@quantumcomputingreport.com
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The quantum computing industry is experiencing a surge in activity, marked by significant acquisitions and technological advancements. IonQ has announced its intent to acquire UK-based Oxford Ionics for $1.075 billion in stock and cash, uniting two leaders in trapped-ion quantum computing. This deal aims to accelerate the development of scalable and reliable quantum systems, targeting 256 high-fidelity qubits by 2026 and over 10,000 physical qubits by 2027. The acquisition combines IonQ's quantum computing stack with Oxford Ionics' semiconductor-compatible ion-trap technology, strengthening IonQ's technical capabilities and expanding its European presence. CEO of IonQ, Niccolo de Masi, highlighted the strategic importance of this acquisition, uniting talent from across the world to become the world’s best quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum networking ecosystem.
Recent advancements also include the activation of Europe’s first room-temperature quantum accelerator by Fraunhofer IAF, featuring Quantum Brilliance’s diamond-based QB-QDK2.0 system. This system utilizes nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers and operates without cryogenic requirements, seamlessly integrating into existing high-performance computing environments. It's co-located with classical processors and NVIDIA GPUs to support hybrid quantum-classical workloads. Moreover, IBM has announced plans to build the world’s first large-scale, error-corrected quantum computer named Starling, aiming for completion by 2028 and cloud availability by 2029. IBM claims it has cracked the code for quantum error correction, moving from science to engineering. Further bolstering the industry's growth, collaborative projects are demonstrating the potential of quantum computing in various applications. IonQ, in partnership with AstraZeneca, AWS, and NVIDIA, has showcased a quantum-accelerated drug discovery workflow that drastically reduces simulation time for key pharmaceutical reactions. Their hybrid system, integrating IonQ’s Forte quantum processor with NVIDIA CUDA-Q and AWS infrastructure, achieved over a 20-fold improvement in time-to-solution for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. Additionally, the Karnataka State Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Quantum Research Park at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, allocating ₹48 crore ($5.595 million USD) to expand the state’s quantum technology infrastructure and foster collaboration between academia, startups, and industry. References :
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Sophia Chen@technologyreview.com
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IBM has announced ambitious plans to construct a large-scale, error-corrected quantum computer, aiming for completion by 2028. This initiative, known as IBM Quantum Starling, represents a significant step forward in quantum computing technology. The project involves a modular architecture, with components being developed at a new IBM Quantum Data Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. IBM hopes to make the computer available to users via the cloud by 2029.
The company's approach to fault tolerance involves a novel architecture using quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) codes. This method is projected to drastically reduce the number of physical qubits required for error correction, potentially cutting overhead by around 90% compared to other leading codes. IBM says it's cracked the code to quantum error correction and this will significantly enhance the computational capability of the new machine compared to existing quantum computers. IBM also released two technical papers outlining how qLDPC codes can improve instruction processing and operational efficiency, and describes how error correction and decoding can be handled in real-time using classical computing resources. IBM anticipates that Starling will be capable of executing 100 million quantum operations using 200 logical qubits. This lays the foundation for a follow-up system, IBM Quantum Blue Jay, which will operate with 2,000 logical qubits and run 1 billion operations. According to IBM, storing the computational state of Starling would require memory exceeding that of a quindecillion (10⁴⁸) of today’s most powerful supercomputers. This project aims to solve real-world challenges and unlock immense possibilities for business in fields such as drug development, materials science, chemistry, and optimisation. References :
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@www.microsoft.com
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Microsoft is actively enhancing AI security and providing guidance to organizations navigating the integration of artificial intelligence. Deputy CISO Yonatan Zunger has shared valuable tips on safely and efficiently implementing AI, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to establishing identity standards for agent access across various systems. Microsoft is also focused on building sophisticated AI agents that can augment and amplify organizational capabilities across various sectors.
Recent developments highlight Microsoft's commitment to advancing AI in healthcare. The Azure AI Foundry platform is powering key healthcare advancements in collaboration with Stanford, showcasing the practical application of agentic AI in analyzing complex data and improving patient outcomes. This partnership demonstrates the potential of AI to transform healthcare by enabling more efficient and accurate analysis, leading to better diagnoses and treatment plans. Microsoft is also focused on the future of AI agents and the need for evolving identity standards. As AI agents become more autonomous and capable of independent problem-solving, the need for secure and standardized access to data and systems becomes critical. The company's work in developing agents for developer and operations workflows, such as the Conditional Access Optimizer Agent, demonstrates its proactive approach to addressing these challenges and ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies. References :
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