IBM Technology Atlas
→ Updated April 2023
Quantum roadmap
→ on target
2023
Quantum journey Parallelize quantum
computations
Strategy overview 2023 is all about pushing speed
in quantum workflows by the
introduction of parallelization in
the Qiskit Runtime.
Why this matters Today, our systems are capacity
to our clients and limited and user jobs can take
the world multiple days. We need to devel-
op both efficient parallelization
between QPUs and paralleliza-
tion of quantum and classical
resources. This will expand our
capacity by enabling circuit knit-
ting and efficient compilation.
The technology or Middleware will automatically
innovations that will distribute tasks. Serverless
make this possible tools will allow users to focus on
code and not the infrastructure.
Expanded classical resources
in Qiskit Runtime will speed up
compilation and maximize the
utilization of the QPUs.
The platform or Multiple 100+ qubit processors
infrastructure will will be connected with classical
these advancements communication, with ahead of
by delivered on time compilation to increase the
utilization of the QPUs. Controller
hubs will support communication
with 100ns latency.
The future of
computing is
quantum-centric.
→ on target
2024
Establish the utility of
quantum computing
In 2024, the quantum hardware,
Qiskit technologies, and
middleware will come together to
establish the utility of quantum
computing through the noise
mitigated execution of 100x100
circuits in a day.
Qiskit Runtime with error
mitigation will provide the
foundation platform where
algorithm and application
developers can operate without
worrying about noise.
Built-in error mitigation will
automatically determine the
best method to reduce the
effect of noise. A prototype
intelligent orchestration
framework will allow to develop
a compiler for classical and
quantum workflows.
Multiple 100+ qubit processors
of improved quality will be
connected with classical
communication. Exploratory
devices will set the path to scale
through modularity and quantum
communication.
2025
Demonstrate quantum-
centric supercomputing
In 2025, we will bring together
modular processors, middleware,
and quantum communication to
demonstrate the first quantum-
centric supercomputer.
Qiskit Runtime and middleware
for quantum computing will
provide libraries and tools for
faster algorithm development.
Libraries and tools will be
established to enable the use
of circuit knitting, including
circuit cutting, embedding, and
entanglement forging.
Pre-built Qiskit runtimes and
optimized libraries ​will be avail-
able. A 4,000+ qubit quantum
system will be demonstrated,
made from multiple processors,
with each processor made from
multiple chips.
2027
Scaling quantum
computing
By 2027, we will be in the
era of scaling—scaling qubits,
electronics, infrastructure, and
software with a view of reducing
footprint, cost, and energy usage.
Intelligent orchestration on
scaled quantum computers will
increase the size of problems
and analyze workflows to
identify the optimal resource
allocation (leveraging QPUs,
communication, and classical
resources) for the task.
A quantum node will be
established, which can be used
to compose a quantum network
of classical and quantum
communication. This will all
be part of a high-performance
computing architecture and
its corresponding compiler
technology.
Infrastructure will scale to
40,000 qubits at a similar
cost/energy consumption
to 4,000 qubits. A compiler
for quantum-centric
supercomputing will be
established.
2029
Realize frictionless
quantum computing
In 2029, we will further
integrate error resilience
strategies seamlessly as part
of a frictionless approach to
quantum computing.
With this frictionless approach,
users will be able to run large
scale problems with business
and science importance without
the need to worry about noise.
Novel and efficient error
resilience approaches, such as
error correction, will leverage
quantum resources to extend
the computational reach. Qiskit
Runtime will orchestrate these
approaches to provide noise-free
outputs to the users.
Efficient error resilience and
increased QPU complexity
(connectivity) and scale will be
available to reach 100k qubits,
together with the corresponding
low-level dedicated classical
hardware.
IBM Technology Atlas
2030+
Build quantum networks
of quantum computers
Beyond 2030, quantum-centric
supercomputers will include
distributed quantum computing
systems using long-range
quantum networks.
Advances will enable the
reconfigurability of quantum-
centric supercomputers to tackle
a broader set of problems.
Quantum optical interconnects
will link QPUs in separate
dilution refrigerators to provide
distributed entanglement over
long distances. The middleware
will include distributed software
tools to manage entanglement
over a network of quantum
systems.
A system will have millions
of qubits in fridges linked by
quantum interconnects. The
middleware will integrate
these clusters into ever more
powerful quantum-centric
supercomputers.