Latest news with #IBMQuantumStarling
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Quantum computing's achilles' heel: Tech giants are tackling an error crisis
At the turn of this year, the course became clear. First, quantum computing chips made a generational leap, albeit with Microsoft and Google taking different approaches to generating desired performance. Now, Microsoft has pushed the envelope further, having developed error-correction codes that are applicable to many types of qubits. So has IBM, signifying broad efforts towards the same result. The company insists the present generation of quantum computers, that use qubits, often run into errors, which they cannot resolve on their own. 'Reliable quantum computing requires progress across the full stack, from error correction to hardware. With new 4D codes reducing error rates 1,000x, and our co-designed quantum system with Atom Computing, we're bringing utility-scale quantum closer than ever,' says Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chairman and CEO. Atom Computing builds scalable quantum computers. A quantum computer, compared with traditional, familiar computers, pack magnitudes more computing power to be able to solve complex problems. To compute, traditional computers store information in bits (that is, 0 and 1). Quantum computing is built around qubits that do both at the same time (a bit like Shrodinger's cat). They are not designed to replace traditional computers, at least work and home uses. One could point to the 2024 movie AfrAId, and Netflix' 2023 movie Heart Of Stone, as having foretold quantum's prowess. Microsoft's four-dimensional geometric codes require fewer physical qubits for compute, can check for errors faster, and have reportedly returned a 1,000-fold reduction in error rates. There is hope for this framework of error detection and correction, that can adapt to various types of qubits, making the technology more versatile and practical for real-world applications. The significance of Microsoft's approach cannot be overstated. Traditional quantum error correction methods have struggled with a delicate balance between protecting quantum information whilst maintaining the very properties that make quantum computing powerful. They aren't the only tech giant that is tackling errors in quantum computing. IBM, this month, detailed a roadmap for the IBM Quantum Starling, which they say is the world's first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer. It is expected to be delivered by 2029, as part of IBM's new Quantum Data Center. 'Our expertise across mathematics, physics, and engineering is paving the way for a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — one that will solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business,' says said Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM. Quantum computing stands at a critical juncture. Qubits are extremely sensitive to their environment. Smallest of disturbances, ranging from electromagnetic interference to temperature fluctuations, can cause them to 'decohere'. That means, they lose their quantum properties and essentially become classical bits. At that stage, quantum computations produce errors. The challenge is both technical and mathematical. Since quantum states cannot be copied like data on a computer, quantum error correction becomes exponentially more complex. Microsoft is assessing this development with a sense of caution. 'We are in the early stages of reliable quantum computing, and the impact that this technology will have is just beginning to be realised. Practical applications will start to be revealed as researchers in various industries adopt a co-design approach to explore interactions between quantum architectures, algorithms, and applications,' explains Krysta Svore, Technical Fellow, Advanced Quantum Development at Microsoft Quantum. Earlier in the year, Microsoft's quantum computing aspirations saw significant forward movement, with the Majorana 1 chip — a first of its kind scalable chip with versatile architecture, that can potentially fit a million qubits. It currently holds 8 topological qubits. Majorana 1 sits alongside Google's Willow chip, IBM's Quantum Heron, as well as the Zuchongzhi 3.0, developed by Chinese scientists late last year. Error correction was a focus area then too. Microsoft created what is essentially a new state of matter called a topological superconductor, that is more stable and error resistant. Google too believes it has cracked the code for error correction and is building a machine that they expect will be ready by 2029. Crucial to their approach is the Willow chip, and the balance between logical qubits and physical qubits. Physical qubits are the actual quantum bits built into the hardware - the individual atoms, photons, or superconducting circuits that store quantum information. Whereas, logical qubits are error-corrected qubits created by combining multiple physical qubits together with sophisticated error correction codes. Think of them as 'virtual' qubits. Google's research points to the 'quantum error correction threshold', as the tipping point where this dynamic reverses — where logical qubits that are more reliable, outnumber physical ones. There are similarities in Google and IBM's approach regarding this balance. Central to IBM's approach is its creation of a quantum error-correcting code that they claim is about 10 times more efficient than prior methods. This efficiency gain proves crucial, at least in tests, because traditional error correction methods require hundreds or thousands of physical qubits to create a single reliable logical qubit, making large-scale quantum computers prohibitively complex. For all the potential that quantum computing may profess to, at least in delivering real-world solutions for matters including drug discovery, cybersecurity, material science and financial risk analysis, it finds itself precariously perched in this pivotal moment. Error correction capabilities are important for it to simply work as it should, and also to keep operational costs down. IBM's modular scalability, Google's systematic threshold-crossing methodology, and Microsoft's new 4D code architecture, though differing in approach, all believe they may be rushing towards a workable solution. As quantum creeps ever closer, the years that lie ahead will testify to levels of success.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
