In its annual summit, where it showcases its advances in quantum computing, IBM today announced a 433 qubit processor (‘Osprey’). This is a more than a three-fold jump from the previously rolled-out 127 qubit Eagle processor in 2021. IBM continues to be committed to its stated goal of 4,000+ qubits by 2025.
Darío Gil, Senior Vice President, IBM and Director of Research, Jay Gambetta and Jerry Chow holding the new 433 qubit ‘IBM Osprey’ processor (Credit – IBM PR Newswire).
As Dr. Darío Gil, Senior Vice President, IBM and Director of Research noted, “the new 433 qubit ‘Osprey’ processor brings us a step closer to the point where quantum computers will be used to tackle previously unsolvable problems.”
To bring value for its customers and the marketplace, IBM knows it has to scale beyond hardware – tie its quantum strategy across software and the quantum ecosystem at large, continue to integrate into classical computing such as building out a quantum-centric supercomputing infrastructure. To that end, here are some other parts of the announcement –
Expanding IBM Quantum Network
IBM Quantum Network is an initiative with 210+ organizations (Fortune 500 companies, universities, laboratories and startups) representing more than 450,000 users with access to more than 20 of the largest quantum computers accessible over the cloud. IBM provides special program and support for these organizations within the IBM Quantum Network.
Bosch, Vodafone, French bank Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale and Algorithmiq (quantum start-up from Finland) are some of the organizations in the IBM Quantum Network that were featured as part of the announcements from the Summit.
You can read more details on these partnerships below –
- Bosch Using Quantum Computing in Materials Science Innovations
- Vodafone Joins IBM Quantum Network – Will Partner on Telco Use-Cases
- Crédit Mutuel Partners with IBM – Upskilling Employees in Quantum Computing
- Algorithmiq Joins IBM Quantum Network – Quantum Chemistry and Drug Discovery Use-Cases – (includes separate announcement on launch of Aurora – drug-discovery platform)
- Fascinating Q&A with Dr. Sabrina Maniscalo, CEO and Co-Founder, Algorithmiq
IBM Osprey and System Two updates
Apart from 433 qubit Osprey and the stated goal to reach 4000 qubit by 2025, IBM rolled-out its next-generation System Two solution that will support Osprey and other upcoming processors. System Two is slated to be available by the end of 2023 and will be a critical foundation for IBM’s quantum-centric supercomputing strategy.
IBM also announced improvements to Qiskit Runtime to reduce error count by abstracting it into the software layer.
November 2022