Quantum Insider gives us less than an hour ago ‘Aramco And Pasqal Launch Saudi Arabia’s First Quantum Computer And Middle East’s First Commercial QCaaS Platform’ (at https://thequantuminsider.com/2026/05/19/aramco-and-pasqal-launch-saudi-arabias-first-quantum-computer-and-middle-easts-first-commercial-qcaas-platform/) as such, Saudi Arabia is adding a notch to their services belt, non oil services belt. As such we are given “Aramco and Pasqal officially inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer and launched the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service platform, expanding regional access to quantum computing infrastructure and applications.” As such the Arab population will be Abel to tap into a new “The 200-qubit neutral-atom quantum processing unit, located at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, enables remote cloud-based access for enterprises, universities and research institutions to develop quantum-enhanced solutions for industrial challenges such as logistics, CO₂ storage optimization and supply chain management.” In that setting Ahmad O. Al Khowaiter, Aramco Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation gives us “This quantum milestone belongs to our Saudi researchers, engineers and scientists. By investing in joint training and research, we are building world class quantum expertise right here in the Kingdom—an expertise that will power the next generation of energy solutions, accelerate lower carbon fuel development, and enhance reservoir and supply chain optimization. Let this achievement be the catalyst for an innovation driven economy, creating high impact, future ready jobs for our youth and advancing Saudi Vision 2030.” At present the consumer can access IBM Quantum, Amazon Braket (not Bracket?) And Azure Quantum as such you can still count the consumer quantum profiteers on one hand as Aramco Quantum is added to the global settings of quantum computing and as I see it, it is more than “Aramco is not just waiting for quantum computing, it is helping to shape it as a global leader. This inauguration is evidence that the most demanding industrial challenges in the world are now being tackled with Pasqal’s quantum processors, software and specific solutions. For Pasqal, deploying our system for use in Aramco’s business-critical operations, while also being available to the region’s enterprises and research community, is a part of our core mission: to enable practical and secure quantum computing at scale today.” These are words by Wasiq Bokhari, Pasqal CEO to live by. In this age and setting that anything Americas are rejected more and more, merely the fact that this is Saudi setting and not an American setting might be appreciated by a large cluster setting of 1.7 million corporations comprising largely out of the 2 billion Muslims and they are fiercely offended by some of the western settings and the one Islamic providers is now offering their services. The fact that this gap is now appearing seems to set Saudi Arabia and Aramco as a quantum provider might give Saudi Arabia a few more options down the road. As I see it, the timing couldn’t be better for them. The article ends with “Under the terms of the partnership, Aramco will progress a roadmap of use cases on a production-ready QPU as a foundational customer, accelerating development of quantum-hybrid solutions for its programs across energy, materials and industrial operations. Other external organizations, including research institutions, universities, and enterprises, can use Pasqal’s cloud platform to access one of the few quantum computers in the world. Aramco’s domestic venture capital arm, Wa’ed Ventures, initially invested in Pasqal in January 2023, reinforcing efforts to localize advanced quantum technologies and accelerate the development of the regional quantum ecosystem. Since then, Aramco and Pasqal have built a structured quantum program targeting high-value operational challenges across multiple work-streams, where quantum-hybrid approaches unlock capabilities beyond classical computing. These Aramco work-streams include port logistics optimization, CO₂ storage optimization, well placement, rig scheduling, building the Kingdom’s quantum workforce, and making quantum computing available throughout the region.”
As I see it, it will become a brand new day in Quantum providers and I reckon that the other might have to downgrade their prices as one in three is now seemingly becoming one in four. The other three might have seen under ‘American pricing’ but Aramco is a different kettle of fish and as I see it, they are the only non American alternative out in the field and in this political climate there is the option for Aramco to attract a few other clients as well, who? I have no idea as there is to the best of my knowledge no data on a setting like this. It has never happened before and that is a nice setting for my old nogging (or so they say). It is another service that Aramco will be offering its clientele and it is one that is not easily found on the planet a whole new doorway to revenue is opening to Aramco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Have a great day this Tuesday, Wednesday is still 5 hour away from me and New Zealand gets there in two hours.
Lawrence van Rijn - Law Lord to be 