A new technology venture is trying to help businesses get ready for the future of computing even before quantum systems become widely available. Peter Sarlin, who sold his startup to AMD for $665 million around 18 months ago, has stepped down as CEO of the unit now known as AMD Silo AI. He is now chairman of QuTwo, an AI startup focused on helping enterprises prepare for the upcoming quantum computing era and NestAI, a physical AI lab.
QuTwo is currently funded by Sarlin’s family office, PostScriptum and describes itself as “an AI lab for the quantum era.” Instead of waiting for quantum computing technology to fully mature, the startup has already started working with enterprise clients. One of its partners is Zalando, a European fashion retailer. Together, they are developing “lifestyle agents,” AI tools designed to move beyond simple product searches and proactively suggest products and experiences to users.
The startup is based on the idea that AI may soon reach an efficiency limit that quantum computing could help overcome. However, Sarlin says the company is not relying on a specific timeline for quantum breakthroughs. Instead, QuTwo is developing QuTwo OS, an orchestration layer that allows companies to transition from classical computing to quantum systems. The platform supports hybrid computing, allowing organisations to combine classical and quantum technologies. Sarlin has also invested in Finnish quantum companies IQM and QMill through PostScriptum, reflecting growing investor belief that quantum computing could outperform classical systems in several industry applications while reducing AI’s energy demands.
QuTwo’s team includes experts from both the quantum and enterprise technology sectors. The quantum side includes Kuan Yen Tan and board member Antti Vasara, who is also chair at SemiQon, a Finnish semiconductor startup focused on quantum chips. The enterprise side includes Sarlin and Kaj-Mikael Björk, along with Pekka Lundmark from Nokia, who has joined the board. The company currently has over 30 quantum and AI scientists. Sarlin explained the company’s focus clearly: “We’re building for the quantum world, but QuTwo is an AI company,” meaning that QuTwo is “pushing AI workloads from classical to quantum.” The company has already launched a joint quantum AI research initiative with OP Pohjola, a Finnish financial services provider and has secured design partnerships worth tens of millions as enterprises prepare for the arrival of quantum computing.
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