Dr. Shai Machnes is a physicist, specializing in algorithmic optimization and control of quantum system. His long-term goal is to create an AI physicist – giving computers the tools to analyze and control complex physical systems.

Working at Saarland University, Germany, he is currently leading the software side of the EU’s OpenSuperQ research project – an effort to build a 100-qubit superconducting quantum computer, far surpassing the capabilities of the world’s fastest supercomputer.

Born in Israel, Shai served for 5 years in the Israeli navy as a computer programmer. After spending a few years in the internet startup world, he got his Ph.D. in physics from Tel-Aviv University. Since then he has been busy trying to teach computers how to do his job for him.