October 23rd, 2026 Olivia Lanes: QUANTUM COMPUTERS

on October 23rd Olivia Lanes of IBM Quantum will talk about quantum computers. She will address the following question: What makes quantum computing different from classical computing—and how can the two work together? She will explore their distinct computational strengths and how quantum processors fit into modern computing workflows. She will discuss recent advances in demonstrations of quantum advantage, what it takes to demonstrate an advantage over classical methods, and progress toward fault-tolerant quantum computing, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.

Olivia Lanes is the Global Lead for Quantum Education and Learning at IBM Quantum, where she drives strategy, content development, and advocacy to empower researchers and students worldwide. She oversees all scalable learning initiatives—from interactive tutorials and technical courses to video series and community workshops—and leads a cross-functional team of educators, instructional designers, content producers, and subject-matter experts. Under her leadership, IBM’s quantum learning offerings have reached hundreds of thousands of learners and fueled adoption of the IBM Quantum platform across academia and industry.

A physicist by training, Olivia combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for clear, engaging communication. She co-hosts and oversees the Qiskit YouTube channel—now at over 170,000 subscribers—where she demystifies complex quantum concepts through hands-on coding demonstrations and real-world examples. Prior to her current role, she developed and launched flagship quantum computing curricula for university partnerships, mentored early-career scientists, and spoke at conferences around the globe on best practices in science education and advocacy.

Outside of IBM, Olivia is committed to fostering the next generation of scientific thinkers. She volunteers as a mentor in STEM outreach programs, writes articles on quantum literacy for industry publications, and has guest-lectured at leading universities. Olivia completed her B.S. in physics and astronomy at Dickinson college and her PhD in quantum physics at the University of Pittsburgh.