For the first time in history, scientists have discovered quantum chemistry using artificial intelligence

Korean researchers have used quantum computing for the first time to accurately determine molecular properties using a new technique based on artificial intelligence. This breakthrough opens up perspectives in the creation of new generation drugs and the development of innovative materials.

A team of researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) led by Dr. Hyang-Taeg Lim developed an algorithm capable of estimating interatomic bonds and ground state energies with chemical accuracy.

Their method requires significantly fewer resources than traditional approaches and does not rely on quantum error correction, making it revolutionary in the field of quantum computing.

Instead of classical qubits, which have only two states (0 and 1), the researchers used qubits ’judites — units of quantum information with a larger number of states, such as 0, 1, and 2.

This approach provides the ability to perform high-precision calculations in higher dimensions, reducing the number of errors.

In particular, the team calculated the bond lengths between hydrogen atoms in four-dimensional space, as well as the ground-state energy for the lithium hydride (LiH) molecule in 16 dimensions. This is the first use of 16-dimensional calculations in photonic systems.

The development promises to revolutionize industries where understanding molecular properties is important, such as pharmaceuticals, battery development, and climate change modeling.

This breakthrough comes on the heels of the recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry for using artificial intelligence to predict protein structures. This highlights how AI and quantum computing are collectively transforming modern science.

Quantum chemistry, which was a theoretical concept until recently, is now becoming a reality thanks to AI and quantum technology, shaping the future of science and industry.