IBM, known for its pioneering work in quantum computing, is setting its sights on an audacious goal: building a 100,000-qubit quantum machine over the next decade. This ambitious plan was unveiled at the G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. IBM will collaborate with the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago on this groundbreaking $100 million project.
The envisioned 100,000-qubit quantum system represents a monumental leap in quantum computing. IBM believes that this system, when realized, will bring together the capabilities of the best classical supercomputers to facilitate groundbreaking discoveries in various fields, including pharmacology, fertilizer production, battery performance, and more.
Quantum computers leverage the unique properties of quantum physics to store data and perform computational tasks that were previously inconceivable. While classical computers use a binary system of zeros and ones to encode information, quantum computers employ quantum bits, or qubits, as their fundamental unit of memory.
However, quantum computing has faced challenges, primarily related to “noise” or interference that disrupts the delicate quantum states. More qubits, it is believed, will help overcome these issues.
IBM is not the sole contender in the quest for powerful quantum systems with higher qubit counts. Google aims to reach a million qubits by the end of this decade, while PsiQuantum in Palo Alto has similar aspirations. Maryland-based IonQ is targeting a system with 1,024 “logical qubits” by 2028, each composed of a 13-physical-qubit error-correcting circuit.
IBM’s own roadmap currently limits its quantum computers to scale up to 5,000 qubits. Achieving higher qubit counts demands new technology, and collaboration with universities like the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago will be pivotal. Google has also recognized the importance of this collaboration, pledging $50 million to fund quantum computing research at these institutions.
To make its quantum systems accessible to academic researchers, IBM has been working diligently in recent years. The company’s quantum processors are available via the cloud through user-friendly interfaces designed to require minimal knowledge of quantum computing intricacies. This accessibility has led to the publication of around 2,000 research articles detailing experiments conducted with IBM’s quantum devices.
IBM’s ambitious journey towards a 100,000-qubit quantum computer promises to revolutionize computing capabilities and usher in a new era of scientific discovery and innovation.