Apr. 24, 2026Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter, the “MOU”) with Multiverse Computing SL (hereinafter, “Multiverse”), a Spain-based leader in quantum and AI optimization, to conduct a market study (hereinafter, the “Study”) for the rollout of “CompactifAI” (hereinafter, the “Technology”), an AI model compression solution utilizing quantum-inspired technology1, in Japan. Marubeni aims to complete the Study during FY2026.
Features of the Project and TechnologyGenerally, in the lightweighting of AI models, there is a challenge where higher compression rates tend to cause a degradation in accuracy. In contrast, Multiverse, a quantum AI company highly acclaimed in the global market2, leveraged tensor networks3 as a quantum-inspired approach to establish a technology4 that can compress model sizes by up to approximately 90% while limiting AI accuracy degradation to around 2–3%, making it possible to operate large-scale AI models with fewer computational resources. Compression using the Technology is expected to significantly reduce cloud capacity usage and power consumption, substantially improve processing speeds, and make it easier to implement AI—which has traditionally required high-performance computing infrastructure—in edge computing environments such as in-vehicle devices, as well as secure on-premise (in-house) environments that meet strict security requirements, enabling flexible applications tailored to industrial uses.
Background and SignificanceIn recent years, as the use of generative AI has rapidly expanded, Japan is facing challenges in promoting digital transformation (DX) including:
The Technology aims to contribute to solving these issues by optimizing AI computational resources. Through the deployment of the Technology in Japan, Marubeni will support Japanese companies in reducing AI operational costs, realizing low-environmental-impact “Green AI,” and implementing advanced AI that makes it easier to secure data and operational management in-house and domestically (sovereign AI).
Future OutlookMarubeni is promoting business creation with an eye toward the industrial application of quantum-related technologies, centered on quantum computing. After verifying the needs for the Technology in Japan through the Study, Marubeni aims for its full-scale rollout in partnership with Multiverse, contributing to the development of Japanese industry and the construction of sustainable social infrastructure.
1Technology that draws inspiration from quantum computer algorithms and mathematical structures, implementing these concepts on conventional computers. It aims to achieve high-speed and high-accuracy combinatorial optimization and machine learning without using quantum hardware.2Selected for the “AI 100” by U.S.-based CB Insights, which recognizes 100 promising AI startups globally, and awarded the “Future Unicorn Award” given to Europe’s next-generation unicorn companies.3A mathematical method derived from quantum mechanics that efficiently processes complex, high-dimensional data as a combination of small matrices. In the Technology, this is applied to the compression of AI data structures (weight matrices).4Paper on technical verification results by Multiverse: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2401.14109
Multiverse Overview
