D-Wave Expands Quantum Computing Education in Italy Through National Seminar Series
COMO, Italy – [Date], 2025 – D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) (“D-Wave” or the “Company”), a global leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, today announced the launch of a series of educational seminars across Italy. The initiative, beginning this week, aims to advance awareness, education, and adoption of annealing quantum computing within Italy’s academic and research communities. The seminars are part of the newly established Q-Alliance, a collaborative effort designed to accelerate Italy’s role in the global quantum ecosystem.
Unveiled during last week’s Digital Innovation Forum in Como, Italy, the Q-Alliance supports the Italian government’s strategic vision for digital transformation and next-generation technology development. The alliance unites leading institutions, government agencies, and private sector partners in a shared mission to cultivate Italy’s quantum research capabilities and drive industrial innovation powered by quantum computing.
Building Italy’s Quantum Future
A central pillar of the Q-Alliance initiative is the creation of a state-of-the-art quantum computing and research facility in the Lombardy region, envisioned as a national center for quantum innovation. To accelerate that goal, D-Wave announced a €10 million contract for the deployment of an Advantage2™ annealing quantum computer, its most advanced commercial quantum system to date. The installation will make Italy one of the few European countries to host an operational quantum system accessible to universities, research institutions, and private industry.
Under the agreement, D-Wave and its partners will provide five years of shared access to 50% of the system’s computational capacity, with the option for the Italian government to acquire full ownership in the future. This arrangement ensures broad availability of the quantum platform while encouraging collaboration between academic researchers and commercial innovators seeking to apply quantum solutions to real-world challenges.
The Lombardy installation represents not only a significant investment in cutting-edge infrastructure but also a major step toward establishing Italy as a European hub for applied quantum research. The facility will serve as a resource for experimental exploration, education, and the development of hybrid quantum-classical solutions designed to optimize processes across industries ranging from logistics and manufacturing to finance, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
A Long-Term Partnership for Quantum Advancement
“As a founding member of the Q-Alliance, D-Wave is deeply committed to fast-tracking efforts to establish Italy as a global hub of quantum innovation,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “Through the placement of a D-Wave system in the region and ongoing hands-on workshops and training for Italy’s research and academic communities, we are providing access to D-Wave’s powerful, commercial-grade quantum technologies and expertise. Together, we aim to help usher in Italy’s era of quantum-fueled progress.”
Baratz added that D-Wave’s role extends beyond hardware deployment. The company’s partnership with Italy includes education, skills development, and collaboration programs designed to cultivate a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers. “The long-term success of quantum computing depends not just on machines, but on people — on building the skills and curiosity needed to harness this transformative technology,” he said.
Expanding Education Through the Q-Alliance Seminars
The first sessions of the D-Wave seminar series are being held at the Università dell’Insubria in Como and the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. Each seminar is tailored to foster deep technical understanding of quantum annealing and hybrid quantum-classical methods among students, professors, and researchers.
The program includes lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and project-based workshops designed to help participants learn how to formulate, optimize, and simulate complex problems using D-Wave’s quantum systems. Key discussion topics include:
- Principles of quantum annealing and its advantages for optimization and simulation tasks.
- Algorithmic design and model formulation for solving real-world challenges using quantum-classical hybrid architectures.
- Application development in fields such as logistics optimization, AI model training, financial portfolio analysis, and material discovery.
- Quantum education pathways, including scholarships, internships, and advanced training opportunities supported by D-Wave and the Q-Alliance.
By creating structured educational pathways, the seminars aim to accelerate quantum literacy across Italy’s universities and research networks, helping to cultivate a new cohort of experts equipped to drive the country’s digital transformation.
Strengthening Italy’s Digital Transformation Goals
Italy’s participation in the global quantum landscape aligns with its broader national strategy for digital innovation and technological sovereignty. Through initiatives such as the Q-Alliance, the Italian government is seeking to establish strong local capabilities in emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and quantum computing — as part of its long-term plan to bolster competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience.
Quantum computing, particularly through D-Wave’s annealing-based systems, offers a powerful approach to tackling optimization and simulation problems that are challenging or impossible for classical computers. Applications range from improving energy efficiency in industrial operations to optimizing transportation networks, accelerating drug discovery, and enabling smarter financial modeling.
By situating an advanced D-Wave system in Lombardy, Italy is ensuring that its researchers and innovators gain direct access to one of the world’s leading quantum computing platforms — not only as users but as contributors to its advancement.
Empowering a New Era of Quantum Collaboration
The collaboration between D-Wave, the Q-Alliance, and Italy’s academic institutions signals a new phase of European quantum development centered on applied research, education, and cross-sector innovation. The establishment of training programs and regional workshops is expected to create a network of quantum-literate professionals who can drive both scientific discovery and industrial application.
D-Wave’s ongoing presence in Italy reinforces its mission to democratize access to quantum technologies, supporting global efforts to make quantum computing a practical tool for today’s business and societal challenges. With its deep expertise in annealing-based systems and hybrid quantum-classical solutions, the company continues to play a leading role in making quantum computing accessible and impactful worldwide.
