Quantum computing is set to transform our world.
The technology has so much potential and momentum that McKinsey & Co has identified it as one of the next big trends in tech, while there are predictions quantum computing could account for nearly US$1.3 trillion in value by 2035.
This week, we look at 10 of the top companies in the world of quantum computing.
10: Rigetti
Rigetti Computing builds and deploys integrated quantum computing systems leveraging superconducting qubit technology. These systems enable organisations to augment existing computational workflows with quantum processors.
Rigetti serves customers in finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, defence, and energy with custom software and full-stack solutions focused on simulation, optimisation, and machine learning applications.
9: Toshiba
Toshiba’s Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) program is working to secure network communications applying the fundamental laws of Quantum Physics.
Since starting research into quantum cryptography in 2003 at the Cambridge Research Laboratory of Toshiba Research Europe Limited, the company has demonstrated a number of notable world firsts, including being the first to announce quantum key distribution over 100km of fibre in 2004 and the first with a continuous key rate exceeding 10 Mbit/second in 2017.
8: Atos Quantum
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation and currently European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing. The company’s purpose is to help design the future of the information space and thereby contribute to scientific and technological development, whilst aiming to be as sustainable as possible. The Atos Quantum Learning Machine (QLM) is a powerful dedicated hardware infrastructure that allows researchers, engineers and students to develop and experiment with quantum software.
7: Alibaba Group
Since launching in 1999, Alibaba Group has helped enterprises in China sell internationally, assisting businesses in local consumer services, Cainiao, cloud, digital media and entertainment initiatives. The company is aiming to serve 2 billion global consumers, enable 10 million businesses to be profitable and to create 100 million jobs by 2036. In 2018, a collaboration with Alibaba Cloud and the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched an 11-qubit quantum open-source simulator-driven development tool. Its use cases include exact simulation of quantum circuits and contraction of tensor networks.
6: Intel
Intel researchers have been working toward delivering a full-stack commercial quantum system for the past six years.
Its Horse Ridge II cryogenic quantum control chip provides tighter integration, while the cryoprober enables high-volume testing that is helping to accelerate commercialisation.
In February 2023 Intel released a software platform for developers to build quantum algorithms that can eventually run on a quantum computer that the chip giant is trying to build.
5: Amazon
Amazon Braket is a fully managed quantum computing service designed to help speed up scientific research and software development for quantum computing.
The company offers developers access to quantum computers from the likes of IonQ, Oxford Quantum Circuits, Rigetti and D-Wave. The company is also already running the AWS Center for Quantum Computing in Pasadena, California, and the Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab.
4: Microsoft
Microsoft is working to deliver quantum at scale by engineering a unique, stable qubit and bringing a full-stack, fault-tolerant quantum machine to Azure
For decades, Microsoft has been doing basic quantum physics research to solve some of society's largest, most complex challenges.
Microsoft has all the building blocks of a topological qubit—a new and unique qubit that will be faster, smaller, and more reliable than other qubits. In time, Microsoft believes topological qubits will power Microsoft's fully scalable, highly secure, next-generation quantum computer.
Its Azure cloud platform gives companies access to quantum resources without the high expenses and infrastructure costs that typically come with it, where users can also access resources from QCI, Honeywell, Toshiba, IONQ and 1Qloud.
3: D-wave
A leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services, D-Wave’s systems use a process called quantum annealing to search for solutions to a problem, enabling customers to solve larger and more complex problems and get higher-quality answers for real-world problems faster.
Some of the world’s most sophisticated enterprises employ D-Wave systems, including Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames, Volkswagen, USRA, USC and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
2: Google
Google Quantum AI is advancing the state of the art of quantum computing and developing the tools for researchers to operate beyond classical capabilities.
From its campus in Santa Barbara, the Google Quantum AI lab’s objective is to create a quantum computer that can tackle real-world problems.
Earlier this year, Quantum AI researchers experimentally demonstrated that it’s possible to reduce errors by increasing the number of qubits, representing a significant shift in how quantum computers are operated.
Cirq, Google’s open source framework, is specifically designed for developing novel quantum algorithms for near-term quantum computers.
1: IBM
IBM is leading the world in quantum computing. Since becoming the first to offer cloud-based quantum computing access, IBM is continuing to release new versions of its quantum computing technologies, and plans to release a 1,000-qubit chip, Condor, at the end of 2023.
The company’s community of clients and partners comprises more than 210 Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, national labs, and startups.
With the largest fleet of 20+ of the most powerful quantum systems in the world, IBM is aiming to turn the world’s most challenging problems into valuable opportunities.
Its Quantum Accelerator programme is IBM’s full-service offering for clients looking to build on access offered by the Premium Plan. Accelerator clients get personalised support plans to fully prepare for the coming impact of quantum on their industries.
