While quantum computing has become a major topic in the tech industry in recent years, with leading figures such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Microsoft founder Bill Gates weighing in on its development, the key question for Taiwan's tech industry players is identifying their potential opportunities in this emerging field.
According to Norishige Morimoto, vice president, and chief technology officer of IBM Japan, quantum computer systems contain more than proprietary quantum chips: Taiwanese companies can seek opportunities in the more than 200 crucial components required in such systems, ranging from cables and connectors to signal amplifiers, as well as attenuators and cooling systems. Moreover, based on IBM's previous PC and AI initiatives, adopting an open strategy can help expand related ecosystems.
During a quantum industry seminar held on February 12, 2025, at the Center for Condensed Matter Sciences at National Taiwan University, Morimoto confirmed IBM's plans to collaborate with Taiwanese companies in the development of quantum computing. He emphasized that quantum projects require collaboration between partners in both academia and the industrial sector. As evidence, 23 entities are currently involved in a project in Japan, with some exploring potential applications, while others assist IBM in advancing hardware development.
Opportunities in quantum system components for Taiwanese firms
While the proprietary chips in quantum computing systems are developed by IBM due to their technical significance and complexity, Morimoto emphasizes more than 200 other key components where other companies can pursue opportunities, including cables, connectors, signal amplifiers, as well as attenuators and cooling systems.
Many components need to be redesigned for use in the extremely low-temperature environment of 10 millikelvin (mK) in quantum systems, with size and signal level requirements being substantially more precise. Despite these challenges, very few companies and institutions worldwide can take part in quantum development. However, since Taiwan's semiconductor industry is already capable of producing transistors smaller than the COVID-19 virus, Morimoto sees strong potential for partnerships with Taiwanese companies.
According to available data, IBM's Q System One quantum computer has already been deployed in collaborating institutions in the US, Japan, Germany, Canada, and South Korea, with Spain to be added in 2025. IBM Q Network global business development leader Kenneth Wood explains that initial deployment prioritized countries with academic and research institutions to support the development. He notes that partners in Japan include the University of Tokyo and Keio University, adding that some institutions might have questions at the beginning, necessitating back-and-forth discussions with IBM.
Open-source approach facilitates broader ecosystem
In addition to hardware innovation, IBM has released the Qiskit software development kit (SDK), which has been adopted by a range of other quantum platforms, including AQT, IQM, Microsoft Azure Quantum, Alice & Bob, IonQ, Amazon Braket, Superstaq, Quantinuum, and Rigetti.
During the seminar, Etron Technology chairman Nicky Lu inquired about IBM's quantum computing project's approach to open-source versus closed-source development. Morimoto replied that IBM aims to promote open standards, much as the IBM PC standard was adopted by other companies in the 1980s and 1990s, including many Taiwanese manufacturers. Following in the footsteps of recent open-source models, the Qiskit SDK can be downloaded from open-source platforms, although some key technologies will remain proprietary.
Furthermore, Morimoto noted that closed-source technologies hinder ecosystem expansion. He cited IBM's Watson AI system, launched in 2011, as an example that ultimately failed because external users had only limited access to it. Given the rapid advancement of AI, companies that stick to a single proprietary technology intending to turn a profit will often fail, which is why IBM ultimately chose to adopt an open-source approach.
Article translated by Kevin Wang
