PensionDanmark invests in the supercomputers of the future

Complex problems require complex calculations, where conventional computers fall short. Therefore, there is an estimated global potential for so-called quantum computers with an annual value in the hundreds of billions of dollars. 

This market can, in the future, contribute to the returns on pension savings for a large group of skilled and unskilled workers. PensionDanmark has invested 10 million dollars in the American quantum computing company Atom Computing, which is on its way to establishing itself in Denmark for the benefit of the Danish quantum environment.

"Quantum computers can open up a whole new world of solutions, and with this investment, we give our members the opportunity to share in the returns from this potential paradigm shift to the benefit of their pension savings," states Peter Stensgaard Mørch, CEO of PensionDanmark. 

Quantum computers are made up of so-called qubits, which can interact together and solve complex problems that are extremely challenging for traditional supercomputers. In October 2023, Atom Computing announced that the company had created the world's first gate-based quantum computing platform with a capacity of over 1000 qubits. And Microsoft has just announced a new partnership with Atom Computing to build the world's most powerful quantum computer.

Quantum computers can work much faster than traditional computers and perform calculations that are far more complex. Therefore, the supercomputers are expected to open up groundbreaking solutions especially within simulation, optimization, machine learning, and encryption. Solutions that can be used for everything from discovering new drugs and optimizing flight routes to artificial intelligence and increased cybersecurity. 

The Danish professional environment for quantum technology dates back more than 100 years to Niels Bohr's atomic model from 1913, and earlier this year, Atom Computing announced that it is establishing its European headquarters in Copenhagen. 

"The link between Atom Computing's promising computing power and the Danish quantum environment holds great potential, which we would like to support. We see quantum solutions as part of the future, and with Denmark's scientific traditions in the area, it is obvious that we should strive for a place in the international forefront," says Peter Stensgaard Mørch.

Facts 

• Atom Computing was founded in 2018 in Berkeley, California, USA. In 2022, the company opened a commercial operations facility in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
  
  
• The company announced in October 2023 that it had created the world's first gate-based quantum computing platform with a capacity of over 1000 qubits. The model is expected on the market as a cloud solution by the end of 2025.
  
  
• Atom Computing announced in June 2024 that the company is establishing a European headquarters in Copenhagen. On the same occasion, Denmark's Export and Investment Fund, EIFO, announced that it is investing 70 million DKK in the company.
  
  
• On September 10, 2024, Microsoft announced a collaboration with Atom Computing to create "the world’s most powerful supercomputer." The companies are cooperating to develop fault-tolerant quantum supercomputers using Atom Computing's hardware and Microsoft's error-correcting algorithms.
  
  
• Boston Consulting Group estimates that quantum computers can develop an annual value creation for end-users of 450-850 billion dollars by 2035 in the form of new revenue and cost savings.