IBM is establishing quantum computing technology partnerships in India, including anchoring the new Quantum Valley Tech Park in Andhra Pradesh state to IBM Quantum System Two.
Among its strategic agreements in the tech park is one with Tata Consultancy Services. This collaboration calls for opening Indian industry and academia access to IBM’s cloud-based computers, including quantum computing resources, to support the development of algorithms and applications that will help solve problems of national interest.
National Quantum Mission
Jay Gambetta, IBM Quantum vice president, said the partnership with Tata will stimulate the country’s “thriving ecosystem of developers, scientists and industry experts” in the search for problem-solving technologies and tools. “Combining this with India’s National Quantum Mission, we could see an acceleration of the next critical milestone, a successful demonstration of quantum advantage,” he added.
Elaborating on India’s quantum mission, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister, said the endeavor seeks to turn the country into “a global hub in the quantum industry,” bringing innovation and creating jobs through access to a technology that can solve the “most pressing and complex challenges.”
Largest Quantum Computer
According to IBM, the installation of IBM Quantum System Two, featuring a 156-qubit Heron quantum processor, at Quantum Valley Tech Park would bring in the largest quantum computer in India. Members of the tech park would have access to the quantum computer, subject to export license issuance and definitive agreement closures.
IBM is also gearing up to install its next-generation IBM Quantum Heron quantum processor at the quantum data center it opened in Ehningen, Germany, in October. The data center was initially set up with two of the company’s utility-scale IBM Quantum Eagle-based systems.