IBM has ambitions to lead the way in quantum computing, with a new government partnership on the way to make this a reality. Japanese news outlet Nikkei reports on a leaked joint effort between IBM and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) that aims to produce a quantum computer with 10,000 qubits by 2029, far surpassing today’s leading 133-qubit machines exceeds.
Quantum computing has been a major focus of IBM for a few years, and this latest step forward is notable. The 10,000-qubit machine is exploding beyond IBM’s current quantum roadmap, which doesn’t even reach 2,000 qubits in commercial products until 2033 and beyond. (IBM had previously planned a 2025 release of a 1,000-qubit computer, Condor, but the prototype has been shelved.) The goal of the 10,000-qubit machine is to perform quantum computations without a traditional supercomputer as a backup up, like modern 133-qubit computers. machines make mistakes often enough to require support for computers to check their work.
According to Nikkei’s source, IBM and AIST will announce the deal with a signed memorandum “in the coming days.” The partnership has already set out a number of key objectives. IBM and AIST will attempt to develop semiconductors and circuits that function at temperatures near absolute zero. Quantum computers operate more efficiently and correctly as they get closer to zero Kelvin, and today’s largest machines must have their qubits and chips/circuitry in separate chambers or chambers, so creating components that function at extreme temperatures is a necessary step for advancing of quantum research.
AIST will use its patents, AI knowledge base and connections with Japanese parts makers in the production of the upcoming supercomputer. AIST will also ensure that future quantum supercomputers get into the hands of Japanese companies and industries, by providing training to companies and lobbying for quantum adoption by Japanese companies. This access to the lifeblood of Japanese industry is reportedly why IBM closed the deal, the company’s largest deal with a government industry in quantum technology.
It is important to note that, as with any other part of the computer, one great number does not make a great machine. Qubit quality and efficiency are increasing rapidly. Therefore, IBM has shelved recent attempts to create 1,000-qubit computers in favor of their 133-qubit machines, which beat the 1,000-qubit prototypes in quality and efficiency. And just as traditional CPUs use hyper-threading and caching for better performance, quantum computing has other methods that improve performance beyond simply increasing qubit numbers forever. After all, quantum computers become less stable at higher qubit numbers, so the future of quantum will depend on smart engineering to keep the computers of the future of 10,000 qubits and more stable and cheap.
The collaboration between IBM and AIST could prove to have a serious impact on the growth and adoption of quantum computing. But today’s quantum is still in its infancy and has a long way to go before it becomes useful to consumers or professionals. IBM’s 2021 quantum processor was recently surpassed by a team of researchers and a Commodore 64, proving that IBM and the industry still have a long road ahead of them to reach the point of true quantum utility.
