While quantum computing is redefining the future of computing, extreme roadblocks remain; high operational costs, accessibility challenges, and extreme technical requirements prevent quantum computing development by smaller teams and independent researchers. Decentralized physical infrastructure network Phoenix is looking to remove these barriers through a recent partnership with Origin Quantum to democratize access to quantum computing. We sat down with Tiger Li, Head of Ecosystem at Phoenix, to learn more about the partnership, expanding quantum computing, and DePIN’s massive potential.
Talk about Phoenix and your partnership with Origin Quantum and how this will democratize access to quantum computing?
Phoenix is a decentralized AI and DePIN compute network built to power vertical AI applications and agents. Recently, we partnered with Origin Quantum, China’s leading quantum computing firm, to integrate their 72-qubit superconducting quantum chip into our platform.
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By leveraging this chip, which is almost on par with Google’s recently unveiled 105-qubit chip in capacity, we will be able to test and scale certain industry-specific applications and modules using quantum computation in the form of virtualized “nodes”, or allocations of quantum compute to run ad-hoc tasks or algorithms. These nodes will be delivered to the global market in a simplified API format, as well as a quantum compute terminal. This will allow us to make quantum computing accessible to all at lower computing costs and without any deployment complexity and overhead.
Tell us more about Origin Quantum’s “Wukong” superconducting quantum computer and your motivation behind the collaboration?
Origin Quantum’s “Wukong” superconducting quantum computer is the foundation of our partnership, which features 72 working qubits and 126 coupler qubits, bringing the total to 198 qubits. It’s these qubits that are the fundamental building blocks and are created using superconducting circuits that utilize superconductors’ unique properties to store and manipulate quantum states, enabling quantum computation.
The technology is already live and programmable, with several industry solutions—both experimental and in-production—deployed. Since its launch over a year ago, Origin Wukong has actually completed over 339,000 quantum computing tasks. This year there will be a significant upgrade, from the 72-qubits to a 3-digit qubits range.
Now, one of the main aspects behind the motivation of the partnership is our belief in quantum AI as the latest frontier of quantum computing. While it may be experimental so far, deep neural networks such gated recurrent units, a type of deep learning model, have already been implemented on Origin’s quantum computers. So, it is already at and moving past the proof-of-concept (PoC) stage into real-world experimental applications.
Which industries are you expecting to benefit most from the Phoenix-Origin Quantum collaboration?
With this partnership with Origin Quantum, we are taking a novel approach to computing and DePIN, which combines technology and hardware not yet in the mainstream production stage, to build industry applications requiring large computation for both AI and quantum.
Besides exploring frontiers and methods in quantum AI and machine learning, we are expecting this collaboration to provide value for a variety of use cases across industries, such as material science simulations, large-scale financial Monte Carlo simulations, portfolio management, fraud detection, power-grid optimization, and more.
Can you talk about Phoenix’s QuantumVM and explain just how it will simplify quantum computing for developers and researchers?
Potential hurdles facing wider adoption of quantum computing include the aspects of accessibility, ease of deployment, and cost. At Phoenix, we are developing a web-based quantum computing platform called QuantumVM. Short for Quantum Virtual Machine, we are working with industry experts that will allow its users to run quantum applications without requiring little to no technical expertise.
From researchers to engineers and developers, everyone will be able to build functions, calculations, and applications on Origin’s quantum computers without any understanding of quantum programming and quantum circuits through a simplified web service API. We are excited to bring such an innovative solution to the industry, and we expect QuantumVM to go live in Q2 of this year.
In addition to a QuantumVM, we are building a web-based quantum computing terminal on top of it. This terminal will allow users to execute computations and functions without any coding while making quantum computing cheaper. So, users will enjoy minimal upfront costs as well as less technical know-how for use, research, and implementation.
What are your thoughts on DePIN and its positioning this year?
The DePIN value proposition is clear – access to physical infrastructure combined with decentralization and problem-specific utility. However, in practice, the space has gone through various hype cycles and in many cases focused on trend and concept rather than true utility.
In 2025, with the maturing Web3 space, the proliferation of generative AI, and a more educated participant base, this is set to change. The key questions in 2025 for DePIN are:
- How will application-layer value be delivered?
- How will truly cost-efficient economies of scale be manifested in decentralized networks compared to Web2-based infrastructure?
One of the key considerations is the DePIN economic model – in the past, it has been much more focused on creating abundant supply rather than fulfilling demand. From an economic standpoint, a model that requires providing token rewards to unused node operators (supply) is simply unsustainable. In order to create ample demand, the application and value aspect need to be robust enough with a sustainable growth trajectory.
How does Phoenix’s quantum computing initiative showcase DePIN’s real-world potential?
As an AI-focused DePIN network, quantum compute physical assets enhance the offering mix to include the newest, most cutting-edge type of compute that was previously relatively inaccessible. The unique part of quantum DePIN is that the infrastructure is not provided by individual participants (unlike in the case of GPUs or Wi-Fi) but by a few organizations that develop, manufacture, and maintain the technology.
The crux of the value here is more on the demand side; we would need to ask the question of who would benefit from a cheaper and easier-to-deploy quantum computing solution? The answer is many – anyone from researchers, academics, and smaller corporations with a limited budget. The partnership with Origin Quantum is a pilot of the DePIN model for quantum, but we are open to working with additional organizations that house quantum compute infrastructure – ultimately, more options for the demand side provides more value.
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