DARPA has moved Atom Computing, Diraq, IBM and IonQ into the final stage of its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, which tests whether any quantum approach can reach utility scale by 2033. They join Microsoft and PsiQuantum.
DARPA announced on 7 Oct that four more organizations have advanced to Stage C of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI): Atom Computing (neutral atoms), Diraq (silicon CMOS spin qubits), IBM (modular superconducting processors) and IonQ (trapped ions). QBI defines utility scale as computational value exceeding cost and asks whether any approach can reach it by 2033. In Stage C, DARPA’s evaluation team tests whether the proposed systems can be built and operated as designed. IBM says it expects to deliver its first fault-tolerant system in 2029. DARPA has not validated that date. Neither announcement gives funding figures.