A quantum computer developed by one of the world’s largest technology companies is to be hooked up to the internet to answer questions from scientists and members of the public.
The computer, which is housed in the IBM laboratory in New York, will be accessible through the Cloud on smartphones and desktop computers.
Quantum computers can work faster than classic ones because they are able to answer several questions at once, rather than working through them sequentially. Scientists believe that they could help to unlock new forms of artificial intelligence and create new types of materials.
The field of quantum computing is relatively new and the computers are generally found in research institutions. However, IBM’s processor will be available to anyone in the world with an internet connection.
Classic computers use “bits” to process information, whereas quantum computers use “qubits”. A quantum computer with the power of 50 qubits would be faster than any supercomputer on the planet.
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Stefan Filipp, a researcher at the company, said: “You will be able to solve problems that can’t be solved on a classic computer.”
He said the processor was being put online to help researchers determine whether quantum computing could be useful in their field.
Arvind Krishna, director of IBM Research, said it would “make it easier for researchers and the scientific community to accelerate innovations in the quantum field, and help discover new applications for this technology”.