DARPA Advances Quantum Benchmarking Initiative to Stage B with 11 Companies for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing by 2033

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has moved its flagship Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) into the second phase, known as Stage B, advancing 11 quantum computing companies to this year-long technical validation stage. Launched in 2024, QBI aims to rigorously evaluate diverse quantum computing architectures to determine if a fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computer—with computational value exceeding its cost can be developed by 2033.

Stage B involves a detailed assessment of participating companies' research and development plans, risk mitigation strategies, and prototype development roadmaps. This phase marks a shift from conceptual proposals to in-depth technical evaluations. Companies such as IonQ, Quantinuum, Silicon Quantum Computing, and others specializing in various quantum technologies including trapped ions, superconducting qubits, silicon spin qubits, and photonics have been selected.

The initiative's ultimate goal is to provide unbiased verification of the promise and feasibility of industrial-scale quantum computing technologies. Success in this program could accelerate the arrival of practical quantum computing benefiting both government and industry sectors.

Source: DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative program page and recent news reports