QBI: Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

QBI goals

In the simplest terms, the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) seeks to determine whether it’s possible to build an industrially-useful computer by 2033. Specifically, QBI is designed to rigorously verify and validate whether any quantum computing approach can achieve utility-scale operation — meaning its computational value exceeds its cost.

QBI is not a competition between performers: DARPA is interested in evaluating all viable approaches for which there is available funding. Successful performers will progress through three stages: 

• Stage A: Describe a utility-scale quantum computer concept that has a plausible path to realization in the near term.
• Stage B: Describe a Research and Development Plan capable of realizing the utility-scale quantum computer, the risks associated with that plan and the planned risk mitigation steps, and the prototypes needed to burn down these risks. | Learn more about Stage B teams
• Stage C: Work with the Government to Verify and Validate that their utility-scale quantum computer concept can be constructed as designed and operated as intended. 

In addition to funding performers, QBI will add value to their ongoing research and development efforts by providing unbiased third-party verification and validation of an organization’s path to a utility-scale quantum computer. QBI will also effectively communicate the results of this verification and validation effort to other U.S. government stakeholders. 

QBI is an expansion of the existing DARPA Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC). QBI is separate from but related to the existing Quantum Benchmarking (QB) program, which sought to determine the yardstick for impact.