Useful Quantum Error Correction Expected by 2028

Quantum computing news usually picks up near the end of the year, as companies try to provide evidence that they are hitting benchmarks on time. However, there have been interesting announcements as the summer starts this year, from incremental progress to attention-grabbing promises. As we did earlier this month, Ars has a rundown of some of the most significant announcements.

These include a promise of useful, error-corrected quantum computing as soon as 2028, details on an updated trapped ion processor, and a case in which claims of quantum supremacy have been cut back a bit thanks to advances in more traditional algorithms. Many people in the field expect that useful quantum computers are still about five to 10 years away. While there may be a few useful algorithms that can be run on existing error-prone hardware, almost all of the interesting problems that quantum computing can be applied to will require some form of error correction enabled by linking a small collection of hardware qubits together into what's called a logical qubit.

Logical qubits include the redundant storage of information along with neighboring qubits that can be measured to determine when errors occur and how to fix them. The prospect of useful quantum error correction by 2028 could significantly accelerate the development of practical quantum computing applications. If achieved, this milestone would enable the tackling of complex problems that currently elude classical computers, with far-reaching implications for fields such as cryptography, materials science, and drug discovery.

For developers and businesses, this could mean a shift towards more viable and scalable quantum solutions. However, several open questions remain, including the scalability of error correction techniques and the integration of logical qubits with existing computing infrastructure. As the industry inches closer to this goal, it will be crucial to monitor progress and address these challenges to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.