Humanity is hurtling toward a new computing revolution. Practical fault-tolerant quantum computers, once deemed a far-off fantasy just a few years ago, are now on the cusp of becoming a reality. Thanks to groundbreaking strides in key areas like quantum error correction, gate operation fidelity, and system integration, this field is approaching a pivotal turning point.

As reported on the Nature magazine website, leading global research teams have achieved milestone advancements in quantum computing. Scientists widely anticipate that million-qubit-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers will make their debut by 2035. In 2025, the University of Science and Technology of China made a significant breakthrough in quantum error correction. Utilizing a 107-qubit "Zuchongzhi 3.2" quantum processor, they developed a technique where "errors are corrected more effectively below the threshold," paving the way for practical applications.

The University of Oxford team pushed the boundaries of single-qubit gate fidelity, achieving an astonishing 99.999985%. Their two-qubit gate operation fidelity soared to 99.99%. Meanwhile, Princeton University extended the lifetime of superconducting qubits from a mere 0.1 milliseconds to a remarkable 1.68 milliseconds through material enhancements.

On the corporate front, IBM has ambitious plans. They aim to achieve quantum advantage by the end of 2026, reach fault-tolerant quantum computing before 2029, and launch the "Nighthawk" quantum processor. Startup QuEra is also making waves, setting its sights on introducing a machine boasting over 10,000 physical qubits and 100 logical qubits in 2026, a feat that would outperform existing supercomputers.

These remarkable advancements signal that quantum computing is transitioning from the realm of laboratories to practical applications in specialized fields. Industries such as chemical simulation, financial optimization, and logistics scheduling are poised to be the first beneficiaries, reshaping the global landscape of technological competition in the process.