IBM has completed the installation of a 127-qubit quantum computing system, known as a “Quantum System One,” at the University of Tokyo.
IBM has completed the installation of a 127-qubit quantum computing system, known as a “Quantum System One,” at the University of Tokyo, marking the introduction of the first “utility-scale” quantum system in the region.
The quantum computing system features IBM’s Eagle processor and was installed as part of an ongoing research partnership between Japan and IBM. The University of Tokyo plans to use the system for research across various fields, including bioinformatics, materials science, and finance.
Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo, emphasized the significance of having a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor available for exclusive use by QII members, marking the first time outside North America. The university aims to leverage the quantum system to promote research in diverse fields and contribute to the social implementation of quantum-related technologies.
Meanwhile, Alibaba, China’s second-largest technology firm, has decided to close its quantum computing laboratory and reportedly donate its equipment to Zhejiang University. The move is viewed as a cost-cutting measure, with reports indicating layoffs of dozens of employees associated with the quantum research lab. This decision follows Alibaba’s cancellation of a planned cloud computing spinoff earlier in the month, citing “uncertainty” due to the partial United States export ban on computer chips to China.
The global quantum computing sector is anticipated to experience significant growth, with estimates suggesting an increase of over $5.5 billion between 2023 and 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights. Concerns have been raised about the state of quantum computing research in regions outside the U.S. and China, with experts emphasizing the importance of global participation in the field.
Koen Bertels, founder of quantum computing accelerator QBee and a professor at the University of Ghent in Belgium, expressed concerns about Europe’s position in the quantum computing race, emphasizing the need for strategic investments and talent development to avoid falling behind in this rapidly advancing technology landscape.