As concerns about cybersecurity continue to grow, one company is working on a new way to keep digital information safe by using the strange but powerful science of quantum physics.
Quantized is developing a system that uses quantum networking, a technology that transmits information using particles like photons (tiny bits of light). Unlike regular internet connections, quantum signals are extremely difficult to intercept or tamper with. That makes them a promising option for protecting sensitive data in the future, especially as new kinds of computers, called quantum computers, are being developed that could break today’s encryption methods.
The company’s system aims to connect advanced tools like quantum computers and ultra-precise sensors over long distances. But working with quantum hardware is notoriously tricky. The devices are sensitive, unpredictable, and affected by even tiny amounts of noise or error in the environment.
To help manage that complexity, Quantized added artificial intelligence to the mix. Their team used machine learning, a form of AI that learns patterns from data, to automatically adjust and fine-tune their quantum devices. That makes the system more reliable and easier to use outside of a research lab.
This was not a solo effort. The project brought together a mix of experts: quantum physicists, software developers, and AI researchers. One of the biggest lessons, according to the company, was that building something this complex required people from different backgrounds to learn how to work together and speak the same language. That collaboration helped move the project forward and shaped how the company now tackles other technical challenges.
Inside the company, the project had ripple effects. It helped clarify product goals and improved communication across teams. It also strengthened a culture of collaboration, which the company sees as essential when dealing with fast-moving and difficult technology.
The result was a faster, more stable quantum system that lays the groundwork for building safer communication networks. These could one day support everything from secure government systems to health data transfer or financial services.
Quantum networking is still in its early days, but projects like this show how Canadian companies are contributing to the broader push to build safer digital infrastructure. By combining AI with quantum science, Quantized is working to solve a problem that may become much more urgent in the near future: how to protect our data in an era when traditional defences may no longer be enough.
This article is part of Innovation+ in the Plus 15, a special editorial series from the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum and Digital Journal that explores how Calgary-based companies are innovating.
