Record #00448Technology archive
On 4 May 2016, IBM launched IBM Quantum Experience, giving the public cloud access to a real quantum processor for running experiments.
Achievement date
2016
2016-05-04
IBM deployed a five-qubit processor at its Yorktown Heights research facility. Users could build quantum circuits in a web interface and submit them to physical hardware.
Previously, access to experimental quantum hardware usually required collaboration with specialist laboratories. Cloud access broadened participation among researchers, students and developers.
IBM's 2026 tenth-anniversary retrospective confirms the 4 May 2016 launch and its public-access purpose.
The record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
IBM's 4 May 2016 launch announcement and its 2021 retrospective identify the first public cloud access to a real five-qubit quantum processor. The first-achievement comparison direction is ascending.
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