Complex use cases for quantum computing are beginning to emerge
The Cleveland Clinic is looking to find ways to use the new technology for research and sees potential impact for artificial intelligence as well.

Efforts to incorporate the benefits of quantum computing in healthcare are just beginning through work at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the first organizations to have an installation of the advanced computing technology.
The academic health system and research organization has been looking for new ways to use the technology since 2023, when it announced that it had entered a partnership with IBM to install the first quantum computer dedicated to healthcare research.
The computer is the first managed on-site by IBM for the private sector in the U.S. The provider and IBM entered a Discovery Accelerator partnership that aims to use artificial intelligence and quantum computing to accelerate innovations and research into genomics, population health, clinical applications, and chemical and drug discovery. The accelerator, a joint clinic-IBM center, will feature hybrid cloud data storage that enables faster storage and analysis of vast amounts of data.
Cleveland Clinic is looking for ways to expand use of quantum computing. For example, it’s beginning a new search for startups and early-stage companies that want to use its quantum computer for various research projects. And it’s pondering how the technology could best unlock the capabilities of artificial intelligence in solving complex problems.
A primer on quantum computing
Quantum computing differs widely from what is termed classical computing, which has driven automation for years. Whether involving a desktop computer, laptop or other automation, it employs the same approach – using a series of 1s and 0s, known as bits – to solve problems.
Quantum computing, by contrast, combines aspects of computer science, physics and mathematics that use quantum mechanics to solve complex problems. The field includes hardware research and application development. It uses qubits that leverage the properties of quantum mechanics “to exist in multiple states at the same time,” according to a description by the Cleveland Clinic. It’s not limited to approaches that sequentially attempt to solve a problem; it can try different solutions at the same time to find the best solution.
Quantum computers offer the potential to calculate machine learning, data analysis, optimization and some types of simulation. Because it can process vast amounts of information simultaneously, experts see it as an optimal tool for data-intensive tasks, such as faster drug discovery and development, improved precision in personalized medicine through advanced genomic analysis, enhanced medical imaging and more effective AI-powered diagnostic tools.
Cleveland Clinic’s approach
Since 2023, the Cleveland Clinic has entered into joint initiatives to find ways to research how best to use quantum computing in healthcare.
For example, this past April, the healthcare organization entered into a strategic collaboration with CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society specializing in scientific content and knowledge management.
The intent is to “unite the organizations’ unique expertise, technology and data capabilities to fuel clinical research.”
The organizations say the effort will initially focus on health, wellness and healthy aging, “with an emphasis on drug discovery for brain health and Alzheimer's disease.” Brain health is an appropriate use for the brute force capabilities of quantum computing because of “the relative lack of effective, disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s due to the complex nature of the disease.” The collaborators plan to build and train disease-specific models, starting with Alzheimer’s, focused on advancing preventative and predictive strategies. These approaches might potentially be translated to other chronic diseases in the future.
The announcement came in connection with the Cleveland Clinic’s second annual Discovery and Innovation Forum in April, an event how advanced technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and digital health are enabling advancements in care.
Finding new use cases
The clinic also is expanding access to its quantum computer for research purposes. For example, at the forum, it announced plans, in collaboration with UNESCO, to provide researchers in Africa with remote access to its IBM Quantum System One, enabling them to use advanced computing technologies on that continent.
Also this year, Miami University and Cleveland Clinic are partnering to advance education in quantum computing. The partnership will help establish Ohio’s first specialized degree programs and research experiences in quantum computing. “This initiative also will cultivate scientific and entrepreneurial talent to develop companies, elevate businesses, and advance organizations that leverage quantum computing,” Miami University announced.
And the clinic is offering a competitive program, called the Quantum Innovation Catalzyer Program, which enables early and venture-stage companies to study the use of quantum computing applications in biomedical research that could impact healthcare and life sciences.
After completing a first round of the program last year, the clinic announced it is accepting applications to participate in the competitive program over the next few weeks. The 12-month program includes dedicated access to IBM’s Quantum System One at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. As many as four companies will be selected through a competitive application process. The winning companies will have an opportunity to receive an investment of as much as $250,000 from K5 Tokyo Black Fund with an in-kind match from Cleveland Clinic. Information on the program can be found at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/innovations/quantum-innovation-catalyzer-program.
And the organization is hoping that the advanced technology can have an impact on accelerating the use and efficacy of artificial intelligence.
“AI methods are currently limited by the abilities of classical computers to process complex data,” said Ahmet Erdemir, PhD, associate staff member at the Center for Computational Life Sciences, in an article published by the Lerner Research Institute. “Quantum computing can potentially enhance AI’s capabilities by removing the limitations of data size, complexity, and the speed of problem solving.”