Speaker: Alessandro Sebastianelli, CMCC

Moderator: Giovanni Aloisio and Mario Raffa, CMCC

In recent years, quantum computing has undergone rapid evolution, transitioning from a purely theoretical paradigm to a concretely accessible technology through dedicated hardware and cloud platforms. This seminar presents the results of five years of scientific research I conducted in the field of quantum computing and quantum machine learning applied to the domain of Earth observation, with particular attention to prospects for extension toward climate sciences.

After a brief introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantum computing (designed for a non-expert audience), an overview of currently available hardware will be provided (gate-based, annealers, simulators) along with its characteristics and practical limitations. The main activities carried out will then be presented, discussing observed advantages, open challenges, and lessons learned.

The concluding section will be dedicated to the opportunities that quantum computing could offer in the field of climate sciences: from managing high-dimensionality datasets to the simulation of complex systems, through to the acceleration of machine learning models. The objective is to initiate a discussion within CMCC on the possible synergies between this emerging technology and the center’s research priorities.