IBM defines (again) quantum advantage, Infleqtion, IQM, SpinQ, Banks and Quantum - The Week in Quantum Computing, July 28th
Issue #246
Quick Recap
Infleqtion committed $50 million to establish its global headquarters and a utility-scale neutral atom quantum computer at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, supporting at least 36 new jobs and leveraging the state’s push for quantum technology leadership. This follows Illinois’ cumulative quantum investments of $700 million, with major tenants like PsiQuantum and IBM highlighting the region’s rising prominence. On the industry side, a D-Wave Quantum and Wakefield Research survey of 400 business leaders indicates 81% feel they have reached classical computing’s limits for optimization, motivating 53% to plan quantum integration; key expected ROI surpasses $1 million for most, with operational impact centered in supply chain and logistics.
ehem…. That 81% that says they’ve reached classical computing limits may have not heard of this little things everyone is buying like chorizons. Graphical Processing Units… Or maybe graphical is not consider classical? :D
The study surveyed 400 business leaders. Ok, fine. Maybe a biased sample, but ok. 27% expect quantum optimization to deliver over $5M ROI within the first year of adoption (but adoption when? Because you will have zero ROI with quantum adoption today!), and 46% predict $1–5M (If you want to know how to get actual ROI from quantum, contact me. I do have the magic wand and it is not a pyramid scheme). The most important quantum research nowadays seems to be evaluating the true interests behind the reports in the market.
Technological and organizational advances were also notable. SpinQ, led by Xiang Jingen, plans a 100-qubit superconducting machine by late 2025 and foresees practical quantum “usefulness” at the 500-qubit level within five years. Amazon Braket launched the 54-qubit IQM Emerald processor in Stockholm, boasting single- and two-qubit gate fidelities of 99.93% and 99.5%, with dynamic circuit and error correction support. Bell Labs reported topological qubits stable for hours to days using gallium arsenide—promising for error resilience and scalability. The sector’s talent race continued, as JPMorgan Chase replaced former research lead Marco Pistoia with Rob Otter. On the research front, a cross-institutional team outlined the first platform-agnostic, operational definition of quantum advantage, while IBM and Pasqal’s new white paper tries to define (once again) quantum advantage when classical and quantum resources are combined, with error mitigation strategies like Algorithmiq’s TEM boosting credibility. For accessibility and education, the Quantum Machine Learning Playground emerged, simplifying quantum ML concepts for wider audiences.
** This may be an exaggeration. The ROI can be closer to zero but it is still fun.
The Week in Quantum Computing
New Study: More Than One-Quarter of Surveyed Business Leaders Expect Quantum Optimization to Deliver $5M or Higher ROI Within First Year of Adoption
Take this with a bit of skepticism: A July 2025 report by D-Wave Quantum Inc. and Wakefield Research, based on a survey of 400 business leaders from North America, Europe, and APAC, finds that 27% expect quantum optimization to deliver over $5M ROI within the first year of adoption, and 46% predict $1–5M. 81% believe they have reached the limits of classical computing for optimization, prompting 53% to plan quantum integration, with another 27% considering it. 60% anticipate quantum optimization to be very or extremely helpful in solving operational challenges. Key areas of expected impact include supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing. These findings underscore a significant shift toward quantum optimization in response to classical computing’s limitations in 2025.
I wonder who they asked to compile this report, but they definetely have different frineds than me.
China’s SpinQ sees quantum computing crossing usefulness threshold within 5 years
Shenzhen-based SpinQ, led by founder and CEO Xiang Jingen, anticipates delivering a 100-qubit superconducting quantum computer by the end of 2025 and believes the field will reach “usefulness” for solving real problems in three to five years as 500-qubit machines emerge. SpinQ, founded in 2018, has expanded globally, selling educational NMR quantum computers (~3 qubits), industrial superconducting quantum machines (up to 20 qubits), and related products to over 40 countries. Notably, in 2023, SpinQ shipped China’s first superconducting quantum chip export to the Middle East. Xiang likens the current quantum landscape to the semiconductor industry of the 1950s, underscoring quantum computing’s early-stage evolution despite recent milestones.
A Framework for Quantum Advantage
A group of 15 researchers, including Olivia Lanes, Mourad Beji, Antonio D. Corcoles, and Jay M. Gambetta, have introduced "A Framework for Quantum Advantage" (arXiv:2506.20658, July 2025), addressing the lack of consensus on defining quantum advantage across companies and architectures. Their operational and platform-agnostic definition aims to be empirically verifiable. The paper identifies algorithmic families most likely to reach early quantum advantage and envisions quantum computers complementing high-performance computing in fields like chemistry, materials discovery, and optimization.
The dawn of quantum advantage
IBM and startup Pasqal have released a white paper defining quantum advantage as a rigorously validated demonstration that quantum computers, when combined with classical systems, can outperform classical computation alone in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, or accuracy. Their analysis, published on arXiv, indicates that the first credible claims of quantum advantage are now emerging, particularly in sampling problems, variational problems, and expectation value calculations. Error mitigation techniques, such as Algorithmiq’s Tensor Network Error Mitigation (TEM), play a key role in managing noise and enabling these advances. IBM predicts consensus around the first proven quantum advantages by the end of 2026, but emphasizes that ongoing validation and algorithmic advances will be essential as quantum and classical computing become increasingly intertwined.
