Chile must step out of its role as a spectator of quantum technologies and make greater efforts to venture more decisively into their development, as other countries have done, says Dr. Juan Carlos Retamal, academic and researcher at the Department of Physics of Universidad de Santiago de Chile, whose work has focused on Quantum Computing and Information.
From this perspective, he considers it key to communicate this technological development to generations of young students who have opportunities to advance professionally in this field, through schools, courses or meetings promoted by academia, such as the one recently held with the support of the USACH Faculty of Sciences and the CEDENNA Center.
For three days, the “QuSantiago” Summer School brought together students and academics from different universities and programs, addressing topics such as the fundamental concepts of quantum computing and the current platforms enabling its experimental realization, as well as practical sessions on programming quantum computers in the cloud. And, of course, the latest advances in quantum computing, both in software and hardware, were analyzed.
The event featured talks via Zoom by professors Juan José García-Ripoll of CSIC in Spain and Enrique Solano, CEO of Kipu Quantum, a leading German company in quantum computing software development, as well as in-person talks by our university’s academics Drs. Juan Carlos Retamal, Guillermo Romero and Francisco Albarrán.
Dr. Guillermo Romero explains that “what we have tried to communicate to people is how to explore quantum computing topics: that is why it was important for attendees to have some training in quantum mechanics, since quantum computing is an application of this theory.”
Dr. Francisco Albarrán, who recently joined our University’s Department of Physics, has played an important role in organizing QuSantiago. “Quantum computing raises many expectations and it is important to communicate what we can and cannot do with the quantum devices that exist today,” he notes.
“Until now we have been spectators of all the global interest in developing quantum technologies. It is important that we start developing initiatives like this one, where we involve young people so they can immerse themselves in these technologies that will be important for future development,” Dr. Retamal concludes.
