{"id":25719,"date":"2023-11-27T18:47:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T18:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/crypto\/ibm-brings-utility-scale-quantum-computing-to-japan-as-china-and-europe-struggle-to-compete\/"},"modified":"2023-11-27T18:47:23","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T18:47:23","slug":"ibm-brings-utility-scale-quantum-computing-to-japan-as-china-and-europe-struggle-to-compete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/crypto\/ibm-brings-utility-scale-quantum-computing-to-japan-as-china-and-europe-struggle-to-compete\/","title":{"rendered":"IBM brings \u2018utility-scale\u2019 quantum computing to Japan as China and Europe struggle to compete"},"content":{"rendered":"

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IBM announced the completed installation of a 127-qubit quantum computing system at the University of Tokyo on Nov. 27. According to the company, this marks the arrival of the first \u201cutility-scale\u201d quantum system in the region.<\/p>\n

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[Article] The University of Tokyo Completes Installation of 127-Qubit IBM Quantum Eagle Processorhttps:\/\/t.co\/TrFAnEQ3wq<\/p>\n

\u2014 UTokyo | \u6771\u4eac\u5927\u5b66 (@UTokyo_News_en) November 27, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The system, dubbed a \u201cQuantum System One\u201d by IBM and featuring the company\u2019s Eagle processor, was installed as part of an ongoing research partnership between Japan and IBM. According to a blog post from IBM, it will be used to conduct research in various fields, including bioinformatics, materials science and finance.<\/p>\n

Per Hiroaki Aihara, executive vice president of the University of Tokyo:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first time outside North America, a quantum computer with a 127-qubit processor is now available for exclusive use with QII members\u2026 By promoting research in a wide range of fields and realizing social implementation of quantum-related technologies, we aim to make a broad contribution to a future society with diversity and hope.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While Japan and the University of Tokyo reap the benefits of working with a U.S. quantum computing partner, China\u2019s second-largest technology firm, Alibaba, has decided to shutter its own quantum computing laboratory and will reportedly donate its equipment to Zhejiang University.<\/p>\n

Local media reports indicate the Alibaba move is a cost-cutting measure and that dozens of employees associated with the quantum research lab have been laid off. This follows the cancellation of a planned cloud computing spinoff earlier this month, with Alibaba stating that the\u00a0partial United States export ban on computer chips to China has contributed to \u201cuncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: <\/em><\/strong>US official confirms military concerns over China\u2019s access to cloud technology<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The quantum computing sector is expected to grow by more than $5.5 billion between 2023 and 2030, according to estimates from Fortune Business Insights. This has led some experts to worry over the state of quantum computing research in areas outside of the U.S. and China.<\/p>\n

Koen Bertels, founder of quantum computing accelerator QBee and a professor at the University of Ghent in Belgium, recently opined that Europe had already lost the artificial intelligence race and couldn\u2019t afford to lose at quantum computing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to being behind in funding, talent, and strategy,\u201d wrote Bertels, \u201cEurope isn\u2019t only competing against the US.\u201d<\/p>\n