D-Wave Systems Inc., the world’s leader in quantum computing systems and software, today announced the launch of its Quadrant business unit, formed to provide machine learning services that make state-of-the-art deep learning accessible to companies across a wide range of industries and application areas. Quadrant’s algorithms enable accurate discriminative learning (predicting outputs from inputs) using less data by constructing generative models which jointly model both inputs and outputs. Quadrant offers the services of its in-house experts to help customers get the benefit of leading-edge machine learning solutions.
Quadrant builds models of how data is generated and how labels are assigned so we can train accurate, discriminative models with less labeled data.
Have you wondered why large datasets are so important? It’s because most current deep learning algorithms are discriminative: you need to train your model with massive amounts of labeled data to prevent overfitting.
Only then can you apply your model outside your training set and get novel insights and business value… which is why you were interested in AI and machine learning in the first place.
However, by building models of how data is generated and how labels are assigned, D-Wave can train accurate discriminative models with far less data.
Quadrant’s generative models combine the flexibility of deep neural nets with probabilistic graphical models to obtain the benefits of both. Arising from research into the application of quantum computing to machine learning, Quadrant solutions provide world-leading performance across a number of generative and discriminative benchmark problems. Unlike traditional approaches that require large volumes of labeled data, Quadrant’s models deliver the benefits of high performance deep learning without the expense required to create large high-quality labeled datasets.
“D-Wave is committed to tackling real-world problems, today. Quadrant is a natural extension of the scientific and technological advances from D-Wave as we continue to explore new applications for our quantum systems,”said Vern Brownell, CEO at D-Wave.
Today, D-Wave also announced Quadrant’s first work with Siemens Healthineers, a global leader in medical technology company. Siemens Healthineers and D-Wave took first place in the CATARACTS medical imaging grand challenge, using Quadrant’s generative machine learning algorithms to identify surgical instruments in videos with high accuracy. These algorithms are being researched as a way to improve patient outcomes through better augmented surgery and ultimately computer-assisted interventions (CAI).
“Machine learning has the potential to accelerate efficiency and innovation across virtually every industry. Quadrant’s models are able to perform deep learning using smaller amounts of labeled data, and our experts can help to choose and implement the best models, enabling more companies to tap into this powerful technology,” said Handol Kim, Sr. Director, Quadrant Machine Learning at D-Wave.
“Quadrant has the potential to unlock insights hidden within data and accelerate innovation for everything from banking and quantitative finance, to medical imaging, genomics, and drug discovery.” said Bill Macready, Senior VP of Machine Learning at D-Wave.
Designed to be used with D-Wave’s quantum technology, Quadrant solutions run today on standard GPU-based systems, allowing businesses to leverage generative machine learning immediately. D-Wave plans to integrate the Quadrant solutions in hybrid quantum/classical platforms for use with its next generation quantum system, which is currently in development with prototypes being tested.
