IBM's Jay Gambetta Reveals Breakthrough Quantum Computing Roadmap-Fault-Tolerant Devices Expected by 2029

At San Francisco Tech Week, IBM Director of Research Jay Gambetta shared major advances in quantum computing during a live podcast conversation with Malcolm Gladwell for "Smart Talks with IBM." Gambetta detailed IBM's leadership in the quantum field, emphasizing the government's strategy of open access to quantum machines-a move designed to spur algorithm and application innovation globally.

Tracing his journey from laser science in Australia to pioneering superconducting qubits at Yale, Gambetta explained the decades-long evolution from theoretical quantum algorithms to the current phase of scaling and error correction. He highlighted IBM's achievement in 2023: building a quantum computer that classical systems cannot simulate, marking the start of a new era for the industry.

The conversation also unveiled IBM's ambitious roadmap, culminating in the delivery of the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. This breakthrough is made possible by a new modular quantum error correction code, developed after years of research, that will allow scalable, noise-resistant quantum modules each containing around 1,000 qubits to be linked together.

Gambetta stressed that quantum computers will not replace classical systems but will complement them, solving specific classes of problems such as molecular simulations, differential equations, optimization, and certain machine learning tasks. Early collaborations like simulations with partners in Japan and finance sector experiments with HSBC demonstrate that quantum subroutines can already deliver better results in select applications.

While these machines are not yet outpacing the best classical approximations for most real-world tasks, Gambetta is optimistic that growing access and interdisciplinary experimentation will rapidly advance practical quantum algorithms, especially in areas like chemistry and finance.

Source: “Unlocking Our Quantum Future with IBM’s Director of Research Jay Gambetta | Smart Talks with IBM”