insider brief
- Xanadu and Lockheed Martin have launched a joint research initiative focused on advancing the theory and applications of quantum machine learning.
- This collaboration will study quantum generative models and explore how quantum computers can use Fourier-based operations that are inaccessible to classical machine learning methods.
- The research aims to investigate potential applications in fields such as defence, finance and pharmaceuticals.
PRESS RELEASE — Xanadu, a global leader in quantum computing software and quantum photonic hardware, today announced a new research initiative with Lockheed Martin, a global defense and technology company, to advance the fundamental theory and new applications of quantum machine learning (QML).
The research will focus on generative models, which are machine learning techniques that learn from data to create new and realistic representations. Generative models power many of today’s AI advances, such as large-scale language models, but these are data-intensive and energy-intensive techniques that are challenging in data-starved applications. This new collaboration will explore how quantum computers can exploit Fourier-based operations that are fundamentally inaccessible to classical machine learning methods, opening up new application possibilities for the design of complex experiments in industries such as defense, finance, and pharmaceuticals.
“This research aims to rethink the fundamentals of how quantum computers can learn,” said Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu. “By rethinking core quantum primitives, we hope to discover entirely new ways to represent and process data. Lockheed Martin brings deep expertise that makes us an ideal teammate for this exploration. We are excited to explore these ideas together and contribute to the evolving theory of quantum machine learning.”
“At Lockheed Martin, we are actively researching quantum technologies that have the potential to transform computing and sensing,” said Dani Cougar, head of quantum technology at Lockheed Martin. “This collaboration with Xanadu pushes the frontiers of QML and deepens our understanding of how future quantum systems can support national security and advanced technology development.”
This collaboration aims to build on Xanadu’s growing portfolio of quantum computing research that aims to enable practical quantum applications across the industry. This reflects the commitment of both Xanadu and Lockheed Martin to advance the fundamental science behind quantum computing and strengthen its long-term impact. By addressing unanswered questions at the intersection of quantum theory and machine learning, Xanadu and Lockheed Martin aim to lay the foundation for future breakthroughs in both research and real-world applications.
