NEWS
IBM and University of Chicago demonstrate quantum advantage with trusted error-corrected computing breakthrough
IBM and researchers at the University of Chicago have demonstrated what they described as‘ quantum advantage’, showing a quantum computer outperforming leading classical computing methods on a trusted computation while introducing a new approach to verifying the accuracy of the results.
The research presented a novel method of constructing encoded quantum circuits that combined large-scale logical quantum computing with built-in error detection. The team said the technique retained the computational difficulty of random circuit sampling while allowing errors to be identified during processing, addressing one of quantum computing’ s longstanding verification challenges.
Researchers executed 70 logical qubits protected by error correction, completing 2,415 logical two-qubit operations and 468 logical T gates, making it one of the largest logical quantum computing demonstrations to date.
Bill Fefferman, Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of Chicago, said:“ Verification remains one of the biggest challenges in firmly establishing experimental quantum advantage.”
IBM Research director and IBM Fellow Jay Gambetta said:“ We are now firmly in the quantum advantage era.”
The quantum computer completed the task in about 15 minutes. According to the researchers, comparable classical simulation approaches would require impractical runtimes, reinforcing the system’ s performance advantage.
The breakthrough could strengthen confidence in future quantum computing applications by providing a more reliable framework for validating increasingly complex calculations as larger, faulttolerant systems continue to emerge for scientific, industrial and commercial use. The findings provide researchers, developers and enterprises with evidence that scalable quantum systems can tackle previously intractable computational problems.
Agility opens Silicon Valley Physical AI hub to advance Digit humanoid robot development
Agility has opened a new 60,000-square-foot facility in Fremont, California, to accelerate development of Physical AI technologies powering its humanoid robot, Digit, as the company expands commercial deployments.
The Silicon Valley site will serve as Agility’ s software and capabilities hub, bringing together hardware engineers, AI and machine learning specialists and field operations teams to train, test and refine the technologies that enable Digit to learn new skills and perform increasingly complex workplace tasks.
The new centre complements the company’ s RoboFab manufacturing operation in Salem, Oregon, creating a development base. Nearly 200 existing and new employees will work from the facility, supporting development of nextgeneration AI capabilities designed to improve safety and productivity for enterprise customers.
Chief executive Peggy Johnson said the Silicon Valley location places Agility within one of the world’ s leading AI innovation ecosystems, enabling the company to develop new capabilities into customer operations.
Agility currently has Digit deployments with Schaeffler, GXO, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and Mercado Libre. The company said it has secured more than US $ 300 million in multi-year orders for Digit v5, subject to contractual milestones, alongside a pipeline of more than 30 customers preparing large-scale humanoid robot deployments.
Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan welcomed the investment, saying the facility reinforces the city’ s reputation as a centre for advanced manufacturing and robotics while bringing nearly 200 skilled jobs to the region. Agility said the expansion will help meet growing enterprise demand for AI-powered humanoid robots capable of safely performing repetitive and physically demanding tasks alongside human workers.•
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