Researchers and industry leaders will come together at RPI to explore the intersection of quantum computing, AI, and real-world decision-making.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lally School of Management will host the WITS Feeder Workshop on Quantum Machine Learning on August 15, 2026, bringing together researchers and industry experts to examine the growing intersection of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and real-world decision-making.
Held at the Bruggeman Conference Center in RPI’s Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, the one-day workshop will explore how advances in quantum hardware, algorithms, error mitigation, and hybrid quantum-classical approaches are creating new opportunities across business, science, and government.
Rather than approaching quantum computing solely as a technical challenge, the workshop will connect emerging research with practical applications and their broader business, managerial, economic, and societal implications.
Exploring the Future of Quantum Computing
Throughout the day, speakers from academia and industry will examine developments in quantum machine learning and their potential applications across a variety of fields.
Topics will include:
- Quantum Machine Learning: Emerging approaches that combine quantum computing and machine learning, including quantum kernels and hybrid methods.
- Optimization and Finance: Applications of quantum computing to complex optimization and classification problems in areas such as financial markets and retail trading.
- From Algorithms to Applications: The challenges and opportunities involved in moving quantum computing from theoretical performance to practical use.
- Industrial and Scientific Applications: Quantum methods in healthcare, computational physics, simulation, and other mission-critical areas.
- Reliable Quantum Computing: Advances in error mitigation and verified computing designed to extend the capabilities of today's quantum systems.
- Business and Government: How organizations should approach investment, readiness, research priorities, and the broader implications of quantum computing.
Workshop Agenda
August 15, 2026
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Bruggeman Conference Center, CBIS
- 8:45–8:55 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Liad Wagman, Dean, Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- 9:00–10:00 a.m. | Academic Research
- Quantum Approaches to Hide Sensitive Itemsets: Domain-Inspired Warm Start
- Abhijeet Ghoshal, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Beyond Subpenny Rules: Quantum Machine Learning for Retail Buy–Sell Classification
- Thilanka Munasinghe, Yihe Yu, and Nishtha Langer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Quantum Approaches to Hide Sensitive Itemsets: Domain-Inspired Warm Start
- 10:00–10:15 a.m. | Coffee Break
- 10:15–11:15 a.m. | Industry Perspectives
- Landscape of Financial Optimization: How Do We Make Use of Current Quantum Computers?
- Atithi Acharya, JPMorganChase
- Quantum Roadmap to Real-World Applications and Opportunities
- Soyoung Shin, IBM
- Landscape of Financial Optimization: How Do We Make Use of Current Quantum Computers?
- 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Keynote
- Advances in Quantum Computing: The Advent of Verified Computing
- James Misewich, Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Advances in Quantum Computing: The Advent of Verified Computing
- 12:15–1:30 p.m. | Lunch
Quantum Computing in Action
- 1:30–2:00 p.m. | Industrial Demo
- Enhanced Prediction of CAR T-Cell Cytotoxicity with Quantum-Kernel Methods
- Soyoung Shin, IBM
- Enhanced Prediction of CAR T-Cell Cytotoxicity with Quantum-Kernel Methods
- 2:00–2:30 p.m. | Industrial Demo
- Mission-Critical Industrial Applications of Quantum Machine Learning and Optimization
- Abhishek Chopra, BQP
- Mission-Critical Industrial Applications of Quantum Machine Learning and Optimization
- 2:30–3:00 p.m. | Industrial Demo
- Quantum Applications and Simulations Beyond Classical Limits with QEDMA's Error Mitigation Software
- Tasneem Watad, QEDMA
- Quantum Applications and Simulations Beyond Classical Limits with QEDMA's Error Mitigation Software
- 3:00–3:15 p.m. | Coffee Break
Featured Panel: Understanding Quantum Computing and Its Implications for Businesses and Government
- 3:15–4:15 p.m.
As quantum computing moves closer to practical relevance, businesses and governments face increasingly important questions: Where can quantum computing create meaningful value? When should organizations begin investing in quantum capabilities? What role should government play in developing the quantum ecosystem? And what should researchers be studying now to better understand its organizational, economic, and societal implications?
The workshop's featured panel will bring together perspectives from government, financial services, computer science and AI, and information systems to examine these questions.
Moderator:
Nishtha Langer, Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Panelists:
- Jennifer C. Wei, NASA
- Raymond Putra, JPMorganChase
- Balakrishnan Prabhakaran, University at Albany, SUNY
- Ram D. Gopal, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Closing Remarks
- 4:15–4:30 p.m.
- Ram D. Gopal, Warwick Business School
Bringing Research and Practice Together
The workshop brings expertise from RPI together with researchers and practitioners representing organizations including NASA, IBM, JPMorganChase, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University at Albany, Warwick Business School, BQP, and QEDMA.
Through academic research presentations, industry perspectives, demonstrations, a keynote, and the featured panel discussion, the event will provide participants with multiple perspectives on where quantum computing stands today and what its continued development could mean for organizations and society.
Contacts: Dr. Nistha Langer and Dr. Thilanka Munasinghe
