IBM launches 53-qubit quantum computer

Next month, IBM will make a 53-qubit quantum computer available to clients via its Q Network quantum cloud computing service. It’s a big step up from the previous 20-qubit machines, of which there are now 5 operational in IBM’s data centers, but that number will grow to 14 soon. All currently available systems are not able to perform any meaningful tasks, however, and the arrival of the 53-qubit machine will change that only marginally. Still, some speculate quantum computers may soon outperform conventional supercomputers in some narrowly-defined task.