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IBM Targets Practical Quantum Computer by 2029, Reveals Roadmap for Larger Systems

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IBM announced on Tuesday its goal to deliver a practical quantum computer by 2029, detailing the steps it will take to achieve this milestone. The company also plans to develop a much larger quantum system by 2033.

Quantum computers utilize principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that classical computers could take thousands of years to address. However, current quantum machines dedicate significant resources to error correction, limiting their overall speed advantage.

IBM aims to build the “Starling” quantum computer at a new data center under construction in Poughkeepsie, New York. The system is expected to feature about 200 logical qubits—units of quantum information—enough to demonstrate computational advantages over classical systems.

Competing alongside tech giants Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and various well-funded startups, IBM confronts the challenge of qubit errors by innovating in error-correction algorithms. Since 2019, IBM has adopted a novel approach by designing error-correction methods suited to practical, buildable chips rather than purely theoretical designs.

Jay Gambetta, IBM’s vice president of quantum initiatives, emphasized that the company has resolved the fundamental science questions and now faces a significant engineering challenge to scale up quantum systems. “We’ve answered those science questions. You don’t need a miracle now,” he said. “Now you need a grand challenge in engineering.”

IBM plans to release a series of quantum systems between now and 2027, paving the way toward the more powerful machines targeted for 2029 and beyond.

IonQ to Acquire Oxford Ionics for $1.08 Billion to Boost Quantum Computing Research

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U.S.-based quantum computing company IonQ announced on Monday that it will acquire British peer Oxford Ionics for $1.08 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, aiming to strengthen its expertise in the rapidly growing quantum technology sector. IonQ’s shares rose nearly 4% in premarket trading following the announcement, with the company’s market valuation standing at $10.15 billion as of the last close.

Quantum computing, which leverages quantum bits or qubits to perform complex calculations faster and more efficiently than classical computers, has attracted significant investments from tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and IBM. Oxford Ionics specializes in innovative methods to control qubits, a critical focus area in advancing quantum computer performance.

The founders of Oxford Ionics, Chris Balance and Tom Harty, who are also researchers, will continue to work with IonQ after the acquisition closes. The transaction price per share will be set between $30.22 and $50.37 based on IonQ’s stock price in the 20 days preceding deal closure, expected within this year.

Although revenues remain modest for quantum computing companies including IonQ and competitor Rigetti, the technology is viewed as vital for national security and has promising applications in fields such as medical research and cybersecurity.

IonQ has actively expanded its capabilities through acquisitions, including last year’s purchase of Boston startup Lightsynq, which focuses on quantum memory. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang announced plans to open a quantum computing research lab, signaling growing industry momentum, despite some skepticism about when the technology will be practically applicable.

Cisco Unveils Quantum Networking Chip, Opens New Lab to Advance Future of Quantum Connectivity

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Cisco Systems revealed a prototype quantum networking chip on Tuesday and announced the opening of a new quantum research lab in Santa Monica, California, marking the company’s formal entry into the fast-evolving field of quantum computing.

Unlike competitors focused on building standalone quantum computers with increasingly more qubits, Cisco’s efforts aim to link quantum systems together, enabling larger-scale quantum computing through networking. The chip, developed in partnership with researchers from UC Santa Barbara, facilitates quantum entanglement between pairs of photons, which can then be transmitted to separate quantum computers—allowing them to share entangled states and communicate instantaneously over long distances.

“There are a whole bunch of use cases,” said Vijoy Pandey, SVP of Cisco’s Outshift innovation incubator. These include high-precision time synchronization for financial trading, global scientific coordination, and even space research applications like meteorite detection.

Quantum entanglement—the same phenomenon Albert Einstein called “spooky action at a distance”—is at the heart of Cisco’s chip design. For now, the technology remains in the prototype phase with no immediate revenue timeline, but Cisco views it as the first building block toward a scalable quantum internet.

Cisco joins a growing list of major tech firms—including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia—racing to lead in quantum innovation. While others build the processors, Cisco is positioning itself as the quantum network infrastructure provider.