IBM’s 50-qubit computer to offer quantum computing services to users

A new quantum computing program from IBM called Q would offer paid quantum computing consulting and services to users. The program was much like IBM's Watson, which used conventional computers, but Q was designed for use with quantum computers.

The 50-qubit quantum computer would be 10 times larger than a 5-qubit system already in use at IBM would be able to do things that conventional computers could not do. According to IBM it would accelerate drug discovery and help make scientific discoveries, IBM said.

According to experts, quantum computers could help advance computing as today's classic computers reached their limit, and as making smaller chips became challenging.

IBMs' quantum computers were meant to show such systems could be built as it aimed to build a universal quantum computer with thousands of qubits to run a wide range of computing tasks.

According to Scott Crowder, vice president and chief technology officer of quantum computing for IBM Systems, the 50-bit quantum computer was a practical enough size to develop algorithms and start solving some real problems.

He added faster computers would also help discover new uses for quantum computers that were previously unexplored.

He added quantum computers were good at solving problems in areas like drug discovery and molecular structures, where different angles to a particular problem, including those not immediately obvious, need to be factored in.

"We will be providing access to quantum systems for selected industry partners starting this year," said Crowder, CNET reported. Crowder is leading the handoff of the quantum computing system from IBM Research to the IBM Systems product team.

Crowder said quantum computers would complement traditional computers, not replace them.

"It'll do the pieces of the problem the classical computer can't."

Though Quantum computing was still in its infancy, even as it matured, one should not expect a quantum-powered iPhone. IBM's quantum computer needed to be cooled a fraction of a degree away from absolute zero, a temperature colder than outer space.