IBM Aims to Bring Quantum Computer to Israel by 2027
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
IBM's CTO for Israel, Uri Haiek, aims to bring a quantum computer to the country by 2027, emphasizing the technology's potential and the need for post-quantum cybersecurity preparation. Discussions at the Israel IT Conference 2026 also covered AI's impact, with experts like Shai Ozon and Gil Pekelman highlighting its benefits in IT support and the associated risks of autonomous agents and data privacy. Check Point CEO Nadav Zafrir called for new cybersecurity paradigms to counter rapidly evolving threats.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IBM aims to deploy a quantum computer in Israel by 2027, according to its CTO Uri Haiek.
- Quantum computers could break current encryption methods, necessitating a shift to post-quantum security.
- Autonomous AI agents are rapidly spreading, requiring strict control and regulation, stated abra CEO Shai Ozon.
- AI agents can resolve IT issues in seconds, but raise concerns about data privacy and oversight, noted Atera CEO Gil Pekelman.
- Check Point CEO Nadav Zafrir urged the development of new cybersecurity approaches to match the speed of modern threats.
IBM Israel's CTO, Uri Haiek, expressed a personal ambition to see an IBM quantum computer operational in Israel by 2027. While not an official project, this goal highlights IBM's commitment to quantum computing development. Haiek noted that IBM has already deployed over 80 quantum computers globally and cited an example where a quantum computer solved a complex task in 19 seconds, a feat estimated to take a supercomputer 110 years. IBM plans to introduce a 200-qubit quantum computer with error correction capabilities by 2029, addressing a key challenge in making quantum computing practical for industry.
Haiek also warned that the advancement of quantum computers necessitates a reevaluation of current data security methods, as they could potentially weaken or break prevalent encryption algorithms, particularly asymmetric ones. He urged companies to prepare for a post-quantum era before such threats become a reality.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is already presenting immediate challenges. Shai Ozon, CEO of abra, discussed the rapid proliferation of autonomous AI agents that can interact with each other and execute tasks within corporate systems. Abra uses a traffic light model to assess risks, with autonomous agents in the "red zone" requiring strict regulation and control over their permissions and actions.
Gil Pekelman, CEO and co-founder of Atera, highlighted AI's potential to resolve up to 90% of technical issues in corporate IT systems, reducing resolution times from hours to seconds. However, he also pointed to risks, such as instances in U.S. hospitals where patient data was transferred to external AI services for summarization, raising privacy concerns. Pekelman stressed the need for IT departments to not only implement new tools but also monitor their usage.
Nadav Zafrir, CEO of Check Point, described the current technological landscape as the most significant revolution in human history, with leadership in AI currently dominated by the U.S. and China. He suggested Israel should focus on finding its niche, possibly through collaboration with nations seeking technological independence. Zafrir also emphasized that traditional cybersecurity models are becoming obsolete due to the speed of modern attacks, calling for fundamentally new approaches to threat response.
The discussions took place at the Israel IT Conference 2026, organized by ITech Israel at Expo Tel Aviv, which attracted approximately 3,000 attendees and featured over 120 speakers.