IBM Promises Enterprise-Ready Quantum Computing By 2029
IBM Quantum Starling IBM announced plans for its IBM Quantum Starling, a fault-tolerant quantum computer, that brings quantum computing a step closer in a market that has long promised revolutionary capabilities while delivering laboratory curiosities. Starling is a significant shift from experimental technology towards enterprise-ready infrastructure. The world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, expected by 2029, will finally bridge the gap between quantum potential and business reality. Today's most pressing business challenges push classical computing to its limits. Drug discovery timelines span decades, supply chain optimization extends across global networks, and financial risk modeling must navigate volatile markets. McKinsey estimates that quantum computing could create $1.3 trillion in value by 2035, yet current quantum systems remain too error-prone for meaningful business applications. The challenge is that existing quantum computers can only execute a few thousand operations before errors accumulate and corrupt results, making them unsuitable for many of the most complex algorithms that drive real business value. This reliability gap has kept large-scale quantum computing mostly in research labs rather than corporate data centers. IBM Quantum Starling addresses this fundamental limitation through error correction at an unprecedented scale. The system will operate 200 logical qubits while executing 100 million operations with accuracy. These logical qubits are quantum computing units protected against errors through sophisticated encoding across multiple physical components. According to IBM, this represents a 20,000-fold improvement over current quantum computers in operational capability. The business value lies in Starling's modular architecture, which is designed like an enterprise data center rather than an experimental prototype. The system will connect approximately 20 quantum modules within IBM's Poughkeepsie facility, creating a scalable infrastructure that enterprises can access through cloud services. This approach transforms quantum computing from a specialized research tool into a utility that integrates with existing enterprise workflows. Starling's real-time error correction, based on a state-of-the-art error correction called 'the gross code,' uses the Relay-BP decoder to ensure computational accuracy throughout complex operations. This reliability enables the development of long, sophisticated algorithms required for practical business applications, ranging from pharmaceutical molecular modeling to financial portfolio optimization. IBM's approach fundamentally differs from competitors through its focus on resource efficiency rather than raw qubit count. Competitive systems that use the surface code require about 2,000 physical qubits to create approximately 12 logical qubits. In comparison, IBM, using its quantum low-density parity check code, only requires about 200 physical qubits to enable 12 logical qubits. This means that IBM's qLDPC code is approximately 10X more efficient, and there are several codes within the qLDPC family of codes Google and other competitors continue pursuing surface code approaches that, while technically sound, requires a significant resource overhead for practical business applications. IBM's modular design provides another competitive advantage: incremental scalability. Rather than rebuilding entire systems to increase capacity, enterprises can leverage additional capacity in IBM quantum computing services as their computational needs evolve. The company's long track record of meeting its public quantum roadmap commitments demonstrates an execution capability that its venture-funded startups and research-focused competitors have yet to match. It's this steady execution of its quantum strategy that keeps the company in a leadership position within the quantum computing field. It's early days for quantum computing and the competitive landscape remains fractured. Startups like QuEra and PsiQuantum pursue different technical approaches but lack IBM's enterprise relationships and infrastructure capabilities. Google and Amazon possess the resources to compete, but they have not committed to IBM's aggressive commercialization timeline or its enterprise-focused architecture. IBM's existing enterprise relationships across pharmaceutical, financial, and manufacturing sectors provide immediate market access that competitors cannot replicate quickly. The company's cloud infrastructure and enterprise sales organization also offer distribution advantages that pure-play quantum startups lack entirely. 'Quantum advantage' is the ability for quantum computer to compute faster, more efficiently ore more accurately than classical computing alone. IBM's 2026 timeline for quantum advantage positions the company to capture early adopter revenue while competitors remain in development phases. The three-year lead time between quantum advantage and Starling's full deployment provides a competitive moat that will be difficult for competitors to breach. IBM's roadmap extends beyond Starling to Blue Jay, a 2,000-logical-qubit system capable of billions of operations. This progression is a clear demonstration of the company's commitment to quantum computing as a long-term business strategy rather than a research initiative. IBM's Quantum Computing Roadmap The quantum computing market is at an inflection point. IBM's Starling system will transform quantum computing from an expensive research curiosity into enterprise infrastructure that delivers measurable business value. This requires IBM to execute, but the company has built credibility by hitting every public milestone its put on its quantum roadmap. For executives evaluating quantum computing strategies, the question has shifted from whether quantum computing will impact their industries to how quickly they can integrate quantum capabilities into competitive advantage. Choosing a partner to help with that journey is a critical first step, with IBM taking an early leadership position. IBM's leadership should be no surprise. The company, after all, is the only in the industry to help enterprises navigate nearly every major transition in compute technology over the past sixty years. Quantum computing is simply the next transition.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Surprising tech giant aims to lead quantum computing revolution
