RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has deployed the Middle East’s first quantum computer dedicated to industrial applications, marking a significant advancement in the region’s ambitions to build capabilities in next-generation computing.

The system — developed by Pasqal and located at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran — is expected to support the development of quantum technologies across the energy, materials and industrial sectors.

The move brings neutral-atom quantum computing to the Kingdom’s technology landscape as part of a broader effort to scale advanced digital tools and strengthen national expertise.

“We are deploying AI and other technologies at scale to further enhance our operations, maximize efficiency and unlock value across our business,” said Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco’s executive vice president of technology and innovation. “Our partnership with Pasqal is a natural progression and we are thrilled to pioneer next-generation quantum capabilities, harnessing significant opportunities presented by this new frontier in computing.”

Pasqal, which supplied and installed the system, described the launch as its most powerful deployment to date. The machine can control two hundred qubits arranged in programmable two-dimensional arrays, providing a platform to explore advanced quantum algorithms and test industrial use cases. 

“This is a historic milestone with Aramco,” said Loic Henriet, Pasqal’s CEO. “The deployment of our most powerful quantum computer yet is a piece of history and a landmark for the Middle East’s quantum future.”

Support for the initiative includes Wa’ed Ventures, part of Aramco’s venture capital program, which became one of Pasqal’s early strategic investors in January 2023. The fund has since backed efforts to localize the company’s technologies and operations in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the development of a regional quantum ecosystem.

As part of the partnership, Pasqal will provide training and joint research opportunities for Saudi engineers and scientists, aiming to build local talent and accelerate the Kingdom’s capabilities in high-tech and quantum applications.