ByJennifer Friesen
February 21, 2025
Photo by Planet Volumes on Unsplash
If the term “quantum computing” makes you think of sci-fi movies or expensive lab experiments, you’re not alone. But in reality, quantum technology is moving fast — and most industries aren’t ready.
That’s a problem, say Katanya Kuntz and A.J. Sikora, co-founders of Qubo Consulting Corp. Since their launch in 2023, the duo has been working to close the gap between quantum scientists and the business world, making the case that quantum literacy is no longer optional.
“The first movers are going to gain the majority of the opportunity,” says Sikora. “The people who sit on their hands and wait until a quantum computer breaks RSA encryption before they start investigating are going to struggle to get access to talent and technology.”
To get ahead of the curve, Qubo has partnered with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to launch two new certificate programs to make quantum more accessible to professionals across Canada.
What is quantum computing, and why does it matter?
Before diving into why quantum literacy is so urgent, let’s clear up one thing: what exactly is quantum computing?
For decades, computers have run on classical bits, which can be either zero or one — like flipping a light switch on or off. Quantum computers, on the other hand, use qubits, which can exist in both zero and one at the same time thanks to a principle called superposition. This allows quantum computers to process multiple possibilities simultaneously, instead of one at a time.
Then there’s entanglement, another uniquely quantum phenomenon that allows qubits to become linked, meaning a change to one qubit instantly affects another, no matter how far apart they are.
The result? Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems that would take today’s supercomputers millions of years to crack. This could revolutionize industries like drug discovery, finance, logistics, and cybersecurity.
“When I understood the magnitude of the paradigm shift that we’re going to see when quantum computers come online, I knew that everybody needed to know about this,” says Sikora. “I’m a pretty tech savvy guy — I have the latest iPhone — but I had never heard of this … and I don’t think your average businessman knows about this either. But I understood the potential impact on security and national sovereignty, so Katanya and I decided, ‘Let’s make an impact in this space.’”
Meet the experts making quantum accessible
Qubo’s mission is to make quantum computing, and other quantum technologies, understandable and actionable for business leaders, engineers, and policymakers.
Kuntz, a quantum physicist, has spent years explaining complex concepts to everyone from CEOs to grade-school students.
“Being a quantum scientist, I’ve had to go to a dinner party, and everyone’s going around the room saying what their career is — I drop ‘quantum physicist’ and half the people leave the room,” she jokes. “So I’ve had to be able to communicate what I do to a broad range of audiences, just in my own everyday life.”
Katanya Kuntz. Photo courtesy of the Wave Tech Centre
She also works on Canada’s first quantum communication satellite mission (QEYSSat) and has given outreach talks explaining quantum principles to fourth graders. And if she can make a bunch of kids excited about photons in space, why not help an executive understand how quantum computing affects their business?
Sikora, meanwhile, comes from an education and business background. His experience in training and curriculum design means Qubo’s programs are structured to actually teach people what they need to know.
“Katanya and I really have complementary skills, and it shows in some of these projects,” says Sikora. “There are a ton of quantum experts that can talk about quantum, but it’s how they explain quantum. It’s like, A) Is it applicable to me? And B) Can I understand it, even if it is?”
NAIT steps in with executive and engineering training
NAIT, a polytechnic focused on applied learning, is offering one of Canada’s first continuing education programs in quantum training for professionals.
The courses are offered through Continuing Education and Corporate Training, which allows NAIT to respond quickly to industry needs with non-credit programs designed for upskilling and reskilling.
“We want to stay in the forefront,” says Surinder Padem, program manager for digital literacy and IT training at NAIT. “And in continuing education, we can move quickly to bring programs in front of students as industry needs change.”
The two certificate programs — Quantum for Executives and Quantum for Engineers — are designed for different levels of technical experience.Quantum for Executives is a four-part series of one-hour “lunch and learn” sessions designed for business leaders who need a clear, non-technical introduction to quantum. It covers industry applications, cybersecurity risks, and why quantum is a game-changer across sectors.
Quantum for Engineers is a deeper dive, offering four two-hour sessions for technical professionals looking to understand quantum computing, sensing, secure communication, and data security. No prior quantum experience required.
Both programs are delivered live online, making them accessible across Canada. The first round kicks off on February 27, with additional sessions scheduled through the spring.
According to Sikora, the programs are ideal for tech professionals looking to specialize, such as software engineers, data scientists or analysts and hardware engineers. They’re also a fit for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and tech leaders looking for insights into how quantum will shape the industry. The courses also cater to government and policymakers making decisions around cybersecurity and national security.
But ultimately, Sikora notes, “anybody with a strong interest in emerging technologies” can benefit — whether they’re in the field or simply fascinated by what’s coming next.
A.J. Sikora. Photo courtesy of the Wave Tech Centre
Don’t wait for quantum to disrupt your industry
Kuntz and Sikora say they designed the courses to be practical, engaging, and directly relevant to Canadian industries.
