Quantum Computing: IBM, AIST Target 10,000 Qubits by 2029

This article originally appeared in IoT World Today.

IBM and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) are to strengthen their research collaboration for the industrialization of quantum technology.

In a memorandum of understanding, the partners signed on May 24 but only announced last week, the organizations agreed to work together to promote the development of next-generation quantum computers and their supply chain in Japan.

According to AIST, this will include Japanese manufacturers providing hardware parts for future quantum computing systems and the development of a supply chain.

This would include specialized semiconductors that can operate in the near-absolute zero temperatures that IBM’s superconducting quantum hardware requires.

“We also believe that by promoting the use of quantum computing in industry, we can accelerate the growth of the quantum industry in Japan. We will help foster a large community for the development of industry use cases focused on business impact,” the institute said in a press release.

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The collaboration involves the organizations promoting the development of next-generation devices and supply chains and creating a market through industrial use case development.

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The partners are also targeting a quantum computer with 10,000 error-corrected qubits by 2029, according to a report by financial news outlet Nikkei.

Experts generally agree that 10,000 physical qubits could yield more than 100 logical qubits, which is enough to start performing longer, more complex algorithms with a low enough error rate to be useful.

Commercial hardware would require two or three times that number.

IBM released its 1,200 qubit Condor quantum processor in 2023 and anticipates the release of its 1,386 qubit Flamingo processor later this year. Beyond 2026, IBM plans “scaling to 10,000 – 100,000 qubits with classical and quantum communication.”