Oliver Dial, CTO of IBM Quantum, joins Mark and Jeremy to Think on Paper about Starling, IBM's most advanced quantum chip, and why fault-tolerant quantum computing is the milestone that matters.

Starling is the first chip designed to move IBM beyond error mitigation and into real-time quantum error correction, targeting a 1:1000 ratio of logical to physical qubits by 2029.

Backed by IBM’s $30 billion investment into quantum computers, Starling marks a shift from raw qubit counts to scalable reliability.

What that means for business, material science, chemistry, physics and financial systems is beyond exciting.

And if you're intimidated by quantum, remember This is Thinking On Paper, so you don’t need a physics degree to follow thi, just a curious mind.

Your reward? You’ll walk away understanding why fault tolerance is the thing that finally makes quantum useful and how IBM intend to get there.

Please enjoy the show. And share with a curious friend.

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Links and resources:

IBM Quantum: ⁠https://quantum.ibm.com/⁠

Starling press release: ⁠https://newsroom.ibm.com/2025-06-10-I...⁠

Blog: ⁠https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/larg...⁠

IBM Roadmap updates: ⁠ • 2025 IBM Quantum Roadmap update ⁠

Follow Thinking On Paper:

Thinking On Paper: ⁠https://www.thinkingonpaper.xyz/⁠

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Chapters

(00:00) IBM's Quantum Investment

(02:11) The IBM Roadmap to Quantum Advantage

(05:00) Error Mitigation vs. Fault Tolerance

(07:47) The Hybrid Quantum-Classical Approach

(10:18) Physical vs. Logical Qubits

(12:45) Magic States and Universal Quantum Computing

(15:15) Loon, Kookaburra & Future IBM Developments and Milestones

(17:12) The Future of IBM Quantum Computing

(19:11) A Day in the Life of an IBM Quantum CTO

(21:25) Building a Quantum Workforce

(23:37) The Intersection of AI and Quantum

(25:40) Practical Applications of Quantum Technology

(28:02) Why Quantum Matters to Humanity