IBM unveiled on November 27 the successful installation of a 127-qubit quantum computing system at the University of Tokyo, marking the region's debut of a "utility-scale" quantum system. Named "Quantum System One" by IBM, this system is driven by the company's Eagle processor and is a pivotal element of an ongoing collaborative research venture between Japan and IBM. IBM stated in a blog post that the system will be instrumental in conducting research across various domains such as bioinformatics, materials science, and finance.
Hiroaki Aihara, Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, "For the first time outside of North America, a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor is available exclusively to QII members… By encouraging research across diverse fields and facilitating the real-world application of quantum-related technologies, we aim to contribute significantly to the future societal landscape."
While Japan and the University of Tokyo have been engaged in fruitful collaborations with U.S. quantum computing partners, China's tech giant Alibaba has made a contrasting move by announcing the closure of its quantum computing laboratory. Reports indicated that Alibaba opted for this action as a cost-cutting measure, resulting in the donation of its equipment to Zhejiang University. Additionally, several employees associated with Alibaba's quantum research laboratory were reportedly laid off. This decision follows Alibaba's recent abandonment of plans for a cloud computing spinoff, citing uncertainties arising from U.S. restrictions on chip exports to China.
The quantum computing industry is projected to witness substantial growth, estimated to surpass $5.5 billion between 2023 and 2030, according to Fortune Business Insights. Concerns have arisen among experts regarding the status of quantum computing research beyond the United States and China. Koen Bertels, the founder of quantum computing accelerator QBee and a professor at Ghent University in Belgium, recently emphasized Europe's need to prioritize quantum computing, expressing concerns that Europe had previously lost the AI race and cannot afford to fall behind in quantum computing.
"Besides facing challenges in funding, talent acquisition, and strategic direction, Europe's competitors aren't limited to the United States," Bertels noted.
