Students and faculty gather for poster session during the Quantum AI and NLP 2025 Conference.
Photo by Chris Kowalczyk, Luddy Communications.
Opportunity arrived in the cutting edge world of Quantum AI and the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering was at the forefront by hosting the recent Quantum AI and NLP 2025 Conference.
The three-day event, held at the IU Memorial Union and Whittenberger Auditorium, drew international corporate executives and world-renowned researchers as well as faculty and students to discuss the role of academic education, desired industry skills and potential partnerships between industry and academia in the Quantum AI field.
Damir Cavar, associate professor and conference director, said the conference brought together “people interested in quantum computing and AI from academia, industry, government, and defense.”
“We attracted many participants from the Midwest and some from all over the U.S. and the world,” he said. “The talks and discussions were at a high level and very interesting.”
Quantum AI seeks to use quantum computing principles to boost artificial intelligence systems by using quantum algorithms and architectures to better handle AI tasks than traditional computers.
Nearly 200 people attended, some from as far away as Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, India and Bulgaria. Ten were government employers from organizations such as the Defense Innovation Unit and the Advanced Research Institute. Faculty and students came from universities in Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Participants also included representatives from businesses such as Honda, Wells Fargo, Eli Lilly, Bloom, MyThinkTank, Semiring and Sloop.
“One of the goals was to bring together the big players in Quantum and AI, together with our colleagues and administrators,” said Cavar, who also directs the Natural Language Processing Lab and organizes the Quantum AI NLP study group.
“We organized small group dinners and socialization events. This was very successful. Hopefully, something will emerge from this to benefit our students and targeted research activities.”
Luddy School Dean Joanna Millunchick participated in panel discussing education, research and workforce development.
Credit: Photo by Chris Kowalczyk, Luddy School Communications.
Luddy School Dean Joanna Millunchick participated in a panel discussing education, research and workforce development. Cavar said the panel aimed to facilitate AI and Quantum education in the region, including IU and the Midwest.
The conference drew high-profile speakers such as Microsoft Vice President William Chappell, IBM Vice President of Quantum and AI Ismael Faro, Quantinuum Chief Scientist Bob Coecke, Qognitive Founder and Chief Scientist Kharen Musaelian and NVIDIA’s Monica VanDieren, a professor of mathematics at Robert Morris University.
Representatives from industry, academia and government organizations such as NSWC Crane and ARI attended.
Panel topics also included cybersecurity and policies.
Poster presentations focused on Quantum and AI, AI and Quantum, and Cognition and Quantum. Topics included “Generalizing Quantum Question Equalities: Measurement Order Effects in Decision Making,” and “Oscillating Field Perturbation: A Quantum Model of Arousal and Cognitive Control.”
There was even a Quantum Rock concert that explored the intersection of quantum physics and music.
Cavar said a big emphasis was to draw faculty and students from IU’s schools and departments, including physics, mathematics and chemistry, cognitive science in the College of Arts and Sciences, social sciences such as psychology and linguistics, as well as public health.
“The interesting thing is that many different research groups are involved in quantum-related research,” Cavar said. “This kind of event brought them together and facilitated interesting discussions and collaboration opportunities.”
During the conference, Luddy School faculty and students presented papers and posters. Cavar said it was an excellent opportunity for students to meet industry leaders, government representatives and researchers working on AI and Quantum, and explore opportunities for internships and jobs, as well as network.
IU Associate Professor Damir Cavar (right) organized the conference, which drew nearly 200 people from around the world.
Credit: Photo by Chris Kowalczyk, Luddy School Communications.
Carvar said he also reached out to regional businesses and the city of Bloomington as well as county, and state organizations, and even regional politicians.
“The entire conference was a comprehensive educational event,” said Cavar, who hoped to facilitate a partnership with NVIDIA CUDA-Q, which is the company’s software library specifically designed for programming hybrid quantum computing.