The US government has awarded $2 billion to quantum computing companies, with IBM among the recipients. The funding is one of the largest federal investments in the emerging technology.
The Size of the Bet
The money will go to a group of quantum computing firms, though the government hasn't named every recipient. IBM, which has operated a public quantum cloud service for years, is confirmed as one of the winners. The award covers multiple projects and is expected to be disbursed over time.
Why Quantum Computing Matters
Quantum computers use qubits to perform calculations that would take classical machines years or centuries. The technology is still in its early stages, but the federal government sees it as critical to national security and economic competitiveness. This $2 billion award is a signal that Washington is ready to spend big to keep the US ahead in the race.
IBM's Quantum Track Record
IBM has been a visible player in quantum since it put a 5-qubit processor on the cloud in 2016. The company now offers a 127-qubit chip and has laid out a roadmap toward a 1,000-qubit system. How much of the new funding will flow into those plans isn't clear. IBM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The award comes as other nations, including China and the European Union, pour billions into quantum research. The US government has not said when the next round of funding will be announced or how the recipients were chosen.
