Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaMay 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aramco, a leading global energy and chemicals company, today announced the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer in partnership with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral atom quantum computing.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation, and Wasiq Bokhari, CEO of Pasqal, at the inauguration of Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer and the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service platform.
The two parties also launched the Middle East’s first commercial “Quantum Computing as a Service” platform, marking a significant step forward in building quantum technology capabilities in the region and accelerating the development of quantum applications in energy, materials, and industrial sectors.
This project represents a major milestone in the technological development of the Middle East. The Quantum Computing as a Service platform provides remote access to global potential users via the cloud. The quantum computer is deployed at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, and customers can directly access the quantum hardware with low latency through a secure cloud platform to address complex industrial challenges.
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation, said: “This significant achievement in quantum computing belongs to Saudi Arabia’s local researchers, engineers, and scientists. Through sustained investment in joint training and research, Saudi Arabia is building world-class quantum technology capabilities domestically, supporting next-generation energy solutions, low-carbon fuel development, and optimization of reservoirs and supply chains. We hope this achievement will serve as a catalyst for an innovation-driven economy, creating high-quality, future-oriented job opportunities for young people and contributing to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Wasiq Bokhari, CEO of Pasqal, said: “Aramco is not waiting for the quantum computing era to arrive; it is actively shaping this cutting-edge technology as a global leader. This launch demonstrates that the world’s most challenging industrial problems are now being addressed using Pasqal’s quantum processors, software, and customized solutions. For Pasqal, deploying quantum systems within Aramco’s critical business operations while making them accessible to businesses and the research community in the region is a core part of our mission: to deliver scalable, practical, and secure quantum computing today.”
Since 2019, Pasqal has been developing high-performance quantum hardware and cloud-based software solutions, focusing on complex applications such as optimization, simulation, and artificial intelligence. The quantum processing unit was initially deployed in November 2025, utilizing neutral atom technology with 200 programmable qubits. This launch marks the system’s official operational status and its role in expanding industrial application scenarios, enabling enterprises to explore and develop quantum-enhanced solutions for real-world industrial challenges.
Under this collaboration, Aramco will serve as an anchor customer, leveraging the production-ready quantum processing unit to advance a roadmap of application scenarios, accelerating the development of quantum-hybrid solutions for projects in its energy, materials, and industrial operations. Meanwhile, external users such as research institutions, universities, and enterprises can access this globally rare quantum computing resource through the Pasqal cloud platform.
Wa’ed Ventures, Aramco’s domestic venture capital arm, made a strategic investment in Pasqal in January 2023 to promote the localization of advanced quantum technology and accelerate the development of the regional quantum ecosystem. Since then, the two parties have built a systematic quantum technology collaboration program, focusing on multiple high-value business scenarios to achieve breakthroughs beyond traditional computing capabilities through quantum-classical hybrid methods. Application areas include port logistics optimization, carbon dioxide sequestration optimization, well placement, rig scheduling, quantum talent development, and promoting the widespread application of quantum computing in the region.