Shanghai's Joint Quantum AI Initiative was presented at the Roundtable Conference at the 18th Pujun Innovation Forum held in Shanghai on September 21, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Focused on AI Quantum and Quantum Intelligence, the forum brought in experts from home and abroad to discuss scientific challenges and emerging opportunities in the field of quantum artificial intelligence, and on Sunday explored the future industrial uses of Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai.
Participants from countries including China, the US, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Singapore engaged in academic presentations and roundtable conferences at the event that was part of the 18th Pujun Innovation Forum. Their main topics included the intersection of AI and atomic quantum computing, quantum information science, quantum circuit optimization, and quantum algorithm application.
The development of AI is rapidly advancing, but it faces increasingly limited by classical computational power constraints. However, experts say quantum computing shows great potential to overcome these limitations. Researchers are actively investigating ways to leverage quantum computing to accelerate machine learning training, reduce computational costs, and increase model expression.
Forum scientists expressed optimism that the ongoing advances in quantum hardware and algorithms would hope that quantum AI will revolutionize areas such as drug discovery and financial modeling.
Shanghai's joint quantum AI initiative was announced at the forum. The initiative consists of 12 research institutes, including Fudan University, Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai Research Center for Quantum Sciences and Shanghai Institute of Artificial Intelligence, with several major quantum technology companies. Over the next five years, Li Xiaopeng, professor of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Fudan, said that the initiative will focus on interdisciplinary research in quantum AI while fostering high-level talent in the field, dividing basic theories, key technologies and key applications.
Additionally, the forum has seen the release of Shanghai's top 10 quantum computing application scenarios, spanning sectors from electricity to finance, logistics, new energy and biomedical. These scenarios not only address practical application needs, but also highlight the potential of quantum technologies to solve complex problems and drive future industrial transformation, experts said.
Andrew Qi Yao, a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and dean of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tulinua University, said China is at the forefront of the world applying AI in fields such as robotics and materials science.
“The advancements in the various electronics industries are undoubtedly attributed to quantum technology. In this era of fast-paced technological development, there must be foresight and vision to take on initiatives that will continue to lead even after 10 years,” he said.
