A new startup called PsiQuantum, which emerged from research done at MIT and Harvard, has set an audacious goal for itself: to build a 10,000-qubit, error-corrected quantum computer by 2026. The company believes that its approach to building quantum computers, which combines photonic circuits with classical computing, will allow them to surpass the likes of industry leaders IBM, Microsoft, and Google. Most quantum computers currently in existence have fewer than 100 qubits and are prone to errors, limiting their practical use. PsiQuantum plans to use an approach called “fault-tolerant quantum computing” which involves error-correcting codes that can handle small errors in qubits. If successful, the company’s quantum computer could be a major breakthrough in the field and could have wide-ranging applications in areas such as drug discovery, optimization problems, and encryption. However, building such a complex and error-free quantum computer is a formidable challenge, and the company will face stiff competition from other quantum computing players. Nevertheless, the race to develop a practical quantum computer is heating up, and PsiQuantum’s ambitious plans certainly make them one to watch in the coming years.
Hot take: PsiQuantum’s bold ambition reflects the growing excitement and competition in the field of quantum computing. Quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize industries and solve problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers. While the timeline and the scale of their goal might seem improbable, the progress made in quantum computing in recent years has been remarkable. It won’t be surprising to see new players emerge and challenge the established leaders in the field. As technology advances and more funding pours into research and development, we can expect to see more ambitious projects like PsiQuantum’s. Whether they succeed or not, their efforts will undoubtedly push the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum computing, and the race to achieve practical quantum computers will only intensify.
