Universidade da Coruña (UDC) has inaugurated the Quantum Lab CITIC, a new strategic research infrastructure aimed at positioning Galicia as a leader in applied quantum computing. Supported by €1.04 million in funding from Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the State Research Agency, and the European Union, the lab is designed to foster collaboration between academia, technology centers, and industry while accelerating the development and adoption of quantum technologies.
The facility combines quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing to tackle complex problems beyond the reach of conventional systems. Equipped with a three-qubit SpinQ quantum computer, the lab will focus on areas such as quantum machine learning, hybrid quantum-classical AI models, benchmarking quantum architectures, cybersecurity, healthcare, drug discovery, materials science, and financial risk modeling. It will also provide companies and public organizations with opportunities to test quantum solutions, validate algorithms, and develop pilot projects.
The Quantum Lab is directed by Manuel G. Penedo, director of CITIC, alongside deputy director Eduardo Mosqueira Rey and researcher Diego Andrade Canosa, who played a key role in presenting the initiative. Supported by a multidisciplinary team of senior and junior researchers, the lab is closely connected to regional and European innovation networks, including CESGA and the ITG-UDC Chair in Quantum Technology. It has already attracted interest from Galician companies such as Hijos de Rivera and Abanca, highlighting its potential to drive real-world industrial applications of quantum computing.