IBM Runs Quantum Error Algorithm on Common AMD Chips

IBM has taken a major step in making quantum computing more practical and accessible. On Friday, the company announced that it successfully ran a key quantum error correction algorithm on commonly available chips from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). This development moves the tech giant closer to commercializing quantum computers capable of solving problems far beyond the reach of conventional machines.

Quantum computers, which rely on qubits instead of traditional bits, can perform calculations involving trillions of atoms or simulate chemical reactions that would take classical computers thousands of years. However, qubits are notoriously prone to errors, which can undermine the usefulness of a quantum processor. IBM’s algorithm is designed to correct these errors in real time, ensuring stable and reliable computations.

Earlier this year, IBM revealed the creation of this algorithm, aiming to address one of the biggest hurdles in quantum computing. The latest breakthrough shows the algorithm running efficiently on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) produced by AMD—a type of chip widely available and significantly less costly than specialized quantum hardware. According to IBM, the implementation operates ten times faster than required, demonstrating both its effectiveness and potential scalability.

This achievement is part of IBM’s broader multi-year plan to build a fully functional quantum computer, named Starling, by 2029. Completing this step a year ahead of schedule highlights the pace at which IBM is advancing in the competitive quantum computing landscape, where rivals such as Microsoft and Google are also pursuing groundbreaking research.

Following the news, IBM’s shares jumped 7.88% to $397.46, while AMD shares gained 7.63% to $252.92, reflecting investor confidence in the potential commercial impact of the technology.

IBM’s successful testing of the algorithm on common AMD chips not only proves the real-world viability of its quantum error correction but also signals a future where quantum computing may become more widely accessible, moving beyond research labs and into practical applications across industries.