IBM has a long history of technological breakthroughs from building the first large-scale digital computer in 1944 to inventing the magnetic stripe on credit cards in the 1970s. Now, it’s chasing a new frontier: commercial-grade quantum computing.

On August 26th, IBM announced a strategic partnership with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to combine forces in developing next-generation computing systems. The collaboration merges IBM’s deep expertise in quantum research with AMD’s high-performance chips, which already power the U.S. Department of Energy’s record-breaking "Frontier" supercomputer.

Unlike classical computers that use bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use qubits that can exist in multiple states at once. With phenomena like superposition and entanglement, they can perform certain calculations exponentially faster than traditional machines, potentially solving problems that would take classical systems thousands of years.

IBM’s bold goal is to deliver its first fault-tolerant, commercial-grade quantum computer by 2029. Its "Starling" supercomputer system is designed to correct quantum errors in real time, allowing 100 million logical operations on 200 logical qubits, a feat no system today can achieve.

The AMD partnership strengthens IBM’s ability to reach that milestone. AMD’s CPUs, GPUs, and AI accelerators like the Instinct MI350 series will help power hybrid architectures that merge quantum and classical computing for maximum performance.

The implications are huge: faster drug development, more efficient materials, next-gen cybersecurity, improved financial modeling, and accelerated AI research. McKinsey & Company estimates the quantum computing market could leap from $4 billion in 2024 to $72 billion by 2035, and nearly $200 billion by 2040.

As AMD CEO Lisa Su put it: "As we partner with IBM to explore the convergence of high-performance computing and quantum technologies, we see tremendous opportunities to accelerate discovery and innovation."

If successful, the IBM–AMD partnership could bring us closer to a computing revolution where quantum power meets real-world impact.