IBM to build 'Spain's' first quantum computing system

On March 22, IBM announced a contract with the Fundación Ikerbasque (Ikerbasque Foundation) to install and manage a new quantum computer system, including the Qiskit, 127-quantum-bit Eagle chip, in the Basque Country.

IBM plans to complete installation of the system by the end of 2024: The 127-bit system will be located on the main campus of the Ikerbasque Foundation in San Sebastián, Spain, and will be the first quantum system in the country. The system will use quantum computing to advance discoveries and solutions in physics, information science and materials science. It will then coexist with the 30-quantum-bit quantum computer that will be housed at the BSC (Barcelona Supercomputing Center) in 2025.

Spain's Basque Country has a long tradition in high performance computing, having collaborated with IBM since 2000 and installing the Marenostrum supercomputer in a church in Barcelona in 2012.

As a leader in quantum computing research, IBM has now deployed more than 60 quantum computers for external use and has more than 200 members of the IBM Quantum Network - a global community of Fortune 500 companies, startups, academic institutions and research labs a global community of Fortune 500 companies, startups, academic institutions and research labs dedicated to advancing quantum computing and exploring practical applications.

The IBM-Basque Country Quantum Computing Center is the second such IBM Quantum Computing Center to be announced in Europe.

Regarding this strategic placement, Dr. Darío Gil, IBM senior vice president and director of research, said, "The IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Center is further evidence of our commitment to building an open innovation community to solve the most challenging problems of our time. This partnership will bring the full range of IBM's quantum technologies to the world-class scientific and industrial communities of the Basque Country. We are proud to be working with the Basque Country government and partners in the private sector and academia to take innovation to new heights in Spain."

Reference links:

[1]https://www.ruetir.com/2023/03/spain-is-going-to-have-a-127-qubit-quantum-computer-it-will-be-in-the-basque-country-and-will-be -assembled-by-ibm/

[2]https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlfreund/2023/03/24/ibm-to-deploy-quantum-system-in-the-basque-country-of-spain/?sh=20aeece223c5