IBM’s Qiskit Functions Catalog: Making Quantum Computing More Accessible and User-Friendly
Quantum computing has made significant strides in recent years, with the current generation of machines becoming more powerful and error-corrected. While we may still be a few years away from having quantum computers that can run algorithms too complex for classical computers, we have reached a point where these machines are usable for a limited set of experiments. However, the challenge lies in writing applications for quantum hardware.
To address this challenge, IBM has launched the Qiskit Functions Catalog, a set of services designed to simplify programming quantum computers by abstracting away many of the complexities involved. This new offering aims to enable domain experts who may not have expertise in managing quantum computers to start using quantum computing for their specific needs.
IBM’s Qiskit, launched in 2017, is one of the leading quantum programming frameworks, alongside Microsoft’s Q# and Google’s Cirq. However, Qiskit has gained the largest mindshare among developers. The Functions Catalog is built on the idea of creating a library of functions that developers can call upon in their Qiskit-based applications. The goal is to make it easier for non-quantum computing experts to leverage the innovations in the quantum computing ecosystem and apply them to their own problems.
IBM is collaborating with various partners, including Qedma, Q-CRTL, Algorithmiq, and Qunasys, to create this library of functions. These partners are contributing services that focus on areas such as error mitigation in noisy systems and solving fundamental chemistry-related problems. By working with the wider quantum computing industry, IBM aims to drive progress and innovation in software and hardware, ultimately delivering a simplified developer experience that unlocks the full potential of quantum computing.
Jay Gambetta, IBM’s VP in charge of its quantum programs, believes that the Functions Catalog is a significant development in the quantum computing landscape. He compares its impact to when the company first put the computer on the cloud, expanding the possibilities for users and allowing them to focus on their workflows without worrying about the intricate details of quantum gates and circuits. Gambetta emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in both software and hardware, combined with contributions from the partner ecosystem, to drive a simplified developer experience and fully harness the power of quantum computing.
It’s worth noting that IBM is not targeting enterprise developers with this release. Instead, the focus is on expanding the technical breadth of users who can benefit from quantum computing, starting from physicists and computational scientists to chemists and computer scientists. The Functions Catalog aims to democratize access to quantum computing, enabling a wider range of experts to tap into its potential.
In addition to the Functions Catalog, IBM has also introduced Benchpress, a set of new benchmarks for quantum software development kits (SDKs). Through over 1,000 tests, IBM compared Qiskit against other popular SDKs like BQSKit, Braket, Cirq, Stak, and TKET. Qiskit, which IBM has been rewriting in Rust for improved performance, outperformed the other SDKs in various aspects. For example, it was 13 times faster in transpiling and producing circuits and created more efficient circuits overall.
The launch of the Qiskit Functions Catalog and Benchpress demonstrates IBM’s commitment to advancing the field of quantum computing and making it more accessible to a broader range of users. By abstracting away complexities and providing benchmarks for comparison, IBM is empowering developers and researchers to explore the potential of quantum computing without being hindered by technical barriers.
As the quantum computing industry continues to evolve, initiatives like the Qiskit Functions Catalog will play a crucial role in driving innovation and adoption. With the collective efforts of industry leaders and the broader quantum computing community, we can expect quantum computing to become a transformative technology with far-reaching applications across various domains.
