Dhahran: Saudi Aramco, one of the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, in partnership with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, have achieved a major milestone in the Middle East's technology landscape through the successful use of the first quantum computer in the Kingdom, and the region's first quantum computer dedicated to industrial applications.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the use of Pasqal's neutral-atom quantum computer at Aramco's data center in Dhahran marks a pivotal step toward strengthening regional expertise and accelerating the development of quantum applications in the energy, materials, and industrial sectors in the Kingdom and across the Middle East.
This progress aligns with Aramco's strategy to leverage advanced digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency, accelerate innovation, and create long-term value. It also reflects Pasqal's global mission to deliver practical, ready-to-deploy quantum solutions to strategic sectors worldwide.
On this occasion, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation Ahmad Al-Khowaiter said that Aramco is a technology pioneer that continues to innovate through the development and application of advanced digital solutions with tangible benefits. He noted that the company deploys artificial intelligence and other technologies at scale to strengthen its operations, maximize efficiency, and unlock added value, making the partnership with Pasqal a natural progression that will help capture the promising opportunities offered by this new domain of computing.
Pasqal CEO Loc Henriet described the partnership with Aramco as a historic achievement. He stated that the use of the company's most powerful quantum computer to date represents a major milestone and a defining moment in shaping the future of quantum technologies in the Middle East. He added that Pasqal continues to expand by providing practical quantum computing capabilities that serve the industrial sector.
The release also highlighted that Wa'ed Ventures, part of Aramco's venture capital program, initially invested in Pasqal in January 2023, becoming one of the company's earliest strategic investors. Since then, Wa'ed Ventures has supported Pasqal's efforts to localize its technologies and operations in the Kingdom, enabling the company to build a strong presence and contribute to the development of a regional quantum-technology ecosystem.
Pasqal's system installed at Aramco's data center can control 200 qubits arranged in programmable two-dimensional arrays, providing a suitable platform for exploring advanced quantum algorithms and real-world industrial use cases.
As part of the partnership, Pasqal will also offer training programs and joint research opportunities for Saudi engineers and scientists, thereby strengthening the Kingdom's quantum ecosystem and supporting the development of highly skilled technical talent.