With the international symposium ‘ML4QT—Machine Learning to Advance Quantum Technologies’, Heilbronn sent a strong signal in the future field of quantum AI at the beginning of July. Leading minds from science and industry—including from the renowned University of Waterloo (Canada), German research and the European quantum economy—discussed current advances at the interface of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing at experimenta.

A forecast by Gartner, a market analyst, predicts that 80 percent of all software developers will require further training by 2027 if they want to keep pace with developments in artificial intelligence. AI is not the only technology that poses a challenge, though: Quantum computing (QC) could raise artificial intelligence to a whole new level. What potential does QC hold for AI? Is it worth coming to grips with QC now, or is it still too much of a distant future? To start to answer these questions, we can take a look at automated machine learning.

Quantum computing (QC) is considered a key technology of the future at both national and EU level. The immense potential of this technology could have a disruptive impact on the economy and thus on the sovereignty of Germany and the EU.
This report highlights aspects of strengthening the German quantum computing ecosystem. The focus is on digital infrastructure. The report summarises the results of the ‘QC Next’ innovation project on the topic of ‘quantum computing software stack’.

Fraunhofer IAO, Fraunhofer IPA and the IAT of the University of Stuttgart are pooling their research expertise to set up the cross-institute Fraunhofer Lab “flaQship.” The lab focuses on applied quantum computing in Stuttgart and Heilbronn.

As part of the collaborative project AutoQML, the Fraunhofer Institutes IAO and IPA, together with seven industry partners, have developed an open-source application of the same name. AutoQML connects quantum computing with machine learning, enabling the use of quantum machine learning algorithms without requiring deep technical expertise.

As part of a research project, Fraunhofer IAO and Bundesdruckerei GmbH have made significant progress in the field of quantum machine learning (QML). Together, they have developed an innovative model for anomaly and fraud detection in credit card transactions based on quantum kernel methods.

Fraunhofer IAO and Heilbronn University (HHN) collaborated this semester on a course on quantum computing (QC). Students can learn how this technology could shape the future of computer science and other disciplines from experts at the institute and Heilbronn University in a practical setting. The collaboration will continue with a QC Winter School and a lecture series.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will expand its activities in Heilbronn, which were initiated and driven forward by Fraunhofer IAO, significantly with funding from the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. From 2025, a total of eight research and innovation centers will address research topics ranging from cybersecurity to quantum AI. This will provide an important impetus for innovation in Germany and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in these fields.

What are the current potentials and future needs of quantum computing technology? This question is explored in a study by Fraunhofer IAO, which was funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. It identifies the most important areas for action from the perspective of international experts and highlights key starting points for strengthening the ecosystem. The study serves as the basis for a roadmapping process aimed at tapping the potential of quantum computing for the Heilbronn-Franken region.