Instead of building a small-scale quantum computer designed primarily for testing and public demonstrations, PsiQuantum is shooting for the moon with a 1 million-quantum-bit machine capable of tackling practical, real-world applications. It’s a future that even leading scientists aren’t sure is possible. But PsiQuantum co-founder Pete Shadbolt, in Chicago recently to share his plans, intends to prove that it is. “It’s like breaking the sound barrier,” Shadbolt said, “… from having systems that are really toys to systems that are commercially valuable.” PsiQuantum is to be the anchor tenant, along with a joint state and U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) facility to test quantum technology prototypes. Earlier this month, IBM announced plans to build a National Quantum Algorithm Center on the site, with help from a $25 million state grant. IBM also has a $100 million joint venture with the University of Chicago and University of Tokyo to build a 100,000-qubit quantum-centric computer.
