IBM Advances to Stage C of DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

The selection moves IBM beyond conceptual assessments into independent verification of its quantum hardware.

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM (IBM) has been selected for Stage C, the third phase of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, moving into independent hardware testing.

IBM completed the first two stages, which assessed technical concepts, research and development plans, and risk mitigation approaches. Stage C's independent experts will test hardware and evaluate engineering and architectures to determine whether IBM can build a fault-tolerant quantum computer, designed to operate despite errors. IBM expects to deliver its first such system, IBM Quantum Starling, in 2029. DARPA's program seeks to determine whether a system whose computational value exceeds its cost can be built by 2033.

3 points · 0 major

PositiveiHow this balance works

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0 major · 1 point

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Moderate pointStage C selection advances IBM into DARPA's independent quantum hardware evaluation.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.IBM expects to deliver its first fault-tolerant system, IBM Quantum Starling, in 2029.
• Minor pointCore hardware components for fault tolerance have been demonstrated.

Negative

• Minor pointIndependent verification remains ahead to determine whether IBM can build a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Key Figures

Initiative stage: Stage C (third phase) Expected system delivery: 2029 Program target: 2033

Initiative stage

Stage C (third phase)

IBM was selected for the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative stage

Expected system delivery

2029

IBM's stated expectation for its first fault-tolerant system

Program target

2033

DARPA's target for determining whether an industrially useful fault-tolerant quantum computer can be built

Key Terms

fault-tolerant quantum computer, error correction, independent verification and validation

3 terms

fault-tolerant quantum computer technical

"determine if a company can build a fault-tolerant quantum computer"

A fault-tolerant quantum computer is a type of quantum machine designed to keep working correctly even when its basic parts make mistakes, by detecting and fixing errors while it runs. Think of it like a ship with self-repairing systems so it can complete long voyages without breaking down; for investors, achieving fault tolerance is the milestone that could turn experimental quantum devices into reliable tools that accelerate complex calculations, create new products, and disrupt industries — but it also requires major technical and capital investment.

error correction technical

"Starling will combine advances in error correction, processor design"

An error correction is a market move that reverses a recent, often exaggerated price change to bring a stock or other security closer to its underlying value, like a course correction on a boat steering back after an oversteer. Investors watch error corrections because they can signal that a prior rally or sell-off was driven more by emotion or technical trading than fundamental news, creating potential buying or selling opportunities and affecting short‑term risk.

independent verification and validation technical

"DARPA's QBI independent verification and validation (IV&V) team"

Independent verification and validation is a third-party review process where an outside expert checks that a product, system or study was built correctly (verification) and actually does what it is supposed to do in real-world use (validation). Like hiring an independent inspector to confirm a house was built to code and is livable, IV&V reduces the risk of costly defects, regulatory problems or safety issues and gives investors greater confidence in the reliability of claims, timelines and future cash flows.

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IBM moves to third phase of DARPA's rigorous evaluation of approaches to building a fault-tolerant quantum computer

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has been selected for Stage C, the third phase of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) led by DARPA, the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. This phase will advance IBM through DARPA's verification process, in which independent experts extensively test and measure quantum hardware, technology, systems engineering, and architectures to determine if a company can build a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

"Advancing to the third stage of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative validates the strength of IBM's path to building a fault-tolerant quantum computer," said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. "IBM expects to deliver the first fault-tolerant system in 2029, and we plan to scale the value of quantum computing well beyond that timeline. We look forward to working with DARPA's team of experts as they advance their review of approaches to fault-tolerant quantum computing into the testing phase."

As an independent research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA launched the QBI in 2024 to determine whether an industrially useful fault-tolerant quantum computer can be built by 2033. The program defines such a system as one whose computational value will exceed its cost. IBM has successfully progressed through the QBI's assessment process, including the first two stages that analyzed comprehensive R&D plans and risk mitigation approaches.

IBM has built the strongest quantum foundation in the industry, anchored by the largest fleet of quantum computers across the globe and Qiskit, the world's most popular quantum software. IBM's quantum computers are already being used today as scientific tools by a network of more than 340 organizations across financial services, healthcare, materials science, academia, and government as they build industrial applications and pursue algorithms to unlock the full potential of fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Last year, IBM laid out its plans to deliver the world's first fault-tolerant quantum computer, IBM Quantum Starling. Starling will combine advances in error correction, processor design, systems engineering, and more. Since then, IBM's progression has remained on course, including the demonstration of core hardware components for fault tolerance and breakthroughs in efficient error correction decoding.

Advancing to Stage C

Each successful QBI performer has progressed through three stages of the program thus far:

• Stage A required organizations to submit an initial technical concept of a cost-effective, fault-tolerant quantum computer that has a plausible path to realization in the near term. Several Stage A performers were announced in April 2025.
• Stage B called for a comprehensive research and development plan from each company detailing how to realize such a quantum computer, as well as the risks associated with this plan and mitigation approaches.
• Announced today, those selected for Stage C will move beyond conceptual plans and progress to evaluation by DARPA's QBI independent verification and validation (IV&V) team as they test the companies' hardware.

Alongside its participation in QBI, IBM continues to collaborate with partners across industry, government, and academia to accelerate the timeline toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.

For more information about the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, visit the DARPA website.

About IBM

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

For more information, visit https://research.ibm.com.

Media contacts:

Erin Angelini
IBM
edlehr@us.ibm.com

Chris Nay
IBM
cnay@us.ibm.com
 

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SOURCE IBM

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What does IBM's selection for DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Stage C mean?

IBM will move beyond conceptual assessments into independent testing and evaluation. DARPA's verification team will test hardware and assess technology, systems engineering and architectures to determine whether IBM can build a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

When does IBM expect to deliver its first fault-tolerant quantum computer?

IBM expects to deliver its first fault-tolerant quantum system in 2029. The planned system is IBM Quantum Starling; the timing remains an expectation rather than a completed milestone.