IBM Quantum System One: A 1.5m Quantum Computer Revolutionizing Medical Research
IBM and the Cleveland Clinic unveiled the IBM Quantum System One, a quantum computer capable of processing vast amounts of data at high speeds, as reported by Interesting Engineering on March 28. This system is touted as the world’s first quantum computer dedicated to medical research, currently operational at the Cleveland Clinic facility in Ohio.
Inside the IBM Quantum System One. (Photo: IBM).
The IBM Quantum System One stands approximately 1.5 meters tall and is expected to advance medical development, identify treatment methods for complex diseases, discover new molecules for effective drug creation, sequence genes for cancer research, and even create jobs in the technology sector.
“This technology promises to revolutionize the healthcare field and accelerate the pace towards new care, treatment, and solutions for patients. Quantum and other advanced computing technologies will help researchers tackle historical scientific bottlenecks, potentially discovering new treatments for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes,” said Mihaljevic.
The computer is part of a 10-year collaboration program between IBM and the Cleveland Clinic called Discovery Accelerator. “This marks a significant milestone in our partnership with IBM, as we explore new ways to apply the power of quantum computing in healthcare,” stated Tom Mihaljevic, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic.
The goal of the Discovery Accelerator is to enhance medical research and life sciences globally. This collaborative program was announced in 2021, aiming to promote biomedical research by integrating the power of artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid cloud computing, and quantum computing.
Other initiatives within the program include developing a quantum predictive model for post-surgical cardiovascular risks unrelated to heart conditions, using AI for gene sequencing, and searching large databases to assist patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Quantum computers are a rapidly developing technology that utilizes quantum phenomena to solve complex problems that traditional computers cannot address.
