AIMS South Africa recently hosted the 1st AIMS Workshop and School on the Theory of Quantum Learning Algorithms, a landmark event that brought together leading researchers and students from around the world to explore the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning.

Held from 26 to 31 October 2025, the workshop welcomed around 80 external participants, including:

• 16 international invited speakers,
• 12 co-organisers from Freie Universität Berlin (Germany),
• 14 students from other AIMS Centres across Africa,
• 30 students from South African universities, and
• 10 additional international participants.

Each morning featured research seminars in the main lecture hall, where experts presented their latest work in the theory of quantum learning algorithms. The afternoon “school sessions” complemented these talks with introductory lectures on the mathematical tools and theoretical methods required to conduct research in this fast-evolving field.

This dual format, combining advanced research presentations with structured learning sessions, provided participants with a rare opportunity to both engage with frontier research and build the foundational skills needed to contribute to it. The sessions were open to the broader AIMS community, fostering collaboration and dialogue among students, tutors, and visiting scientists.

Participants described the event as inspiring and transformative, praising its blend of intellectual depth, international collaboration, and accessible learning.

By hosting this inaugural workshop, AIMS South Africa has taken an important step toward strengthening Africa’s role in the global quantum computing research landscape and building a new generation of researchers at the interface of mathematics, physics, and computer science.

Visit the workshop website for more information https://aims-quantum-learning-and-testing.github.io