IBM announced an ambitious plan to have a “practical” quantum computer operational before the end of this decade. Although quantum computing remains experimental and faces significant challenges such as high error rates, the company insists its latest breakthrough marks a crucial step toward real-world applications for solving complex problems.

Quantum computing is an emerging technology that uses principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike traditional computers, which handle data as bits with binary values of 0 or 1, quantum computers use qubits, which can represent multiple states simultaneously thanks to phenomena like superposition and entanglement. This allows them to analyze vast numbers of possibilities at once, potentially revolutionizing sectors such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and complex system optimization.

IBM’s key project is the development of the “Starling” system, being built in a data center in Poughkeepsie, New York. This machine, scheduled for completion in four years, will serve as the foundation for a next-generation quantum computer expected by 2033, with dramatically greater power to tackle highly complex problems.

Jerry Chow, IBM’s director of quantum systems, said the technological leap will be “on par with the jump from flip phones to smartphones.” The breakthrough relies on innovations in error correction, a critical aspect to enable quantum computers to operate reliably at scale.

While challenges remain and practical applications are still largely theoretical, quantum computing is attracting strong interest from industries such as pharmaceuticals, banking, and artificial intelligence. IBM plans to invest $150 billion in the U.S. over five years, with $30 billion earmarked specifically for research and development in both classical and quantum technologies.

IBM already offers quantum services and reports $1 billion in sales, although commercial use remains mostly limited to research. The fundamental difference from traditional computing is that, instead of bits with two states (0 or 1), quantum computing uses qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling problem-solving speeds unimaginable for classical machines.

This progress places IBM at the forefront of the technology race alongside giants like Google and Microsoft, which have also unveiled chips and systems promising to bring practical quantum computing closer to reality.

With this outlook, IBM reaffirms its commitment to revolutionize computing and lay the foundation for a new technological era that could transform entire industries.

With information from AFP