Aramco, in partnership with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral‑atom quantum computing, has officially inaugurated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer, marking a historic milestone in the region’s technological evolution. Alongside the inauguration, the two organizations unveiled the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform, opening the door for enterprises, researchers, and industrial innovators to access quantum capabilities through the cloud.
Located at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, the system provides low‑latency, secure cloud access to one of the world’s few operational quantum processors. The QCaaS platform enables customers globally to experiment with quantum algorithms and develop quantum‑enhanced solutions for complex industrial challenges across energy, materials, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation, emphasized the national significance of the achievement. “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—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 highlighted Aramco’s leadership in shaping the global quantum landscape. “Aramco is not just waiting for quantum computing, it is helping to shape it as a global leader. This inauguration shows that the most demanding industrial challenges are now being tackled with Pasqal’s quantum processors, software, and solutions. Deploying our system for Aramco’s business‑critical operations—while also making it available to the region’s enterprises and research community—is central to our mission of enabling practical and secure quantum computing at scale.”
Pasqal’s Quantum Processing Unit (QPU), deployed in late 2025, is powered by neutral‑atom technology and features 200 programmable qubits. With today’s inauguration, the system enters full operational use, supporting a growing portfolio of quantum‑hybrid applications in optimization, simulation, and AI‑driven modeling.
Under the partnership, Aramco will advance a roadmap of production‑ready quantum use cases across energy, materials, and industrial operations. External organizations—including universities, research institutions, and enterprises—can also access the QPU through Pasqal’s cloud platform.
Aramco’s venture capital arm, Wa’ed Ventures, first invested in Pasqal in 2023, reinforcing efforts to localize advanced quantum technologies and accelerate the Kingdom’s quantum ecosystem. Joint workstreams already underway include port logistics optimization, CO₂ storage modeling, well placement, rig scheduling, and quantum workforce development—areas where quantum‑hybrid approaches unlock capabilities beyond classical computing.
