DARPA Selects IBM for Second Phase of Quantum Benchmarking Program - The Fast Mode

IBM announced it has been selected for Stage B, the second of three stages of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative led by DARPA, the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. As the independent research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA’s work focuses on identifying, creating, and supporting transformational, high-reward technologies for national security. In 2024, DARPA launched the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) to determine the feasibility of building an industrially fault-tolerant quantum computer whose computational value exceeds its cost. The program is designed to rigorously validate and verify multiple approaches towards delivering such a quantum computer by 2033. QBI aims to support the Stage B “performers’” ongoing research and development efforts through third-party verification and validation of their strategy. As part of the initiative, IBM is also aiming to explore novel approaches to scaling control systems for quantum computers with SEEQC. Each successful QBI performer will progress through three stages of the program: Stage A required an initial technical concept of a cost-effective, fault-tolerant quantum computer that has a plausible path to realization in the near term. Stage A performers were announced in April 2025. Announced today, Stage B called for a comprehensive research and development plan capable of realizing such a quantum computer, as well as the risks associated with this plan and mitigation approaches. Stage C, according to DARPA, will be when the QBI independent verification and validation (IV&V) team will test the companies’ computer hardware. Visit the DARPA website for more information about the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. IBM’s progression to Stage B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative is a firm validation of IBM’s approach to delivering a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. IBM has publicly laid out our comprehensive plan and roadmap to scale quantum computers towards fault-tolerance. As the industry advances, we look forward to working with DARPA as they continue an unbiased review of potential viable strategies across the field. Ray Sharma is an Industry Analyst and Editor at The Fast Mode. He has over 15 years of experience in mobile broadband technologies and solutions, conducting research and analysis on various technology segments and producing articles and write-ups on the latest developments within the sector. He is also in charge of social media engagement and industry liaisons. Follow him on LinkedIn or Facebook. He can be reached at ray.sharma@thefastmode.