IBM has made a bold promise. At a recent press conference, Jay Gambetta, vice president of IBM Quantum, announced the ambitious goal of building the first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029, named IBM Quantum Starling. This marks a major leap forward in computational power, with a focus on revolutionizing materials science, drug discovery, and complex physics simulations that are still beyond the reach of classical computing.
A New Quantum Era: Solving Stubborn Scientific Challenges
For decades, industries have faced the paradox of trial and error in areas like drug discovery and materials science. Scientists rely on guesswork to identify molecules that could bind to specific proteins or hypothesize new materials like room-temperature superconductors. IBM’s Starling seeks to close this gap by enabling quantum computers to simulate the quantum states of molecules with far more precision than traditional methods allow.
Matthias Steffen, IBM’s head of quantum processor technology, explained the scale of their vision: “Starling will run 100 million qubit operations using 200 logical qubits,” which is roughly equivalent to needing quindecillion supercomputers to achieve the same.
Moving Beyond the “Surface Code” to the qLDPC Approach
IBM’s breakthrough lies in abandoning the surface code error-correction technique, which had long been the standard but was deemed impractical for building large-scale quantum systems. Instead, IBM focused on the qLDPC (quantum low-density parity-check) method, introduced in a 2024 Nature paper, which drastically reduces the number of physical qubits needed for error correction.
In real terms, protecting 12 logical qubits with the surface code would require nearly 3,000 physical qubits. With qLDPC, that number drops to just 288, marking a 90% reduction in qubit count. This efficiency gain could ultimately enable the large-scale quantum computers needed to solve previously unsolvable problems.
IBM’s Quantum Blueprint: Two Papers, A Singular Vision
The company’s efforts go beyond theory: IBM recently published two critical papers to bring this quantum vision closer to reality. These papers provide the technical roadmap for building the Starling quantum computer:
“Tour de gross” outlines a modular quantum architecture.
“Improved belief propagation” addresses real-time error correction, making the advanced quantum systems operational.
While many quantum computing projects focus on individual elements, IBM’s plan aims to simultaneously solve critical challenges related to modular architecture, error correction, and real-time decoding, setting it apart from all other players in the field.
Quantum Computing in Action: Real-World Applications
Despite the long-term 2029 goal for Starling, IBM is already demonstrating the practical potential of quantum computing in various industries. RIKEN and IBM are collaborating on projects that combine quantum computing with supercomputers for chemical simulations. In partnership with ExxonMobil, IBM has also explored quantum simulations for cleaner fuel shipping. Moreover, Cleveland Clinic Foundation used IBM’s SQD add-on for chemistry simulations.
A Quantum Leap You Can Experience Today
For those eager to get hands-on with quantum computing right now, IBM is launching Nighthawk, a new quantum processor available to clients by the end of 2025. This processor will enable quantum circuits that use 15 times more gates, making it a potent tool for those tackling complex molecular modeling and other advanced simulations.
Why This Matters
IBM’s ambitious roadmap for Starling is more than just a technological breakthrough; it has the potential to transform entire industries. With quantum advantage becoming increasingly feasible, researchers and companies can tackle problems that traditional computing can’t yet solve. Whether it’s designing novel materials or finding better drugs, quantum computing is paving the way for scientific advancements previously thought impossible.
Related topics: