Dr. Thilanka Munasinghe showcased advances in quantum machine learning while putting RPI student innovation into action at one of the world’s leading computing conferences.
The Lally School of Management was represented on the international stage at the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (ACM SIGGRAPH) 2026 conference in Los Angeles, California, a leading global gathering focused on computer graphics, interactive technologies, and emerging areas of computing. Dr. Thilanka Munasinghe delivered an invited talk and technical presentation during the Frontiers Workshop, Quantum Machine Learning: Bridging Quantum Computing & Machine Learning. The session brought together researchers and practitioners to explore the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence and its potential to shape the future of data-driven innovation.
Drawing on RPI’s 127-qubit IBM Quantum System One, Munasinghe discussed the potential of applied quantum computing and quantum machine learning (QML). His presentation explored how hybrid classical-quantum models could advance complex data analytics, optimization, and artificial intelligence applications across industries and disciplines.
Fellow invited speaker Dr. James Hendler, Tetherless World Constellation Chair and Professor at RPI, contributed a recorded presentation exploring the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence and highlighting future research directions.
Following his presentation, Dr. Munasinghe joined a live panel discussion with Dr. Jennifer Wei, Chief of AI and Data Science in NASA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Dr. Wei Zhang of Augusta University. The panel explored key frontiers in quantum machine learning (QML), including scaling algorithms for real-world datasets, algorithm design, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, research organizations, and industry.
Putting Student Innovation on the Conference Stage
Munasinghe’s presentation also provided an opportunity to showcase student entrepreneurship from RPI through the first major conference-stage use of Mousely, a student-developed technology that turns a smartphone into a trackpad and presentation remote.
With the tagline “Turn every presentation into a conversation,” Mousely enables presenters to run slides and control their computers from anywhere in the room. Munasinghe used Mousely as his presentation guide throughout his invited talk, providing the student team with an opportunity to demonstrate its technology in a live, large-scale conference environment.
Mousely was developed by a multidisciplinary RPI student team that brings together expertise in management, artificial intelligence, computing, engineering, and electronic arts:
- Kaden Tennent — MBA, AI & Advanced Computing; B.S. Electronic Arts, Video ’25
- Jason Zhang — B.S. Computer Science and Electronic Arts dual major
- Joey Richards — MBA, AI & Advanced Computing ’26; B.S. Mechanical Engineering ’25
The team is advised by Dr. Erica Yu, Assistant Professor of Finance and Digital Transformation at the Lally School of Management. Tennent and Richards also attended the SIGGRAPH session, seeing Mousely put into action during Munasinghe’s presentation.
The milestone reflects the interdisciplinary nature of entrepreneurship at RPI, bringing together students and faculty from different academic backgrounds to move an idea from development to real-world application. Mousely is currently available in Early Access at mouse.ly, allowing users to experience the technology as the team continues its development.
Advancing Quantum Machine Learning
The research outline presented during the workshop is also represented in the ACM Digital Library through the published proceedings, Quantum Machine Learning: Bridging Quantum Computing & Machine Learning.
By bringing together quantum computing, artificial intelligence, faculty expertise, and student entrepreneurship, RPI’s presence at SIGGRAPH 2026 demonstrated how emerging research and student-developed technologies can move beyond the classroom and into real-world environments.
Written by Emilee Saunders, saunde2@rpi.edu
