IBM plans to develop a practical quantum computer by 2029 and aims for larger systems by 2033.

The company unveiled its roadmap, which includes building the “Starling” quantum computer at its data center in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Starling is expected to feature 200 logical qubits, offering potential advantages over classical computers.

IBM has developed a new error-correction algorithm that reduces the number of qubits needed, improving efficiency.

The company shifted its approach in 2019, focusing on practical chip designs that support error-correction.

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🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Quantum computing’s evolution from qubit quantity to quality signals industry maturation

IBM’s roadmap reveals a fundamental shift in quantum strategy that reflects the industry’s technical maturation.

From 2016 to 2023, IBM focused primarily on increasing raw qubit counts, moving from early public access systems to the 1,000+ qubit Condor processor introduced in December 2023 1.

The new emphasis on error correction rather than just qubit quantity represents a crucial transition from theoretical milestones to engineering challenges, with IBM’s Starling aiming for just 200 logical (error-corrected) qubits instead of thousands of unreliable physical qubits 2.

This development mirrors classical computing’s progression, where early advancements emphasized increasing transistor counts before shifting to architectural improvements and specialized optimizations.

IBM’s approach has evolved from building systems to match theoretical error-correction methods to the reverse: developing error-correction algorithms optimized for practically buildable chips 3.

The 2029 timeline for practical quantum advantage indicates that despite significant investment and progress, the technology remains years away from commercial applications, reflecting the complexity of the underlying engineering challenges.

2️⃣ Novel error correction emerges as the central battleground in quantum race

Error correction has become the defining challenge in quantum computing, with IBM’s novel approach potentially reducing the resource requirements that have stalled practical applications.

Traditional quantum error correction using surface codes requires approximately 1,000 physical qubits to create a single logical qubit, making large-scale systems impractical with current technology 4.

IBM’s new “bicycle architecture” using low-density parity-check codes promises significantly improved efficiency, potentially requiring far fewer physical qubits per logical qubit 2.

This architectural shift represents a crucial technical turning point, as error correction efficiency—not just raw qubit count—now determines which companies can scale to practical quantum computers first.

IBM’s modular approach to building Starling also indicates that quantum computing is following a path similar to classical supercomputing, with interconnected modules rather than monolithic systems 4.

3️⃣ Quantum computing’s competitive landscape shifts from scientific claims to engineering execution

The quantum computing industry is transitioning from theoretical demonstrations to practical engineering challenges, changing how companies compete and position themselves.

In 2019, Google and IBM publicly disputed quantum supremacy claims, focusing on theoretical benchmarks rather than practical applications 5.

By 2025, the competitive landscape has shifted toward concrete engineering roadmaps with specific timelines for practical quantum computers, as seen in the detailed plans from IBM, Google, and Microsoft 6.

This shift has brought quantum computing into alignment with traditional business metrics like time-to-market and practical applications rather than purely scientific achievements.

Major tech companies are now competing along multiple dimensions beyond just qubit counts, including error rates, gate fidelities, and software ecosystems, creating a more nuanced competitive landscape 1.

IBM’s Poughkeepsie, NY facility’s dual role in both classical and quantum computing demonstrates how quantum technology is being integrated into existing computing infrastructure and business models rather than developing in isolation 3.

Recent IBM developments

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