My guest today is Steve Gibson, President of Americas at JIJ, a Japan-based optimization company whose founders came from Professor Nishimori’s lab. Steve shared how JIJ spans the spectrum from classical to quantum-inspired to quantum computing, and discussed how the company is now using AI to make its optimization tools more accessible to customers who lack in-house quantum expertise. We explored the state of quantum readiness, and how organizations should start preparing now for the business and technical changes quantum will require. Steve also outlined his mission to bring JIJ’s capabilities and deep research talent from Japan to the US and European markets, provided advice for US executives doing business with Japan, and much more.

Read the full transcript or listen to the episode here.