IBM has just unveiled its boldest quantum computing roadmap yet: Starling, the first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer—coming in 2029. Capable of running 20,000X more operations than today’s quantum machines, Starling could unlock breakthroughs in chemistry, materials science, and optimization.
According to IBM, this is not just a pie-in-the-sky roadmap: they actually have the ability to make Starling happen.
In this exclusive conversation, I speak with Jerry Chow, IBM Fellow and Director of Quantum Systems, about the engineering breakthroughs that are making this possible … especially a radically more efficient error correction code and new multi-layered qubit architectures.
We cover:
- The shift from millions of physical qubits to manageable logical qubits
- Why IBM is using quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) codes
- How modular quantum systems (like Kookaburra and Cockatoo) will scale the technology
- Real-world quantum-classical hybrid applications already happening today
- Why now is the time for developers to start building quantum-native algorithms
IBM quantum computer: podcast summary
In this episode, John Koetsier speaks with Jerry Chow of IBM about their roadmap to fault-tolerant quantum computing and their latest advancements, including the IBM Quantum Starling system.
Key Takeaways:
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Future of Computing = Bits + Neurons + Qubits
IBM envisions the convergence of classical, AI-based, and quantum computing to solve problems beyond the reach of any one approach alone.
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IBM Quantum Starling
A next-gen system that will enable 200 logical qubits executing 100 million quantum operations—a massive leap in capability. Simulating its quantum state would require more memory than a quintillion supercomputerscombined.
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Starling in 2029 (200 logical qubits)
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Blue Jay in 2033 (2,000 logical qubits and 1 billion quantum operations)
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Roadmap to 2029
IBM aims to build a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. This includes:
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IBM developed a novel error-correction code called Bicycle Arboretum Code, enabling a 14x reductionin the number of physical qubits needed per logical qubit (compared to surface codes).
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This greatly reduces the cost and complexity of building usable quantum machines.
Breakthrough in Error Correction:
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Advanced Hardware & Packaging:
IBM uses superconducting qubits built with Josephson junctions. To scale, they’ve developed multi-layer 3D interconnects—similar to those in modern semiconductors—to tightly pack qubits in highly connected lattices.
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From 2D to 3D:
Their newest chip, Loon, interconnects each qubit to six others across multiple layers—paving the way for scalable, high-performance quantum processors.
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Cloud Access and Ecosystem:
IBM offers public access to quantum systems via the cloud (since 2016), enabling global researchers to learn, run circuits, and discover new algorithms today—not just in 2029.
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Quantum-Classical Hybrids:
IBM is already collaborating with Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer to tackle complex chemistry problems by combining quantum and classical methods. They’re seeing results on par with top-tier classical methods—early signs of quantum advantage.
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Algorithm Discovery Is Key:
Beyond hardware, IBM believes the near future of quantum is in discovering efficient quantum algorithms. Today’s hundreds-of-qubit machines are already useful for finding tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
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Jerry Chow’s Journey:
Jerry has been working in quantum since 2005, earned his PhD at Yale, and joined IBM in 2010. He helped take quantum from physics labs to scalable systems in the cloud. This work is personal—he hopes it leads to meaningful impact on the world.