Surprising tech giant aims to lead quantum computing revolution originally appeared on TheStreet. The fast-growing world of quantum computing took a shocking turn this week, as a former industry leader revealed some unexpected news. Over the past few weeks, many quantum computing stocks have performed extremely well, boosted by a few clear catalysts that have generated significant momentum. This list includes companies such as D-Wave Systems and Quantum Computing. 💵💰💰💵 Fellow quantum computing leader IonQ made headlines recently when it announced a major acquisition, sending shares up. But more recently, a former giant of the tech sector revealed ambitious plans to step into the quantum computing market and offered a timeline for its vision. Even as the sector has grown recently, companies in the quantum computing space have often been overshadowed by their peers in the artificial intelligence (AI) field. However, these recent developments suggest that industry tides could be about to shift as tech leaders double down on quantum. Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computational tasks at an extremely fast rate. This is accomplished by utilizing quantum bits (qubits) of information, enabling quantum computers to solve problems more efficiently than classical company known for producing classical computing machines has just announced a major pivot into the quantum industry, though. IBM, () one of the first companies to dominate the personal computing space, has revealed that it is working on building the world's first large-scale quantum computer that can operate with no errors. Stephen Guilfoyle, a veteran Wall Street trader who correctly predicted the rise of quantum computing last year, recently discussed IBM's new venture in an analysis for TheStreet Pro, highlighting what it means for the company and industry. 'This upcoming system, to be known as "IBM Quantum Starling," will be expected to perform up to 20,000 times more operations than what we currently refer to as quantum computers, he states. 'Complex quantum states far beyond our current capabilities and even current imagination will be tackled by this system.' He adds that if IBM's plan progresses, the quantum Starling system will have the power to 'access the computational power required for its processes by running 100 million quantum operations using 200 logical qubits,' ultimately paving the way for IBM Quantum Blue Jay, a system capable of executing one billion quantum operations. News of IBM's quantum computing plans sent IMB stock to a new record high, while boosting other quantum stocks such as Quantum Computing Inc and integrated circuit producer Rigetti Computing. While not all companies in the sector experienced this momentum, it is clear that IBM's announcement is seen as a bullish indicator for the industry. More Quantum Computing News: Veteran analyst who predicted quantum computing stocks rally unveils IonQ stock price target IonQ CEO's strong 4-word message sends stock soaring Analyst flags new quantum computing stocks to buy 'Our expertise across mathematics, physics, and engineering is paving the way for a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — one that will solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business,' states CEO Arvind Krishna. This news has overshadowed another recent announcement regarding IBM and quantum computing. But SEEQC, a company that produces scalable and efficient quantum technologies, has revealed a strategic collaboration with IBM, as part of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI).SEEQC founder and CEO John Levy shared with TheStreet that he sees this collaboration as having major implications for both companies, as well as for the quantum computing field. He notes that the company's roadmap offers IBM a path to launch the fault-tolerant quantum computer it is planning. 'We're working together to explore how our ultra energy-efficient digital chips can help power IBM's quantum systems, and if successful, it will be a major leap forward to building practical, scalable quantum computers — not just in research labs, but in real-world data centers for businesses and government,' he states. Levy describes IBM as a leader in the quantum computing field, adding that his company sees its supercomputer plans as a 'turning point for the industry.' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently made a similar statement, revealing that he believes it is reaching an 'inflection point' in the fairly near future. Surprising tech giant aims to lead quantum computing revolution first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights D-Wave Quantum, IBM, IonQ and Rigetti Computing
Chicago, IL – June 12, 2025 – announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: D-Wave Quantum QBTS, International Business Machines Corp.'s IBM, IonQ IONQ and Rigetti Computing RGTI. Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog: Shares of D-Wave Quantum have captured the spotlight over the past year, soaring an astounding 1359.5%. This rally has been fueled by accelerating demand for quantum technology, broader AI-driven infrastructure boom and the company's robust quarterly results. However, International Business Machines Corp.'s entry into the next phase of quantum computing with its yesterday's announcement of IBM Quantum Starling, a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer projected to perform 20,000 times more operations than today's machines, may signal a new competitive threat within this niche. IBM's roadmap includes tangible plans to deliver fault tolerance and modular scalability by the end of the decade. Big Blue's latest move, while showcasing its long-term ambition to lead in enterprise quantum solutions, also raises concerns for smaller players like QBTS. With IBM's renewed push, the quantum race is heating up. Investors must now reassess whether D-Wave Quantum's fundamentals and growth strategies reflect sustainable leadership or if recent gains could prove overextended amid escalating competitive pressure. Let's find out. Quantum Supremacy Fuels Confidence: D-Wave Quantum's first-quarter 2025 achievement of quantum computational supremacy on a real-world materials science problem is now published in Science. Using its 1,200-qubit Advantage2 prototype, the company solved a problem in minutes that would take a top-tier classical supercomputer nearly a million years, consuming more energy than the world