Quantum Code Challenge

All Hackathon activities, including mentoring sessions and the final presentation of projects will be held online. For the challenge the qBraid platform will be used.

Each participant will be provided with a personal account to access and carry out all activities. Credentials will be provided to work remotely and solve coding challenges using qBraid, which will be available and active from 10:00 AM CET DST on October 22 until the deadline for submitting solutions, at 3:00 PM CET DST on October 25.

qBraid is the leading platform for the development of Quantum Computing projects, offering development tools, simulation and access to quantum computing resources. After signing up for the event, instructions will be provided to create or use an existing personal account to access all qBraid functionalities.

In addition, two digital collaboration tools, Discord and Zoom , will be made available to interact with organisers and/or mentors.

Discord will be the official communication platform for the entire event. Within it, you will be able to interact with other participants, form teams, ask questions and receive real-time updates.

Zoom will be used for plenary sessions, project presentations and opening and closing events. Links to the sessions will be sent via e-mail and through the official Discord channel.

Throughout the Hackathon, participants will be able to interact continuously with mentors: experts in the field of Quantum Computing will provide all kinds of assistance, answer any questions and offer useful tips for improving projects.

The Hackathon is organised in Italian and English: the tools and platforms used will be managed in two languages. Pitches (for the Wizard challenge) may be presented alternatively in Italian or English.

A basic knowledge of English will guarantee the possibility to follow all the phases of the event (workshop, online meetings, interaction with participants and mentors, final part).

 

Registration modalities:

It is possible to  sign up as an individual or as a team. Teams may consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of four people. Participation as a team is not compulsory: registered participants can also compete individually.

Those who register individually can still look for other members to form their team by logging onto the Discord platform before October 22. In this way, you will have the opportunity to request support in getting to know other participants with whom you can form a team and collaborate through networking sessions before the start of the Hackathon.

Once the regular registration for the Hackathon has taken place, all study materials that can be consulted to prepare for the challenge will be provided. The documentation provided includes the tutorial on qBraid, introductory guides to Quantum Computing, and some additional resources to deepen your knowledge of the subject matter of the challenge and work on the project straight away.

What are the requirements to participate in the Hackathon?

Participants must meet specific requirements to take part in the hackathon, differentiated according to the challenge they will select.

Specifically:

• the ‘ SMART CITY QC APPRENTICE ’ challenge is aimed at beginner participants who must have an elementary level of knowledge of Python and is designed for those approaching the world of Quantum Computing for the first time. The challenge is available to both novices and experts in Quantum Computing. Participants will receive easy-to-access training resources about the algorithms used in the challenge quizzes.
• The ‘ SMART CITY QC WIZARD ’ challenge is addressed to experienced participants who have already acquired practical skills on Quantum Machine Learning, who must have attended the semester course on Quantum Computing or hold certifications issued by international organisers of online certifications (IBM Global Quantum Program , Qworld, Womanium Quantum, MIT xpro, edX etc.) or by Summer School on Quantum Computing.

Registration is open to the following categories of participants: students and researchers in academia and universities, programmers and developers, and enthusiasts about Quantum Computing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the event entirely remote? 

Yes, the event will be held entirely online. You can participate from any location with a stable internet connection. All activities, including mentorship and pitch presentations, will be conducted online.

What language will the event be held in? 

The Hackathon is held in both Italian and English: the tools and platforms used will be available in both languages. The pitches (for the Wizard challenge) can be either in Italian or English.A basic knowledge of English will enable you to fully engage in all stages of the event (workshops, online meetings, interactions with participants and mentors, and final stage).

Which resources and tools will be available? 

You will get access to a number of materials and tools to help you create your quantum computing project:

- qBraid: the main platform for developing quantum computing projects, offering development tools, simulations, and access to quantum computing resources. Only after registration will you receive the link to create your personal qBraid account and explore the platform's features.

- Discord: the official networking platform for the event. You may communicate with other participants, create teams, ask questions, and get real-time updates from the organisers.

- Zoom: the plenary sessions, project presentations, and opening and closing ceremonies will be conducted on Zoom. You will receive session links via email and through the official Discord channel.

- Mentoring and assistance: throughout the event, you can reach out with mentors who will be available to provide support, answer questions, and offer helpful ideas on how to enhance your project.

- Preliminary documentation: you will receive reference materials to assist you prepare for the challenge. This documentation will include qBraid tutorials, introductory guides to quantum computing, and extra resources to help you learn more.

What is qBraid and how can I use it? 

qBraid is an integrated quantum computing platform that includes development tools, simulations, and access to quantum computing resources. Only after registration will you receive the link to create your personal qBraid account and explore the platform's features.

Do I have to work individually or in a team?

You can work independently or as part of a team. Teams can have a maximum of 4 members. If you prefer to work in a team but have enrolled separately, we will help you develop collaborations to work together.

How can I create a team?

If you don't have a team but want to work in one, you can connect with other participants using Discord, our official communication channel. Before the official start of the hackathon, we will also organise networking sessions to assist you interact with other participants and build a team.

What tools will be used for interaction during the event?

Throughout the event, all communications will be handled via the Discord platform. You will receive details on how to access the official communication channel after registration. On Discord, you can ask questions, get updates from the staff, and connect with your team and others.

What if I have technical problems?

If you face any technical issues during the hackathon, you can contact the technical support team through the Discord channels. We will do our best to fix any issues you may encounter promptly.

How can I get more information?

If you have any more questions or need additional information, please contact info@opencampus.it. We are here to assist and ensure that your experience is enjoyable and fruitful.

How and when should I submit my project?

Details on how to submit your project will be provided at the beginning of the hackathon. Final presentations must be uploaded by the specified deadline.