Barron’s Guide to Butchering IBM Quantum
And The Quantum Dragon's Guide to Trimming It
Barron’s “How Quantum Computing Could Put IBM Back on Top Again” is paywalled, but you may be able to catch this gem near the top: “IBM has deployed 85 quantum systems to over 300 organizations, including 25 systems with more than 100 logical qubits, outpacing competitors like Google.” This information is partially corrected if you read the article in its entirety, but gee whiz that’s wrong.
IBM claims to have deployed 85 systems just to its cloud, not in total. 300+ organizations refers to the IBM Quantum Network, shortchanging IBM because systems on its “open” plan are accessible to everyone. The larger systems have 100+ physical qubits, not logical qubits. 25 might be right, but non-partners have only seen 15. Google has only deployed 2 to its cloud, so “outpaced” is a bit understated.
This week’s premium content:
- 2-Qubit Grover’s
- When will quantum computers become useful?
- Google’s Willow Quantum Virtual Machine
- Kvantify Qrunch
In this edition:
- From Circuits to Chandeliers: [Google’s] Quantum History
- The XPRIZE for Quantum Simulation Applications?
- What’s the difference between quantum computing and real estate?
- “The Voice of Reason”
- I see (live) people.
- Quantum Computer Guts
- Forecasting the Quantum Computer Market
- I agreed with myself….
- The Greatest Quantum Physics Essay Ever Written
- A Black Cat on a Tricycle, Evading Cops
- The Dracarys Award: Classiq Quantum AI
- Super Mario and Curiosity Creep
- Spider-Man Leveraging Symmetry Merging in Pauli Propagation
From Circuits to Chandeliers: [Google’s] Quantum History
In this 4-minute video, 2025 Nobel Laureate Michel Devoret provides a brief history of superconducting quantum computing, naturally focused on Google as a Chief Scientist over there. Interestingly, he talks about quantum computers becoming useful tools and only mentions chemistry and materials science as use cases.
The XPRIZE for Quantum Simulation Applications?
I’m looking at the 7 finalists for Google’s and GESDA’s XPRIZE, and Calbee Quantum, Gibbs Samplers, Phasecraft, Xanadu, and Q4Proteins are all focused on simulations. Only The QuMIT and QuantumForGraphproblem aren’t. It’s worth noting that they all only have “the potential to… outperform classical computers.”
What’s the difference between quantum computing and real estate?
Laurent Prost of Alice & Bob provides a comparison of these two very different industries. This link may require a LinkedIn account.
“The Voice of Reason”
I have been referring to QuEra’s Dr. Nate Gemelke as “The Voice of Reason” since this video, a panel hosted by Prof. John Preskill, specifically starting at 32:18. So, when Dr. Gemelke gives us QuEra’s origin story and tells us “why neutral atoms won,” I set aside the six and a half minutes necessary to listen.
I see (live) people.
And there are opportunities to become one of them.
Quantum Computer Guts
Dr. Dave Hanson shared an image in the aftermath of the Texas Neutral Atom Quantum Computer Massacre, which he seems to affectionately refer to as the “Quantum Technician Deep Dive Bootcamp.” I’ve never seen such carnage. This link may require a LinkedIn account. Click here for older photos from Dr. Megan Ivory.
Forecasting the Quantum Computer Market
This article by Lawrence Gasman is primarily about a co-packaged optics (CPO) market report, but he makes some points by drawing parallels to the quantum computer market. Those who are consumers of quantum computer market reports might find these insights interesting.
I agreed with myself….
The Quantum Dragon read Dr. Bob Sutor’s post over my shoulder, and he’s so proud of his godfather. This link may require a LinkedIn account.
The Greatest Quantum Physics Essay Ever Written
If AI weren’t involved in writing this essay, this is absolutely spectacular writing. But even if AI was involved, shame on the student, the idea behind it is brilliant.
A Black Cat on a Tricycle, Evading Cops
This video clip by Quantum Formalism will convince you, once and for all, that I am utterly unimaginative in comparison. This link may require a LinkedIn account.
The Dracarys Award: Classiq Quantum AI
For withstanding The Quantum Dragon’s relentless assault, I do hereby proclaim Classiq Quantum AI the fourth recipient of The Dracarys Award.
Super Mario and Curiosity Creep
I don’t recognize this Super Mario scene, but it still counts. Quantum Formalism calls curiosity creep “one of the most common challenges beginners face when learning abstract mathematics.” There’s a short post with a link to a podcast. This link may require a LinkedIn account.
Spider-Man Leveraging Symmetry Merging in Pauli Propagation
The paper does not actually include Spider-Man in its title, but one of its authors invoked Spider-Man in a Bluesky post sharing a link to the paper.
Filed under: Quantum Computing • IBM • Google
