IBM Says the Future of Computing Will Not Be Purely Quantum

Tech giant IBM (IBM) says that the future of computing will not be purely quantum or purely classical, but a combination of both. Rather than replacing today’s computers, quantum systems are expected to work alongside CPUs and GPUs to tackle problems that are currently too complex to solve. This approach, known as quantum-centric supercomputing, is already being tested, and recent research shows that combining different types of processors can improve performance.

Indeed, CPUs manage general tasks and coordinate workloads, GPUs handle large numbers of calculations, and quantum processing units (QPUs) address problems that would require unrealistically large amounts of memory on classical machines. Some quantum circuits, for example, would need matrices so large that even advanced GPUs could not simulate them efficiently. By splitting work between classical systems and QPUs, researchers can reduce complexity and speed up calculations.

In fact, early results from using hybrid algorithms have shown performance gains of up to 100 times compared with CPU-only approaches. Researchers are also using classical systems, including GPUs, to help improve the accuracy of today’s quantum computers. For instance, new techniques use classical models to reduce noise and correct errors in quantum results, thereby making larger and more complex experiments possible. According to IBM, this hybrid approach could eventually support fault-tolerant quantum computing and lead to advances in fields such as chemistry, materials science, and physics.

Is IBM a Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on IBM stock based on 13 Buys, four Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average IBM price target of $336.65 per share implies 9.8% upside potential.

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