Intel, one of the world’s leading chipmakers, has announced its latest innovation in quantum computing: the Horse Ridge 2 processor. The Horse Ridge 2 is not a quantum processor itself, but a device that simplifies the communication between a quantum processor and a conventional computer. It is the second generation of a family that debuted in 2019.
The Horse Ridge 2 is designed to move the control process closer to the quantum chips, reducing the number of cables that connect the qubits with the outside world. Qubits are the data processing elements of quantum computers, which can store and manipulate data in multiple states at once, thanks to the phenomena of superposition and entanglement.

Quantum computers are expected to solve problems that are beyond the reach of conventional computers, such as developing new materials, optimizing financial investments, and cracking encryption. However, quantum computers are also very sensitive to external noise and interference, which can cause errors and disrupt computations. To prevent this, quantum processors are usually kept in extremely cold chambers, just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero.
The Horse Ridge 2 chip, packaged in a metal housing, is designed to operate at these low temperatures without disturbing the qubits. It can also control multiple types of qubits, such as superconducting and spin qubits, which are based on different physical properties. Intel hopes that this flexibility will give it an edge over its competitors, who mostly focus on one type of qubit.
Intel lags behind in quantum computing
Despite its ambitious plans, Intel is still behind its rivals in developing quantum computers. Companies like IBM and Google have already demonstrated quantum processors with dozens of qubits, while Intel’s latest quantum processor, called Tunnel Falls, has only 12 qubits.
Intel’s strategy is to stay as close to conventional computers as possible, by using silicon-based qubits that are similar to those that power millions of PCs. The company believes that this approach will allow it to scale up to millions of qubits in the future, which is necessary to achieve the full potential of quantum computing.
However, scaling up is not the only challenge that quantum computing faces. Another major hurdle is error correction, which involves using multiple physical qubits to form a single logical qubit that is more robust and reliable. Error correction will require even more qubits and more complex algorithms to run on quantum computers.
Intel is working on developing error correction techniques for its quantum processors, as well as software tools and libraries to make quantum programming easier for developers. The company also collaborates with research institutions and industry partners to advance the field of quantum computing.
Intel aims to leapfrog rivals with large-qubit-count designs
Intel’s ultimate goal is to leapfrog its rivals with quantum computer processors that have enough capacity to fulfill the promise of quantum computing in various applications. The company expects that its large-qubit-count designs, such as Horse Ridge 2, will bring it closer to this goal.
The company also envisions that quantum computing will complement and accelerate artificial intelligence (AI), another area where Intel is investing heavily. Quantum computers could help AI systems learn faster and better from large amounts of data, as well as solve complex optimization problems.
Intel’s chief technology officer Greg Lavender said in a speech at Intel’s Innovation conference on Wednesday that the company is committed to making quantum computing practical and accessible for everyone.
“We’ve got to scale to millions of qubits, and we’ve got to scale to millions of error-correcting qubits to get to effective computing workloads,” he said. “We’re on track for doing that.”