October 24, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO — IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced Friday a significant achievement. It successfully ran a key quantum computing error-correction algorithm on widely available chips. These chips are from Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD). This achievement marks a major step toward making quantum computing more practical. It also makes it more commercially viable.
The breakthrough demonstrates that IBM’s algorithm addresses one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing, which is error correction. It shows that the algorithm can be executed efficiently on conventional hardware. This means it does not rely solely on specialized quantum chips.
IBM’s achievement is significant. It competes with Microsoft and Google. Both companies are racing to establish dominance in the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing. Google unveiled its own new algorithm earlier this week, intensifying the competition among the tech giants.
Quantum Leap with Conventional Hardware
Quantum computers process data using qubits. Qubits can represent multiple states simultaneously. This is unlike classical bits that are limited to ones and zeros. This capability enables them to solve extremely complex problems. For example, they can simulate interactions among trillions of atoms. They do this in far less time than traditional computers.
However, qubits are notoriously unstable, and even minor disturbances can introduce errors that render computations unreliable. IBM’s error-correction algorithm was first revealed in June. It is designed to counteract these issues. The algorithm works alongside quantum processors to stabilize calculations.
IBM demonstrated . This is according to a research paper reviewed by Reuters and set for publication Monday. It runs on an AMD field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This is a type of flexible, reconfigurable chip that’s commonly used in computing hardware.
‘Ten Times Faster Than Needed’
Jay Gambetta, director of IBM Research, said the results demonstrate the algorithm’s functionality under practical conditions. It also performs significantly faster than expected.
“Implementing it is a big deal. Demonstrating that the implementation is ten times faster than necessary is a major achievement,” Gambetta told Reuters.
He added that running the algorithm on a widely available AMD chip is possible. This AMD chip is not “ridiculously expensive.” It proves that IBM’s approach can be scaled cost-effectively.
IBM’s Quantum Roadmap Ahead of Schedule
IBM has outlined an ambitious plan to build a fully operational quantum computer, codenamed Starling, by 2029. Gambetta noted that the progress announced Friday was achieved a full year ahead of schedule.
Following the announcement, IBM shares rose 7.88% to close at $397.46, while AMD stock gained 7.63% to finish at $252.92.
Industry Context
The advance underscores growing confidence in hybrid systems. These systems combine classical computing components with quantum processors. They could accelerate the path toward commercial quantum computing.
IBM’s use of off-the-shelf AMD chips could also make error correction more accessible to researchers. It also benefits developers. This will accelerate the transition from laboratory experiments to real-world applications.
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