IBM launches $100 million partnership with global universities to develop novel technologies toward a 100,000-qubit quantum-centric Supercomputer
In a recent press release, IBM, along with the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago, announced a decade-long, $100 million initiative at the G7 Summit in Japan.
Arvind Krishna, Chairman & CEO of IBM shared that the company looks forward to introducing quantum technology and demonstrating how useful it is.
Over the past several years, IBM has been at the forefront of introducing quantum technology to the world," Krishna said.
The aim of the project is to develop a revolutionary supercomputer focused on quantum computing, boasting an impressive 100,000 qubits. This quantum-centric approach represents a paradigm shift in high-performance computing, offering the potential to solve crucial global challenges that even the most advanced supercomputers of today struggle to address.
"We have achieved significant progress along our roadmap and mission to globally establish useful quantum technology, so much so that we can now, with our partners, truly begin to explore and develop a new class of supercomputing anchored by quantum," Krishna said.
This powerful quantum system holds the potential to unlock entirely new understandings of molecular processes and chemical reactions. Consequently, it could empower scientists to develop improved techniques for carbon capture, discover materials for energy grids and electric vehicle batteries, and create more efficient and sustainable fertilizers. These advancements have the potential to significantly contribute to the field of climate change research. The project aims to foster collaboration among various companies and research institutes worldwide, tapping into their talent and resources. Over the next decade, IBM will focus on enhancing the underlying technologies of this system, while working alongside the University of Chicago, the University of Tokyo, and IBM's extensive global ecosystem to design and construct the necessary components on a large scale.
Looking ahead, IBM intends to expand these partnerships to include Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. These institutions, both hosting Department of Energy quantum hubs and members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, possess valuable expertise and knowledge that can facilitate the deployment of the envisioned quantum-centric supercomputer technology.
