IBM has released the first stable version of its open-source software development kit, Qiskit SDK 1.x, which promises to revolutionize quantum computing. This tool not only facilitates the building and optimization of quantum circuits, but also represents an evolution towards a complete software stack for quantum computing at IBM.
The Evolution of Qiskit
Since its launch in 2017, Qiskit has become an essential tool for learning and researching quantum computing. With over 600,000 registered users and more than three trillion circuits executed on IBM’s quantum computers, Qiskit has proven to be the preferred open-source software development kit for most quantum developers.
Researchers have published nearly 2,900 research articles using Qiskit and IBM’s systems. Furthermore, over 700 universities worldwide have integrated Qiskit into their quantum computing programs. According to the 2023 Unitary Fund Open Source Software Survey, 69% of respondents prefer Qiskit as their quantum development tool.
A Promising Future for Quantum Computing
The release of Qiskit SDK 1.x marks a significant milestone in the evolution of quantum computing. This highly stable and reliable SDK allows users to work with increasingly complex quantum circuits, some with hundreds of qubits and thousands of gates.
IBM has introduced a repeatable recipe for developing quantum workloads called the Qiskit pattern, which guides users through a four-step journey: map, optimize, execute, and process quantum circuits. This methodology helps users maximize the performance of their quantum workloads.
Optimizations and Improvements
The Qiskit SDK 1.x includes the new Qiskit Transpiler Service, which significantly enhances the tool’s performance. IBM has refactored critical sections of the Python code to Rust, achieving a 39x speed improvement compared to previous versions. Additionally, memory usage has been reduced by over three times, enabling users to work with larger circuits.
IBM has also been experimenting with improved transpile methods using artificial intelligence, based on a reinforcement learning approach. These methods have shown promising results, reducing the number of two-qubit gates and circuit depth in several benchmarks.
Execution and Cloud Services
The Qiskit Runtime Service has been updated to include advanced error mitigation and support for dynamic circuits on the Sampler. Moreover, IBM launched Qiskit Serverless in late 2023, which provisions the necessary resources to run quantum circuits, allowing users to extend and reuse their code more efficiently.
IBM is working on creating a function catalog in the serverless layer called Qiskit Functions. These functions, provided by both IBM and external integrators, will include custom error handling routines, post-processing techniques, and more.
Frictionless Development with AI
To further enhance the development experience, IBM has launched the Qiskit Code Assistant Service in alpha phase. This assistant, based on an IBM Granite LLM model and powered by watsonx, is designed to facilitate quantum programming. It includes an extension for Visual Studio Code and integration with Jupyter Lab.
Conclusion
Qiskit is positioned as an essential component in the IBM Quantum platform, combining the Qiskit software with IBM’s quantum systems to achieve utility-scale performance. This evolution of Qiskit not only propels quantum computing into the future but also promises to transform how organizations approach and solve complex problems using quantum technology. With continuous improvements and optimizations, Qiskit is poised to be the most efficient quantum software tool on the market.
More information on [IBM Blog].