IBM Launches Its Most Advanced Quantum Processors and Accelerates Progress Toward Quantum Advantage

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At its first IBM Quantum Developer Conference, IBM has introduced significant advancements in quantum hardware and software, including the launch of its most advanced processor, the IBM Quantum Heron. This processor, along with enhancements in Qiskit software, aims to take quantum computing to a new level of scalability, speed, and precision, allowing for the execution of complex circuits of up to 5,000 quantum gate operations with accurate results. This capability represents a crucial step towards “quantum advantage,” the point at which quantum computing will surpass classical computing in specific tasks.

IBM Quantum Heron and Qiskit: A Combination for Solving Complex Problems

The new Quantum Heron processor is designed for applications requiring high-precision calculations and scalability. In recent tests, IBM has managed to reduce the time needed to execute complex quantum circuits from 112 hours to 2.2 hours, thanks to the combination of Quantum Heron and optimized Qiskit software, resulting in a 50-fold increase in speed. This opens the door to practical applications in areas such as advanced materials, chemistry, and life sciences, where quantum computing can provide innovative solutions.

Jay Gambetta, Vice President of IBM Quantum, stated: “Improvements in our hardware and Qiskit enable users to build algorithms that combine advanced quantum and classical supercomputing resources to leverage their respective strengths. These algorithms will be key on the path towards fault-tolerant quantum systems, expected to be ready by 2029.”

New Software Tools for Next-Generation Algorithm Development

IBM continues to expand Qiskit’s capabilities by integrating state-of-the-art tools that simplify algorithm creation. Among these are the Qiskit Transpiler Service, which optimizes quantum circuits using AI, and the Qiskit Code Assistant, which employs generative AI models to help developers generate quantum code. Additionally, the Qiskit Serverless enables the execution of workloads on quantum and classical systems in an integrated manner, which is essential in the transition towards a quantum-centric supercomputer.

These tools are available in the Qiskit Functions Catalog, which includes services developed in collaboration with partners such as Algorithmiq, Qedma, and Multiverse Computing. Algorithmiq, for example, offers an error mitigation algorithm using tensor networks that allows users to run circuits with up to 5,000 entangled gates, a significant advancement in handling complex problems.

Collaborations Driving Quantum Computing Towards Practical Applications

IBM has forged key partnerships with scientific and academic institutions, such as the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Japan and the Cleveland Clinic in the United States. These partners explore new possibilities in chemistry and biology through algorithms that integrate quantum and classical resources. The Cleveland Clinic, for instance, uses Qiskit to study interactions between molecules, crucial for drug discovery.

In Japan, the RIKEN Center has launched the JHPC-Quantum project, which integrates the Fugaku supercomputer with the IBM Quantum System Two to build a hybrid quantum-HPC platform. This project aims to demonstrate the value of quantum supercomputing in advanced research, especially in electronic structure modeling.

RPI and the Future of Quantum Supercomputing in Academia

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has also joined IBM in implementing a quantum-centric approach on its campus. RPI uses Qiskit and the power of its AiMOS supercomputer alongside the IBM Quantum System One to create an integrated computing environment, managed by a supercomputing resource administrator. This collaboration seeks to pave the way for new discoveries in science and engineering.

Martin A. Schmidt, President of RPI, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “This step is a testament to our collaboration with IBM and the potential of combining quantum computing and supercomputing to achieve exciting advancements in the coming years.”

IBM and the Future of Quantum Computing

With these advancements in hardware and software, IBM solidifies its position as a leader in creating quantum computing solutions, laying the groundwork for a new era where quantum and classical systems work together to solve complex problems. IBM’s vision is to integrate quantum, classical, and GPU-based computing to design algorithms that were previously inaccessible.

These developments represent a milestone on the path towards applied quantum computing and IBM’s goal of achieving fault-tolerant quantum systems by 2029, which will revolutionize entire sectors by providing new tools for research and scientific innovation.

Source: IBM

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