A New Frontier in AI: Preparing for Quantum Computing
Eighteen months after a successful $665 million sale of his startup to AMD, Finnish entrepreneur Peter Sarlin has stepped down as CEO of the unit, now known as AMD Silo AI. He is now spearheading two new ventures: NestAI, a physical AI lab, and QuTwo, an ambitious AI startup focused on helping businesses navigate the impending era of quantum computing.
QuTwo: An AI Lab for the Quantum Era
Currently fully funded by Sarlin's family office, PostScriptum, QuTwo positions itself as "an AI lab for the quantum era." Rather than waiting for quantum computing to mature, the company is already collaborating with enterprise clients. Notably, QuTwo is working with European fashion retailer Zalando to develop "lifestyle agents." These are advanced AI tools designed to move beyond simple product searches and proactively suggest relevant products and experiences to customers.
Addressing the AI Efficiency Wall with Hybrid Computing
QuTwo is founded on the principle that artificial intelligence is approaching an efficiency limit, a challenge that quantum computing is expected to eventually help overcome. However, Sarlin emphasizes that QuTwo is not fixated on the timeline for quantum computing's widespread adoption. Instead, the startup is developing QuTwo OS, an orchestration layer that enables companies to transition seamlessly from classical to quantum computing environments, leveraging hybrid computing approaches in the interim.
The Promise of Quantum-Inspired and Hybrid Solutions
Sarlin has made strategic investments in Finnish quantum companies IQM and QMill through PostScriptum, aligning with a growing belief among investors that quantum computing will eventually surpass classical computers in various industry applications while also reducing the significant energy demands of AI. He foresees initial use cases requiring mixed hardware environments, where enterprises can focus on their core business problems while QuTwo OS handles the complex routing between classical and quantum resources.
In this context, "quantum-inspired" computing offers a compelling middle ground. It utilizes classical hardware to simulate quantum behaviors, making it viable today by circumventing the current hurdles in quantum hardware development. QuTwo OS is designed for maximum flexibility, supporting both quantum and non-quantum algorithms and chips, ensuring adaptability as the technology landscape evolves.
A Team Bridging Quantum and AI Expertise
QuTwo boasts a team with deep expertise across both the quantum and AI domains. On the quantum side, notable members include Kuan Yen Tan, cofounder of IQM, and Antti Vasara, a board member at IQM and chair at SemiQon, a Finnish semiconductor startup focused on quantum chips. The enterprise side is equally represented by Sarlin himself and Kaj-Mikael Björk, a former cofounder at Silo AI. The company's board also includes Pekka Lundmark, former CEO of the Finnish telecom giant Nokia.
Collectively, the team comprises over 30 quantum and AI scientists. Sarlin clearly articulates QuTwo's mission: "We're building for the quantum world, but QuTwo is an AI company." This means QuTwo is focused on "pushing AI workloads from classical to quantum," aiming to enhance AI capabilities through quantum advancements. This strategic focus could lead to a broad customer base.
Commercial Traction and Strategic Partnerships
Beyond Zalando, QuTwo has initiated a joint quantum AI research initiative with OP Pohjola, a prominent Finnish financial services provider. From its inception, QuTwo has maintained a strong commercial orientation. Sarlin reports that the company has already secured "large design partnerships which are in the tens of millions." These partnerships involve co-developing products with enterprise customers, allowing QuTwo to understand client expectations firsthand as it builds its offerings. For enterprises, these collaborations represent an opportunity to establish an early advantage in anticipation of the eventual arrival of widespread quantum computing.
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