The UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre’s 2024 Hackathon saw winning teams use IonQ quantum computers and Classiq’s software to develop innovative quantum applications. This marks the second year IonQ and Classiq have teamed up to enable hackathon participants to design, optimize, and execute quantum algorithms. Classiq’s software simplifies the quantum circuit design process, allowing users to define parameters before converting them into optimized circuits.
The winning teams presented quantum use cases for areas such as risk aggregation, insurance loss evaluation, network design, and NHS forecasting. The hackathon, part of NQCC’s user engagement program SparQ, brought together 13 teams with over 70 coders to tackle practical challenges. Projects were judged on scalability and potential to address issues in healthcare, energy, and engineering.
IonQ’s impact at UK hackathon
“We’re delighted that IonQ’s quantum computers were used by the best and brightest quantum computing talent in the UK,” said Peter Chapman, President and CEO of IonQ. “The fact that all three winning teams used IonQ for their projects is humbling and an incredible honor.”
Nir Minerbi, CEO and co-founder of Classiq, added, “It is impressive to see the projects submitted by these talented students and researchers.
We’re proud that our integration with IonQ has enabled them to achieve these winning results.”
The hackathon showcases the growing accessibility and practical applications of quantum computing. The use of IonQ’s processors and Classiq’s software by winning teams demonstrates the maturity of these technologies for real-world problem-solving. The diverse range of applications indicates quantum computing’s potential to disrupt multiple industries.
The event highlights the expanding ecosystem around quantum computing and the collaboration between key players like IonQ, Classiq, and the NQCC. It signifies a maturing market with increasing real-world uses, though the true commercial viability and scalability of these solutions remain to be seen.
