IBM’s Quantum Computing Roadmap: How Qiskit Merges Theory With Practice

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(85) Inside Quantum Computing At IBM: Quantum Lead On Qiskit And The IBM Roadmap – Dr Blake Johnson

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IBM Quantum Computing

With regular updates to the quantum computing roadmap, IBM stands at the forefront of quantum computing, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this revolutionary technology. Let’s explore their innovative software development kit, Qiskit, and their ambitious roadmap for the future of quantum computing.

Qiskit: The Key to Quantum Accessibility

At the heart of IBM’s quantum strategy lies Qiskit, their open-source software development kit. Blake Johnson, quantum engine leader at IBM Quantum, describes Qiskit as “one of the foundational technologies that enables the entire roadmap.” This Python-based framework serves as a bridge between classical developers and the complex world of quantum circuits.

Qiskit’s importance cannot be overstated. As Johnson explains, “We view our hardware and software stack as a co-design problem.” This approach allows IBM to develop both the quantum hardware and the tools to interact with it in tandem, creating a more cohesive and efficient quantum computing ecosystem.

The Evolution of Qiskit

Since its inception in 2017, Qiskit has undergone significant changes. Initially a pure Python library, it has evolved to meet the demands of increasingly complex quantum computations. Johnson notes, “We started this project, uh, two and a half years ago now, almost three years to kind of reinvent Qiskit from its core.”

This reinvention involved incorporating Rust into the Qiskit stack, creating a high-performance core while maintaining the familiar Python interface. This hybrid approach aims to provide the speed necessary for advanced quantum computations without sacrificing the accessibility that made Qiskit popular among researchers and developers.

The IBM Quantum Roadmap: A Path to Quantum Advantage

IBM’s quantum roadmap is an ambitious plan that stretches from the present day to 2033 and beyond. This roadmap is not just about increasing the number of qubits, but about enhancing the overall capabilities of quantum systems.

2024: The Year of Reliable Quantum Circuits

Johnson outlines the near-term goal: “This year, our, our goal is to deliver circuits with up to 5,000, two qubit gates as a reliable computational tool.” This milestone represents a significant leap in quantum computing capabilities, enabling more complex and practical quantum algorithms.

2028: Pushing the Boundaries

Looking further ahead, Johnson states, “Leading up to 2028, we will be continuing to drive combinations of improvements in the hardware and the software. Qiskit runtime technology that enable computations up to 15,000 gates.”

2029: The Error-Corrected Era

A major shift is planned for 2029. Johnson explains, “We intend to take a real step change in 2029 to an error corrected technology stack.” This advancement is expected to dramatically increase the scale of quantum computations, with Johnson noting, “We anticipate being extremely powerful because it will allow us to go from circuits of like 15,000 two qubit gates, the circuits of a hundred million, two qubit gates in 2029.”

2033: The BlueJ Horizon

The final milestone on the current roadmap is the BlueJ system in 2033. Johnson states, “Our ultimate goal in 2023 to be able to execute circuits with a billion qubit gates.” This level of quantum computing power could open up entirely new realms of computational possibility.

I am pleased to share that Qiskit over the cloud is now accessible through cloud service providers @OVHcloud_FR and @qbraid_official. These newly recommended solutions will meet the needs of anyone looking for a convenient, cloud-based Jupyter environment that comes with Qiskit.
— Jay Gambetta (@jaygambetta) June 4, 2024

The Quantum Community: Growing and Engaged

IBM’s efforts to make quantum computing accessible are paying off. Johnson reveals, “We’ve had lots of people sign up for it. I think it’s now over 600,000 people.” This growing community of quantum enthusiasts and researchers is crucial for the advancement of the field.

Beyond just access, IBM is providing educational resources. Johnson mentions, “We have a course material from sort of beginner all the way up to sort of graduate student, student level, grad school level, material on quantum computing.”

The Future of Quantum Computing

As quantum computing continues to advance, its potential applications grow. Johnson expresses optimism about the future: “I have a hard time believing that there won’t be major advances in those domains as well.” He anticipates that by 2033, “we’ll really reach an era where the applicability of quantum computing is broad and easy to find.”

However, Johnson emphasizes that quantum computing isn’t about replacing classical computing. Instead, he sees a future where both work in tandem: “I think it’s become more and more obvious to us over time that these technologies really ought to be used together. They really complement each other and kind of we can find ways to augment the capabilities of both when we use them in concert with each other.”

As IBM continues to push the boundaries of quantum computing, their efforts in hardware development, software accessibility, and community building are shaping the future of this revolutionary technology. With Qiskit as a foundation and an ambitious roadmap ahead, IBM is at the forefront of the quantum computing revolution, working to bring the theoretical promise of quantum computing into practical reality.