Solving Vehicle Routing Problems using Quantum Computing

This time the talk will be given by Paweł Gora.

Abstract:

In this talk, I will introduce a few approaches to solve the Vehicle Routing Problems and its variants using quantum computing. First, I will formally define the considered optimization problems and the corresponding QUBO formulations. Then, I will explain how these problems can be tackled using quantum annealing, QAOA and VQE, and present the results of experiments achieved in 2021 by an international group of students under my supervision within the QIntern program at QWorld. Finally, I will explain how we are going to enhance these approaches, e.g., using graph coarsening and surrogate optimization.

Bio:

Paweł Gora is a scientist, IT specialist and entrepreneur working mostly on the applications of AI (especially in transportation and medicine) and quantum computing. Graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics of the University of Warsaw (M.Sc. in Mathematics and M.Sc. in Computer Science) and is now a PhD Candidate at that Faculty. In the past, he worked as a software engineering intern or research intern at Microsoft, Google, CERN and IBM Research. He is one of the organizers of 2 meetups in Warsaw: Warsaw.ai and Warsaw Quantum Computing Group, and a member of the Board of QWorld and QPoland. He is also a founder and CEO of the "Quantum AI Foundation" http://www.qaif.pl aiming to support development of AI and quantum computing. He also co-founded the "Quantum AI" group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/quantumai) aiming to facilitate education in the area of applications of AI in quantum computing and quantum computing in AI. He received several awards, e.g., "Lider ITS" award for the best R&D work in the intelligent transportation systems domain in Poland. "MIT Technology Review" recognized him as one of 10 Top Polish Talents in the "MIT

Innovators Under 35" competition. In 2017, he was also placed on the "NEW EUROPE 100" list of emerging technology stars in Eastern Europe. He also collaborates with the public sector, e.g., he was working on recommendations for the Polish AI strategy and Polish IoT strategy. He was also a member of the Council for Digitalization. He also collaborates with several startups serving as a technical and business advisor. More info: http://www.mimuw.edu.pl/~pawelg.