JPMorgan Chase overhauls quantum computing leadership, poaches State Street executive
JPMorgan Chase has restructured its quantum computing research leadership by hiring Rob Otter, State Street’s former global head of digital technology and quantum computing, to succeed Marco Pistoia, who led JPMorgan’s applied research group since 2020 and has now departed. Pistoia, a former “Master Inventor” at IBM with at least 270 patents, played a pivotal role in building out JPMorgan’s advanced tech initiatives, including quantum computing, blockchain, and cryptography. Charles Lim, global head for quantum communications and cryptography, has also left. While tech leaders like Alphabet and IBM continue the push for commercially viable quantum computers, JPMorgan’s moves signal ongoing competition for talent and leadership in quantum development within the finance sector in 2025.
Amazon Braket launches new 54-qubit superconducting quantum processor from IQM
Amazon Braket has added the IQM Emerald, a 54-qubit superconducting quantum processor, expanding its quantum hardware offerings in the Europe (Stockholm) region. Emerald features a square lattice topology with tunable couplers, enabling high qubit connectivity and native support for surface-code error correction. Early data shows a median single-qubit gate fidelity of 99.93% and two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.5%. Both the new 54-qubit Emerald and the existing 20-qubit Garnet are available 19 hours per day, with options for on-demand and reserved capacity. Emerald supports dynamic circuits capabilities, allowing mid-circuit measurements and conditional operations.
Bell Labs Takes A Topological Approach To Quantum 2.0
In July 2025, Bell Labs, part of Nokia, announced progress in Quantum 2.0 by developing topological qubits using gallium arsenide, enabling quantum states stable for "hours, sometimes days," according to Michael Eggleston. Their approach distributes quantum information over millions of electrons in a quantum “liquid,” in contrast to conventional single-particle qubits, aiming to reduce fragility and improve error rates. The topological qubits measure about 15-by-15 microns, allowing over a million to fit in a traditional chip-sized space, which could ease scaling challenges. With $1.25 billion invested in quantum technologies in Q1 2025, Bell Labs’ focus on manufacturable, scalable topological qubits highlights the industry's ongoing diversification of qubit modalities as error correction and practicality remain central challenges.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Infleqtion to Accelerate Quantum Computing in Illinois and Locate Computing Headquarters in Chicago
Infleqtion will invest $50 million to establish its global quantum computing headquarters at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago, creating at least 36 full-time jobs as required by the MICRO program. Supported by Illinois' Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act, Infleqtion will develop a utility-scale, neutral atom quantum computer—the next generation of its Sqale system. The move, announced during Chicago’s inaugural Global Quantum Forum, aligns with Governor JB Pritzker’s commitment to make Illinois a quantum leader, following previous quantum investments totaling $700 million. Infleqtion’s expanded presence, alongside other major tenants like PsiQuantum and IBM, underscores Illinois’ momentum in building a premier ecosystem for quantum research, development, and real-world application in 2025.
Quantum Machine Learning Playground
Pascal Debus, Sebastian Issel, and Kilian Tscharke have developed the Quantum Machine Learning Playground, an interactive web application for visualizing quantum machine learning (QML) algorithms, inspired by tools like TensorFlow Playground. Detailed in a paper accepted by IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, their platform focuses on the data re-uploading universal quantum classifier and aims to simplify QML concepts through intuitive visual metaphors combining quantum computing and classical machine learning elements. This open-access tool intends to lower the learning curve for quantum computing and stimulate further progress in QML research. In a year marked by demands for greater accessibility and education in quantum technologies, such visualization tools become especially relevant for demystifying quantum algorithms to broader audiences.
Infleqtion to Accelerate Next Generation Quantum Computing in Illinois
Infleqtion has announced plans to enhance next-generation quantum computing capabilities in Illinois. The initiative focuses on advancing quantum technologies, particularly in the areas of system development and commercialization. This effort aligns with Illinois’ growing role as a hub for quantum innovation and leverages regional resources and talent. No specific financial figures, technical milestones, or partnerships are disclosed in the announcement.
Deutscher Bundestag - Regierung will Roadmap fur die Post-Quanten-Kryptografie
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) describes quantum computers as "a very serious risk" for digital encryption, including cryptocurrencies. Following the EU roadmap ("Coordinated Implementation Roadmap for the Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography") published in June 2025, the German federal government is striving to develop a national roadmap for the transition to post-quantum cryptography and is promoting this through the "Introducing Post-Quantum Cryptography into Applications" directive. Hybrid cryptographic methods that combine classical and quantum-resistant algorithms are recommended as a transitional solution. The threat situation is underscored by attacks by North Korean actors, such as those on Bybit (2024) and "Axie Infinity" (2022). Germany's commitment serves to prepare for the growing risks posed by quantum computers.
Could a Quantum Computing Bubble Be About to Pop? History Offers a Clear Answer
The Motley Fool raises concerns about a possible bubble in quantum computing, drawing parallels to previous tech bubbles. The article notes that quantum startups have attracted billions in investment, despite the technology being “years, if not decades, away from delivering commercial value at scale.” It warns that many companies remain pre-revenue and depend heavily on investor enthusiasm rather than proven business models or tangible technological breakthroughs. As companies in 2025 continue to promote ambitious road maps without clear returns, the risk grows that inflated expectations may lead to sharp corrections, mirroring past cycles in emerging tech. While hype persists, investors are reminded that the practical utility and profitability of quantum computing still lag far behind the current excitement.