IBM Advances to Stage C of DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

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

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Oct. 8, 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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IBM Advances to Stage C of DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Liquide announces a new investment to build and operate a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) and its related infrastructure at its existing Fairfield Facility located in Yennora, New South Wales - Australia. This will enhance local supply chain reliability for industrial and medical gases across Australia.

The new ASU will produce nitrogen and oxygen, critical gases to support the daily operations and long-term growth of key Australian sectors, including food and beverage processing, healthcare and medical facilities, mining and advanced manufacturing.

The ASU is expected to start-up in 2028.

Tim Kehoe, Managing Director of Air Liquide Pacific said: "Expanding our air gas capacity demonstrates Air Liquide's long-term commitment to fueling the growth of Australian industries with essential gases they depend on every day. With the new ASU in New South Wales, we are reinforcing our commitment to serving our customers and enhancing our supply chain resilience."

Air Liquide Australia

Air Liquide Australia started its operations in 1957 and currently employs 400+ employees across Pacific. In Australia, Air Liquide operates air separation plants, CO₂ plants and gas filling facilities. Air Liquide provides innovative and customer-focused solutions and services and supports the Australian economy through a unique blend of advanced equipment, processes & systems, supported by a highly engaged and competent workforce.

Air Liquide is a leader in gases, technologies, and services for numerous economic sectors. As an invisible yet essential cornerstone of industry and healthcare for more than a century, the Group's molecules pave the way for progress by delivering useful and innovative solutions to customers, patients, and society.

Present in 59 countries with approximately 65,000 employees, the Group serves 4.3 million customers and patients. With revenues close to 27 billion euros in 2025 and solid foundations, Air Liquide combines performance with lasting value creation for all its stakeholders. With "Beyond", its strategic plan through 2030, the Group has set an ambitious roadmap to accelerate its profitable growth trajectory and continue inventing the future.

Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good, and Dow Jones Best-in-Class Europe indexes.

Air Liquide is a leader in gases, technologies, and services for numerous economic sectors. As an invisible yet essential cornerstone of industry and healthcare for more than a century, the Group's molecules pave the way for progress by delivering useful and innovative solutions to customers, patients, and society.

Present in 59 countries with approximately 65,000 employees, the Group serves 4.3 million customers and patients. With revenues close to 27 billion euros in 2025 and solid foundations, Air Liquide combines performance with lasting value creation for all its stakeholders. With "Beyond", its strategic plan through 2030, the Group has set an ambitious roadmap to accelerate its profitable growth trajectory and continue inventing the future.

Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good, and Dow Jones Best-in-Class Europe indexes.

 

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Air Liquide to build new Air Separation Unit at its Fairfield facility in New South Wales