“Every time we have a conversation with someone, nine times out of 10, unless they’re a quantum physicist, I have to explain: what is quantum?” says Kuntz. “So that’s what these NAIT courses are doing. They’re starting that conversation.”
The urgency isn’t just theoretical. Earlier this year, Canadian quantum computing company Xanadu introduced Aurora, a modular photonic quantum computer designed for large-scale scalability. The company has long-term ambitions to develop fault-tolerant quantum computing, with earlier reports indicating a goal of reaching one million qubits by the end of the decade. While no updated qubit target has been confirmed, if that timeline holds, the shift to quantum could be closer than many expect.
“Do you see how the computer changed everything back in the 60s and the 70s?” asks Kuntz. “That’s the type of technology change that we’re talking about.”
Sikora warns that businesses slow to adopt quantum literacy could find themselves playing catch-up — especially when it comes to security.
“With computing power comes the risk that a quantum computer could come online that could break current encryption standards that we use,” he says. “So there are a couple of solutions available, and it’s important for businesses to understand what those threats and solutions are.”
With the United Nations declaring 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the momentum behind quantum is only growing.
And with the launch of NAIT’s new programs, Canadian professionals have a chance to get ahead of the curve before it’s too late.
For more information, visit here.
She also works on Canada’s first quantum communication satellite mission (QEYSSat) and has given outreach talks explaining quantum principles to fourth graders. And if she can make a bunch of kids excited about photons in space, why not help an executive understand how quantum computing affects their business?
Sikora, meanwhile, comes from an education and business background. His experience in training and curriculum design means Qubo’s programs are structured to actually teach people what they need to know.
“Katanya and I really have complementary skills, and it shows in some of these projects,” says Sikora. “There are a ton of quantum experts that can talk about quantum, but it’s how they explain quantum. It’s like, A) Is it applicable to me? And B) Can I understand it, even if it is?”
NAIT steps in with executive and engineering training
NAIT, a polytechnic focused on applied learning, is offering one of Canada’s first continuing education programs in quantum training for professionals.
The courses are offered through Continuing Education and Corporate Training, which allows NAIT to respond quickly to industry needs with non-credit programs designed for upskilling and reskilling.
“We want to stay in the forefront,” says Surinder Padem, program manager for digital literacy and IT training at NAIT. “And in continuing education, we can move quickly to bring programs in front of students as industry needs change.”
The two certificate programs — Quantum for Executives and Quantum for Engineers — are designed for different levels of technical experience.Quantum for Executives is a four-part series of one-hour “lunch and learn” sessions designed for business leaders who need a clear, non-technical introduction to quantum. It covers industry applications, cybersecurity risks, and why quantum is a game-changer across sectors.
Quantum for Engineers is a deeper dive, offering four two-hour sessions for technical professionals looking to understand quantum computing, sensing, secure communication, and data security. No prior quantum experience required.
Both programs are delivered live online, making them accessible across Canada. The first round kicks off on February 27, with additional sessions scheduled through the spring.
According to Sikora, the programs are ideal for tech professionals looking to specialize, such as software engineers, data scientists or analysts and hardware engineers. They’re also a fit for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and tech leaders looking for insights into how quantum will shape the industry. The courses also cater to government and policymakers making decisions around cybersecurity and national security.
But ultimately, Sikora notes, “anybody with a strong interest in emerging technologies” can benefit — whether they’re in the field or simply fascinated by what’s coming next.
A.J. Sikora. Photo courtesy of the Wave Tech CentreDon’t wait for quantum to disrupt your industry
Kuntz and Sikora say they designed the courses to be practical, engaging, and directly relevant to Canadian industries.
“Every time we have a conversation with someone, nine times out of 10, unless they’re a quantum physicist, I have to explain: what is quantum?” says Kuntz. “So that’s what these NAIT courses are doing. They’re starting that conversation.”
The urgency isn’t just theoretical. Earlier this year, Canadian quantum computing company Xanadu introduced Aurora, a modular photonic quantum computer designed for large-scale scalability. The company has long-term ambitions to develop fault-tolerant quantum computing, with earlier reports indicating a goal of reaching one million qubits by the end of the decade. While no updated qubit target has been confirmed, if that timeline holds, the shift to quantum could be closer than many expect.
“Do you see how the computer changed everything back in the 60s and the 70s?” asks Kuntz. “That’s the type of technology change that we’re talking about.”
Sikora warns that businesses slow to adopt quantum literacy could find themselves playing catch-up — especially when it comes to security.
“With computing power comes the risk that a quantum computer could come online that could break current encryption standards that we use,” he says. “So there are a couple of solutions available, and it’s important for businesses to understand what those threats and solutions are.”
With the United Nations declaring 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the momentum behind quantum is only growing.
And with the launch of NAIT’s new programs, Canadian professionals have a chance to get ahead of the curve before it’s too late.
For more information, visit here.
Written ByJennifer Friesen
Jennifer Friesen is Digital Journal's associate editor and content manager based in Calgary.
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