Get “Quantum Ready” at the Grace Hopper Celebration 2019

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This October, more than 20,000 women technologists from more than 75 countries will gather in Orlando, Florida, for the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC). For the first time in 18 years, GHC is spotlighting quantum computing in its emerging technologies track. We can’t wait to share our work with attendees at this year’s Celebration.

IBM Quantum Computing Scientists Hanhee Paik (left) and Sarah Sheldon (right) examine the hardware inside an open dilution fridge at the IBM Q Lab at IBM’s T. J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, NY.

Quantum computers will potentially solve a whole class of problems that are too difficult even for the most powerful classical computers, but getting to a future where quantum computers break new ground will require the collective talent and contributions of many brilliant people with diverse perspectives and skill sets.

The truth is, you don’t have to be a quantum physicist or work in a lab to get involved in quantum computing. We recognize that while quantum computing is still in its infancy, there are many ways computer scientists, coders, mathematicians, scientists, quantum enthusiasts and tinkerers can all contribute to progressing this emerging field. Understanding the basic science behind quantum computing and having the resources to learn more will allow participants with different skills and levels of expertise to begin exploring this new emerging field.

Beginning to learn about quantum computing can be intimidating, and the best way to begin learning is by doing. Currently, anyone can write their own quantum program by accessing IBM’s quantum systems over the cloud using the IBM Q Experience. Built into the IBM Q Experience is Qiskit, an open-source quantum computing software developer kit.

While at GHC, attendees will have hands-on opportunities to get involved in the field of quantum computing, through workshops, tutorials, and demos. Our quantum computing team will be at the IBM Booth (#957) teaching attendees how to write a quantum program. Even with just a few introductory quantum programming skills, you can help tackle problems like developing efficient compilers that optimize quantum circuits to run on real devices, or even build a quantum computer game.

If you’re attending GHC, we hope you’ll visit us at booth #957, and join us at the following activities:

IBM Grace Hopper Celebration at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
10/02/2019
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Join us in celebrating the inclusion of quantum computing at GHC! IBM is hosting a special evening of fun at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Passes to the event are available on a first-come-first serve basis for those who stop by the IBM booth and program a quantum computer.

Workshop: How to Program a Quantum Computer
IBM’s Sarah Sheldon, Hanhee Paik, and Neereja Sundaresan
10/4/2019
OCCC W308D
9:45-10:45 AM

Attendees of this workshop will learn how to program a quantum computer using Qiskit, a Python-based software development kit. Workshop topics include: What is a qubit? How does a quantum computer work differently than a classical computer? And most importantly, how do you program a quantum computer?

Presentation: Near-Term Applications of Quantum Computers
IBM’s Cihan Kurter and Tanvi Gujurati
10/4/2019
OCCC W314A
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

This talk will explore the problems from chemistry to machine learning that might be studied on near-term quantum systems. Physicists, chemists, material scientists and engineers who are interested in exploring the applications of quantum computing are encouraged to attend.

We hope attending the workshops, celebrating with us in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and exploring the resources we have online for you at Qiskit for Educators will jumpstart your journey into quantum.

Interested in quantum computing opportunities at IBM Q? Come work with us! Stop by the IBM Booth (#957) to meet our scientists and members of our team. IBM Q offers a unique and paid internship experience for students from around the world, in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Students with varying backgrounds, professional interests, and curiosities are encouraged to apply.