produces in a year. This validation separates D-Wave from peers like IonQ and Rigetti Computing, which are yet to demonstrate superiority on commercially relevant tasks. Competitive Advantage of Annealing Quantum Computing: D-Wave works on annealing quantum computing, a branch of quantum computing optimized for combinatorial and optimization problems. Unlike rivals focused on gate-based models that are still stuck in development cycles, D-Wave's systems are built for immediate deployment. Its growing body of production applications supports this. Strong Cash Position Supports Path to Profitability: D-Wave Quantum exited the first quarter of 2025 with a record-high consolidated cash balance of $304.3 million, significantly enhanced by $146.2 million in net proceeds raised through its third At-The-Market (ATM) offering during the quarter. Management now believes this cash position is sufficient to fund operations through to profitability, solidifying D-Wave's standing as one of the most capital-efficient companies in the quantum computing space. Technical indicators suggest continued strong performance for D-Wave Quantum. Notably, the 50-day SMA continues to read higher than the 200-day SMA, signaling a bullish trend. This technical strength underscores positive market sentiment and confidence in QBTS' financial health and prospects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for D-Wave Quantum's second-quarter and 2025 earnings implies 30% and 72% improvement, respectively, from the year-ago periods. As the only quantum computing company to demonstrate real-world quantum supremacy, validated by a peer-reviewed Science publication, D-Wave distinguishes itself from competitors like IonQ and Rigetti Computing, which remain focused on less mature gate-based systems with fewer commercial deployments. While IBM's investment in quantum might prove a threat for smaller companies, it also validates the opportunity D-Wave is already capitalizing on with its production-ready annealing solutions. Despite IBM's entry, D-Wave still has a long runway for growth. Backed by strong first-quarter 2025 results, rising enterprise adoption and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), QBTS offers more upside potential for long-term investors. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation. See Stocks Free >> Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report IonQ, Inc. (IONQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
India Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
IBM plans to launch Starling quantum computer by 2029, it can detect and fix its own errors without crashing
IBM has unveiled a new vision to create the world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. The company aims to deliver the system in 2029, and calls it "IBM Quantum Starling" system. The project, to be housed within a newly constructed IBM Quantum Data Centre in Poughkeepsie, New York, promises to revolutionise the capabilities of quantum computing far beyond today's existing technologies. The Starling quantum computer is expected to execute 20,000 times more operations than current quantum machines, reaching levels of computational complexity previously thought unattainable. According to IBM, representing the full computational state of Starling would require memory equivalent to more than a quindecillion of today's most powerful supercomputers. With this leap, researchers and businesses will be able to explore the full spectrum of quantum states, offering insights far beyond what current quantum devices can Starling quantum computer'IBM is charting the next frontier in quantum computing,' said Arvind Krishna, IBM's Chairman and CEO. 'Our expertise across mathematics, physics, and engineering is paving the way for a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — one that will solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business.'Fault-tolerant quantum systems are viewed as the gateway to practical applications across various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, chemistry, and optimisation. With hundreds or even thousands of logical qubits, these machines could potentially perform hundreds of millions, or even billions, of operations with unprecedented accuracy and Starling system aims to achieve 100 million quantum operations using 200 logical qubits. It will serve as the foundation for IBM's subsequent system, Quantum Blue Jay, which aspires to handle one billion quantum operations across 2,000 logical conventional qubits, logical qubits rely on multiple physical qubits operating together to store quantum information while continuously correcting for errors. Error correction is critical, as it allows the system to perform sustained computations without faults. The more physical qubits involved, the more reliable the logical qubit becomes, enabling extended quantum operations that were previously now, scaling up quantum systems has been hampered by the impracticality of managing the sheer number of physical qubits required. Previous error-correcting methods demanded excessive hardware and infrastructure, limiting real-world applications to only small-scale approach is grounded in a new architecture based on quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) codes, which the company detailed in two newly published technical papers. This innovative error-correcting code, which gained recognition in Nature, reduces the number of physical qubits needed for error correction by around 90 per cent compared to traditional methods, making large-scale systems far more first paper outlines how qLDPC codes will enable the system to process instructions efficiently and perform quantum operations with considerably less overhead. The second describes real-time decoding techniques, which allow conventional computing resources to swiftly identify and correct errors during quantum roadmapIBM's updated Quantum Roadmap lays out a series of milestones leading up to Starling. In 2025, the IBM Quantum Loon processor will begin testing architectural components such as 'C-couplers' for long-distance qubit connections. In 2026, Quantum Kookaburra will mark the company's first modular processor capable of both storing and processing encoded information. By 2027, the Quantum Cockatoo system will connect multiple Kookaburra modules via 'L-couplers,' enabling scalable quantum systems that avoid the impracticality of massive, monolithic chips. advertisement
