Weather & Science

BMO Turns to AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Earthquakes

A Bank of Montreal branch in Montreal.

Photographer: Neal Rockwell/Bloomberg

Bank of Montreal is betting on artificial intelligence and quantum computing to help predict earthquakes and respond to wildfires as part of the Canadian bank’s expansion in the US.

Kristin Milchanowski, the company’s chief AI and quantum officer, said she has created and received a provisional patent for a quantum algorithm that will eventually help BMO and other scientists predict earthquakes. The bank is also using AI to help it mobilize mobile banking units to communities impacted by wildfires like the ones Los Angeles experienced last year.