Four organizations have advanced to the final stage of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), which aims to assess whether any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation by 2033. This initiative is critical as it seeks to determine if the computational value of quantum systems can exceed their operational costs, a key milestone for the future of quantum technology.
During the rigorous Stage B, the QBI evaluated the detailed research and development plans of these organizations, focusing on the technical risks involved and the strategies to mitigate them. The transition to Stage C will involve a collaborative effort between the government evaluation team and the selected organizations to test the feasibility of their proposed utility-scale systems. “Stage B is about putting the performers’ plans under a microscope,” stated QBI Managing Director Micah Stoutimore. “Stage C is where we begin moving from plans to proof.”
Selected Organizations and Their Approaches
The following companies have been selected for Stage C, each employing distinct qubit technology approaches:
- Atom Computing: Boulder, Colorado (scalable arrays of neutral atoms)
- Diraq: Sydney, Australia (silicon CMOS spin qubits)
- IBM: Yorktown Heights, New York (quantum computing with modular superconducting processors)
- IonQ: College Park, Maryland (trapped-ion quantum computing)
These organizations join Microsoft and PsiQuantum, which previously advanced to Stage C after participating in a precursor program, the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC). Notably, QBI is not a competition; it aims to understand the current landscape of commercial quantum computing and evaluate various approaches for their potential to achieve utility-scale operation.
Future Prospects and Ongoing Evaluations
Since its launch in mid-2024, QBI has assessed over 20 companies exploring a range of quantum computing methodologies. The initiative continues to invite new entrants, with Quandela being the most recent addition to Stage A in May 2026. DARPA has also issued solicitations for additional companies to join Stage A, indicating that further advancements into Stage C are anticipated as current participants progress.
Stoutimore emphasized the rapid evolution of the quantum computing field, expressing optimism that a utility-scale quantum computer could be realized by 2033. However, the specific teams or technical approaches that will succeed remain uncertain. “That is exactly why QBI is evaluating each path on its own merits,” he noted, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to fostering innovation in quantum technology.
For more information on the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, visit DARPA’s official page on the program here.
As the QBI progresses, the implications for secure communications, computational capabilities, and defense technology could be profound, potentially reshaping the landscape of cybersecurity and intelligence operations in the coming years.
