GoKawiilIBM pushes back multi-chip quantum link, adds 500-qubit Nighthawk variant
IBM used its Quantum Developer's Conference to update its quantum computing roadmap, saying it still aims to build error-corrected quantum computers by 2029. The company is expanding its next-generation Nighthawk processor line with a version exceeding 500 programmable qubits, while scaling back plans to link multiple Nighthawk chips together from nine down to two, keeping total planned qubit counts for next year unchanged. IBM also highlighted performance gains from hardware-based qubit resets introduced in the September Nighthawk release.
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The shift from linking nine processors to just two suggests IBM found that approach harder to execute than expected, even as it tries to preserve its overall qubit targets by boosting single-chip capacity instead. IBM's dual-track strategy—separating near-term usable processors from the specialized hardware needed for error correction—indicates the company is hedging between commercial usability today and the longer technical path to fault-tolerant machines later this decade.
- IBM still targets error-corrected quantum computers before 2030.
- Linked-processor plans were scaled back from nine to two systems, with a new 500+ qubit Nighthawk variant compensating.
- Hardware-based qubit resets added in September are credited with notable performance improvements.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-11-11
Published there as: “IBM to offer access to a dual-processor quantum system in 2027”
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