing power of quantum computing, its combination with artificial intelligence will greatly accelerate the speed of artificial intelligence and improve its capabilities.
Quantum communication is mainly a technology that uses the quantum state of light as a carrier to safely transmit classical information and quantum state. Classical encryption technology ensures information security by transforming it so that people can't understand it, while quantum communication ensures security by perceiving eavesdropping ability so that people can't hear it. Because eavesdroppers cannot obtain any data, even with the powerful computing power of a quantum computer, they cannot obtain information, so it has the high security of information theory. There are two main forms of quantum communication: quantum key distribution and quantum direct communication. Quantum key distribution uses quantum states to negotiate keys and then transmit information using classical communication, which can take full advantage of the high bandwidth of modern communication to transmit information securely and at high speed. Another quantum communication technology is quantum direct communication, which directly transmits information in a quantum state, with a relatively narrow bandwidth, but can use the hidden characteristics of quantum state transmission to achieve safe and secret communication. These technologies make our communications more secure and prevent information from being stolen or tampered with. Using the characteristics of quantum, we can also achieve some things that cannot be done by traditional communication methods, such as quantum teleportation.
Quantum measurement is the use of quantum properties for more accurate measurements, such as magnetometers, gyroscopes, quantum clocks, etc. Quantum measurements can all play an important role in positioning, environmental monitoring, geological exploration, and other fields, helping us obtain more accurate data.
02
Promote the practical application of quantum computing technology in finance and other fields
China Economic Times: What companies are currently involved in the field of quantum industry in mainland China?
Long Guilu: At present, there are companies that specialize in the development and production of quantum computers, companies that provide quantum communication services, and companies that use quantum measurement technology for various applications. These industries have not only promoted scientific and technological innovation, but also brought new impetus to the mainland's social and economic development. The quantum industry is an emerging field full of potential and opportunities, and it is constantly changing the traditional way of production and work.
A number of outstanding enterprises have emerged in the field of quantum industry in mainland China, and they have made remarkable progress in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum measurement and quantum application according to different technical routes.
Taking quantum computing as an example, with the emergence of quantum computing start-ups in various technical routes and the continuous participation of enterprises in application industries, the upstream, midstream and downstream links of the quantum computing industry ecology have begun to take shape. For example, many quantum enterprises such as Origin Quantum, Bose Quantum, Huayi Quantum, Guodun Quantum, Turing Quantum, etc., constitute the diversified development pattern of the quantum computing industry in the mainland. They have not only made remarkable progress in technology research and development, but also actively promoted commercial applications, cooperating with outstanding companies in various industries to promote the practical application of quantum computing technology in finance, artificial intelligence, medicine and other fields, laying a solid foundation for the rapid development of the quantum industry in the mainland.
03
Strengthening industry-university-research cooperation is an important way to promote the development of the quantum industry
China Economic Times: Some analysts say that after artificial intelligence, the quantum industry may become the next stop in the global technology competition. What suggestions do you have for the mainland to promote the development of the quantum industry?
Long Guilu: First of all, we need to continue to increase investment in quantum technology research and development, especially in core areas such as superconducting quantum computing and optical quantum computing. These technical routes represent the development direction of quantum computing, and they are also the commanding heights of future quantum industry competition. Through the establishment of special funds and the guidance of social capital investment, we will attract more outstanding talents and enterprises to devote themselves to the research and development of quantum technology and promote the rapid development of the quantum industry.
Secondly, strengthening industry-university-research cooperation is an important way to promote the development of the quantum industry. It is necessary to promote in-depth cooperation between universities, research institutes and enterprises and establish a close industrial chain. Universities and research institutes can provide basic research and talent support, while enterprises can leverage their advantages in application and marketing to jointly promote the industrialization of quantum technology. At the same time, we also need to strengthen the standardization and normalization of the quantum industry. By formulating industry standards and strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights, we will promote the healthy development of the quantum industry and avoid the emergence of industry chaos.
Thirdly, for the development of the quantum industry, we should also pay attention to cultivating the quantum industry ecology. This includes attracting more start-ups to join and cultivating a group of quantum technology leaders, while also strengthening collaborative development with other related industries, such as information technology and intelligent manufacturing. In this way, we can jointly create an industrial ecosystem that is benign and mutually supportive.
It is necessary to adopt different forms of application development according to different quantum technologies. Some are developed in specialized forms, such as the hardware technology of quantum computers, and some are developed in enhanced forms, such as the form of quantitative hyperconvergence that can be used in the combination of quantum computers and supercomputers. In some application scenarios, quantum communication can be used to build a network, and some can be combined with quantum communication and classical communication. According to different stages of development, we should adopt appropriate development methods and adjust them according to the changes in the situation.
Finally, promoting the development of the quantum industry requires the joint efforts and support of the whole society. We need to strengthen the dissemination of science popularization, improve the public's awareness and acceptance of quantum technology, and create a good social atmosphere for the development of the quantum industry.
To promote the development of the quantum industry in the mainland, we can take measures such as increasing R&D investment, strengthening industry-university-research cooperation, strengthening standardization and standardization construction, cultivating quantum industry ecology and strengthening science popularization, and promote the transformation and upgrading of related industries in the mainland through the way of "quantum +", improve the efficiency and competitiveness of traditional industries, cultivate new economic growth points, and give birth to new quality productivity, so as to make greater contributions to the mainland's scientific and technological innovation and economic development.
Chief Producer丨Wang Hui and Che Haigang
Producer丨Li Piguang, Wang Yu, Liu Weimin
Editor-in-Chief丨Mao Jinghui Editor丨Chen Shuhan