How Saudi Arabia is moving towards a quantum economy

Saudi Arabia is proactively positioning itself within the emerging quantum revolution, with ambitious plans to harness quantum technologies for economic advancement, national security enhancement and improved quality of life for its citizens.

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Saudi Arabia initiated the Quantum Economy project to build momentum for a national quantum economy strategy and offers a case study that others can follow.

It has now released its inaugural report, Quantum Economy Landscape in Saudi Arabia, which analyzes the Kingdom’s current capabilities and reflects the dedication to understanding and leveraging quantum technologies.

This comprehensive report results from a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector.

By combining cross-sector expertise, the report reflects Saudi Arabia’s holistic approach to leveraging quantum technologies, aligning with the technological innovation and economic diversification goals outlined in Vision 2030.

Quantum technology, based on quantum mechanics principles, promises transformative capabilities in computation, communication and sensing.

These capabilities can lead to breakthroughs across multiple domains, including secure communication networks, advanced materials discovery, improved climate modelling and more efficient drug development.

Acknowledging these immense benefits, Saudi Arabia is actively integrating the Forum’s Quantum Economy Blueprint to support in positioning the Kingdom among global leaders as it formulates a comprehensive national quantum roadmap.

Saudi Arabia’s quantum priorities span multiple areas, including talent development, research and development, hardware innovation, commercialization and raising awareness, reflecting a multi-faceted approach to building a robust quantum ecosystem.

Developing a robust quantum workforce is critical for advancing research and commercial applications. Numerous Saudi universities and research institutions have established research centres and designed undergraduate and graduate curricula focused on quantum technology. For example, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals offers specialized courses and research programmes focused on quantum computing, sensing and communications.

Other universities and centres are also increasingly integrating quantum-focused topics into their curricula, signalling a clear trajectory toward building a skilled talent pool.

Additionally, initiatives such as quantum hackathons and partnerships with organizations such as the technology-focused Tuwaiq Academy nurture practical skills and foster a community of quantum enthusiasts.

While promising, these efforts must continue to scale. Additional professional training courses, certification programmes, and talent attraction strategies will ensure that Saudi Arabia can meet the global demand for quantum expertise.

In parallel, the Kingdom focuses on the importance of government and industry collaborations in enhancing research in development.

By fostering an environment where research teams can experiment with advanced quantum algorithms, device architectures and cryptographic methods, the Kingdom aims to move swiftly from concept to real-world applications.

Various initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to harnessing quantum for industrial applications and economic growth:

These partnerships underscore the report’s call for a dedicated quantum foundry to bolster research, development, and commercialization efforts.

Such a facility would function as a central hub for on-chip quantum technologies, offering the infrastructure and tools essential for quantum research and development, including device fabrication and testing – ultimately expediting commercialization.

Such partnerships amplify the Kingdom’s global standing by :

Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to quantum technology enhances its technological capabilities and aligns with its vision of economic diversification and leadership in emerging fields.

These initiatives demonstrate the Kingdom’s ambition to be at the forefront of the quantum revolution, potentially transforming various sectors of its economy and society.

In addition, C4IR Saudi Arabia is supporting the Quantum for Society Challenge through the Forum’s UpLink platform. This challenge seeks innovative quantum-based solutions to address pressing societal and environmental dilemmas.

By encouraging startups, researchers and entrepreneurs to present their transformative quantum applications, the challenge underlines the Kingdom’s commitment to positioning quantum technologies as catalysts for sustainable development and social impact.

Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of public engagement and collaborative efforts in successfully integrating quantum technologies into its economy. The Kingdom has implemented several strategies to raise awareness and foster cooperation in this cutting-edge field.

For example, World Quantum Day 2024 in Saudi Arabia garnered significant media attention, highlighting the Kingdom’s active involvement in the quantum realm.

This event platformed the country’s progress and ambitions in quantum technologies. The Kingdom has launched various events and public seminars aimed at:

By cultivating a society that is knowledgeable about and receptive to quantum technologies, Saudi Arabia aims to:

These efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing quantum technologies and ensuring their successful integration into society and the economy.

By fostering a quantum-aware populace, the Kingdom is laying the groundwork for a future where quantum innovations can thrive and contribute significantly to economic growth and technological advancement.

A comprehensive national programme is essential to harness the benefits of quantum technologies while mitigating their risks. C4IR Saudi Arabia is working with stakeholders to outline the primary objectives of such a programme.

These include identifying promising areas of quantum technology development, developing strategic plans for research and commercialization, addressing societal impacts, focusing on workforce development and promoting public awareness.

A governance structure with a consortium of key government, industry and academia stakeholders could lead this programme to ensure its success. Join the Forum’s efforts to develop equitable quantum ecosystems across regions and participate in the quantum economy.