Saudi Aramco, Pasqal Launch Kingdom’s First Quantum Computer

 Saudi Aramco, one of the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, in partnership with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, today announced the inauguration of the Kingdom’s first quantum computer, according to a press release issued today.
 Aramco and Pasqal also unveiled the first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform in the Middle East, opening a new chapter in building regional expertise and accelerating the development of quantum applications across the energy, materials and industrial sectors.
 Marking a major milestone in the region’s technological advancement, QCaaS enables remote cloud access for potential clients around the globe.
 Located at Aramco's data center in Dhahran, the computer provides customers with immediate, low-latency access to quantum hardware through a secure cloud platform to address complex industrial challenges.
 Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation Ahmad Al Khowaiter said: "This quantum milestone belongs to our Saudi researchers, engineers and scientists. By investing in joint training and research, we are building world class quantum expertise right here in the Kingdom—an expertise that will power the next generation of energy solutions, accelerate lower carbon fuel development, and enhance reservoir and supply chain optimization. Let this achievement be the catalyst for an innovation driven economy, creating high impact, future ready jobs for our youth and advancing Saudi Vision 2030."
 Pasqal CEO Wasiq Bokhari said: “Aramco is not just keeping pace with the future of quantum computing; it is helping to shape it as a global leader. This inauguration is evidence that the most demanding industrial challenges in the world are now being tackled with Pasqal's quantum processors, software and specialized solutions.
 "For Pasqal, deploying our system for use in Aramco's business-critical operations, while also being available to the region's enterprises and research community, is a part of our core mission: to enable practical and secure quantum computing at scale today," he added.
 Pasqal has been designing and manufacturing high-performance hardware and cloud-ready software since 2019 to address complex challenges in optimization, simulation, and artificial intelligence. The Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) was used for the first time in November 2025; it is powered by neutral-atom technology and controls 200 programmable qubits.
 Today's inauguration formalizes its entry into active operation across a growing portfolio of industrial use cases and enables enterprises to explore and develop quantum-enhanced solutions for real-world industrial challenges.
 Under the terms of the partnership, Aramco, as a key customer, will advance plans to develop a roadmap of use cases on a production-ready QPU, accelerating the development of quantum-hybrid solutions for its programs across energy, materials and industrial operations.
 Other external organizations, including research institutions, universities, and enterprises, may be able to use Pasqal’s cloud platform to access one of the few quantum computers in the world.
 Aramco’s domestic venture capital arm, Wa’ed Ventures, initially invested in Pasqal in January 2023, reinforcing efforts to localize advanced quantum technologies and accelerate the development of the regional quantum ecosystem.
 Aramco and Pasqal have built a structured quantum program targeting high-value operational challenges across multiple workstreams, where quantum-hybrid approaches unlock capabilities beyond classical computing.
 Aramco’s workstreams include port logistics optimization, CO2 storage optimization, well placement, and rig scheduling.