The main themes of the IBM Think 2022 conference that ended included sustainability, innovation and research, talent retention and automation. Big Blue also announced its intention to develop a 4,000+ qubit quantum computer by 2025.
Let’s take a look at the important announcements made at the conference.
Quantum Ambitions.
IBM unveiled its first integrated quantum computer system called IBM Quantum System One in 2019. In 2020, the tech giant announced a plan to build a set of scalable, larger and better processors. At the latest Think conference, IBM revealed its ambitious plan to build a 4158-qubit system by 2025.
“In just two years, our team has made incredible progress on our existing quantum roadmap. Realizing our vision has given us a clear view of the future of quantum technology and what it will take to bring us closer to the era of practical quantum computing,” said Dario Gil, senior vice president, director of research, IBM.
IBM is on a path to seamless development with Qiskit Runtime and workflows embedded in the cloud to bring a serverless approach to IBM’s core quantum software stack. This move aims to achieve a reasonable and efficient distribution of problems between quantum and classical systems and to set the stage for the era of quantum-oriented supercomputers.
So far, IBM has completed its quantum roadmap. The company plans to release its 433-kbit IBM Osprey processor later this year. IBM has also announced the world’s first universal quantum processor with more than 1,000 qubits, the IBM Condor, by 2023.
IBM must solve several problems to reach 4,000 qubits, CEO Arvind Krishna said. Still, he expressed confidence in the tech giant’s 2025 timeline.
The CEO said quantum computing will go beyond experiments by 2025. He cited several uses of quantum computing, such as analyzing materials such as lithium hydride to create better batteries, discovering drugs, etc.
AI adoption and sustainability
According to IBM’s 2022 Global AI Adoption Index, global AI adoption is steadily increasing at 35 percent, up four points from last year. IBM surveyed 7,502 senior executives in countries such as the U.S., China, India, UAE, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Canada, U.K., Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Peru.
About 30% of respondents said artificial intelligence and automation help save time. In addition, about 44% of organizations are working to integrate AI into their current applications and processes.
As many as 74% of companies have not committed resources to reducing AI bias. About 68% have not taken steps to track performance changes and model drift. In addition, the report states that 61% of organizations do not have a mechanism to explain AI decisions.
Most companies surveyed said sustainability is an important aspect of their business. About 64% of respondents said they use AI to accelerate their ESG initiatives. Nearly 36% are investing in AI related to sustainability.
In 2022, one-third of companies said they are using AI to improve the efficiency of business processes and operations.
Staffing shortages and cybersecurity
IBM announced a partnership with six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Specialisterne Foundation. IBM plans to address the shortage of personnel and the cybersecurity crisis through these partnerships.
IBM will give the six HBCUs access to individual years of cybersecurity experience. The idea is to provide immersive learning experiences to enhance the university’s ability to develop top cybersecurity professionals.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Specialisterne Foundation, IBM will offer training to transitioning military personnel for in-demand careers in technology.
