INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

QUANTUM COMPUTING

The acquisition brings together two leading organizations with a shared commitment to advancing the frontiers of science and technology. HRL’ s expertise in silicon-spin qubits complements IBM’ s leadership in superconducting quantum computing. The combination broadens the range of quantum technologies and advanced research capabilities available across the two organizations.

HRL also brings capabilities in quantum sensing, quantum materials, cryogenics, control electronics, packaging and interconnect technologies that are expected to strengthen IBM’ s quantum hardware roadmap and support continued innovation across the quantum technology stack.

The deal adds those capabilities as IBM continues work on the hardware, software and supporting technologies required for increasingly capable quantum systems. It also brings HRL’ s research and development expertise into IBM as the company advances its longer-term quantum computing roadmap.

IBM continues to advance superconducting-qubit architectures through breakthroughs in hardware, error correction, software and algorithms designed to enable increasingly capable quantum systems.

IBM’ s roadmap includes its fault-tolerant quantum computer IBM Quantum Starling, expected by 2029 to perform 100 million quantum operations and deliver significantly greater computational capability than today’ s quantum computers. Starling is expected to be followed by Blue Jay, IBM’ s next-generation fault-tolerant quantum computer, targeted for the mid-2030s.

The acquisition therefore combines HRL’ s silicon-spin qubit expertise with IBM’ s work in superconducting quantum computing while adding capabilities that extend beyond quantum computing itself. These include sensing, materials, cryogenics, electronics, packaging, interconnect technologies, advanced communications and manufacturing.

The acquisition also complements IBM’ s broader innovation and investment in quantum manufacturing and infrastructure. HRL’ s expertise in silicon-based quantum technologies creates opportunities for future collaboration with Anderon, IBM’ s pureplay quantum wafer foundry, supporting scalable manufacturing approaches and accelerating learning cycles across multiple quantum computing modalities.

The potential collaboration with Anderon is focused on scalable manufacturing approaches and learning across different quantum computing modalities. HRL’ s silicon-based quantum expertise will sit alongside IBM’ s superconducting-qubit work as the company develops future systems and the infrastructure required to support them.

The acquisition gives IBM additional expertise across several parts of the quantum technology stack as it works towards fault-tolerant systems. HRL’ s capabilities cover both computing and sensing, alongside materials science and technologies involved in building and connecting advanced hardware. The combined organization will also continue relationships with Boeing and General Motors while pursuing future quantum applications and advanced technology development across research, manufacturing and infrastructure.

IBM said the transaction had now completed, with financial terms remaining undisclosed.

The transaction also maintains links with HRL’ s former owners. Boeing and General Motors, HRL’ s former owners, will continue to partner with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development.

Their continuing involvement will support work on quantum applications and advanced technologies following completion of the acquisition, while HRL becomes part of IBM’ s wider quantum research, development, manufacturing and infrastructure activities.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. •

32

INTELLIGENT CIO NORTH AMERICA www. intelligentcio. com