The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has revealed plans for a competition that will bring together brilliant minds from different disciplines to apply quantum computing to real-world issues. With a prize pool totaling around 200 million yen, the competition aims to tap into undiscovered talents and experts to tackle pressing societal challenges facing Japanese communities, ranging from the impacts of natural disasters to the complexities of an aging population.
NEDO's initiative seeks to encourage both individuals and groups to participate in the quantum computing challenge, even if they do not possess previous experience in the field. The organization is taking steps to address talent shortages in quantum computing by providing opportunities for corporate researchers, International Mathematical Olympiad winners, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in this unique competition. Participants are invited to enroll in free courses to gain specialized knowledge in quantum computing before delving into the contest in March 2025.
The competition will involve presenting selected concrete social issues to the participants, who will then have the opportunity to devise innovative solutions using quantum computing techniques. Through an open call for suggestions from the public, three societal problems will be identified for participants to focus on, with the most promising solutions being awarded 20 million yen or more. The goal is to foster out-of-the-box thinking and novel approaches to problem-solving, particularly from individuals who bring fresh perspectives and diverse expertise to the table.