United States: The First Commercial Quantum Computer May Soon Be Here
IBM unveiled technical advancements on Tuesday that could lead to the development of the first commercial quantum computer by 2029, a machine with unprecedented computing power that can be utilized for practical applications.
The American tech giant released two research papers detailing the methods employed to tackle the primary challenge in quantum computing: errors.
IBM is Making Rapid Progress
Indeed, while quantum computers already exist, their computing capacity remains inadequate, and they still produce an error rate that does not provide the necessary conditions for reliable use.
A commercial quantum computer, deemed a computing revolution, will allow for accelerated calculations that are beyond the reach of conventional computers.
To develop this technology, IBM relies on specially designed error-correcting codes (LDPC). They have also discovered effective methods to detect errors and modify program instructions in real-time.
"We believe we have addressed all the necessary scientific questions, and now we are focusing on how to assemble all these elements," explained Jay Gambetta, IBM's Vice President of Quantum Computing, to AFP.
The century-old company is now aiming to achieve its first quantum processor capable of both storing information and performing logic operations by 2026, which is presented as the fundamental building block of the future quantum computer.
Beyond that, it aims to finalize the first commercial quantum computer, named Starling, in 2029, at its lab in Poughkeepsie, in the northeastern United States.
According to the company, it will possess computing power 20,000 times greater than that of currently available quantum computers.
Starling will be able to "solve real-world problems and open up vast possibilities for businesses," said Arvind Krishna, IBM's CEO, in a statement.
Endless Application Possibilities
Among the potential applications of the commercial quantum computer are the development of new materials, fuels, or medical treatments.
"We will be able to model nature at its fundamental state, invent a new form of mathematics, simulate how molecules interact during chemical reactions, or test financial or logistical solutions that are too complex for a classical computer," enthusiastically stated Jay Gambetta.
Quantum computing is also expected to propel artificial intelligence (AI) towards models that are more aligned with human understanding.
Mark Horvath, an analyst at Gartner, praised it as "a significant advancement," but noted that not all obstacles have been overcome and that the applications of quantum systems in the real world remain "quite theoretical."
The stakes are substantial and there is fierce competition among major players in the computing industry.
Ready, Set, Go
Google unveiled a new quantum chip named Willow in December, which features a much lower error rate than those typically observed so far.
In February, Google’s lead, Hartmut Neven, estimated that it would take five years for the Mountain View (California) company to complete its own quantum computer.
A few days later, Microsoft mentioned a timeline of a few years, "not decades," boasting about its new chip, called Majorana 1, which utilizes a new state of matter that is neither solid, gas, nor liquid.
However, several experts have since questioned Microsoft’s claims regarding the state of its work.
IBM publicly committed at the end of April to invest $150 billion in the United States over five years, including $30 billion for research and development, which encompasses quantum computing.
The veteran American tech company claims to have already generated over a billion dollars in revenue from quantum computing, even though current use cases are limited.
Beyond 2029, IBM is already looking forward to Bluejay, expected in 2033, which will be ten times more powerful than Starling.
According to Jerry Chow, director of quantum systems at IBM, "we are redefining what computing will be in the future."