Qiskit Summer School Marks a Decade of Cloud Quantum Computing

IBM is marking a decade since it put the first quantum computer on the cloud with the launch of registration for the Qiskit Global Summer School, a free, two-week virtual program running from July 13, 24. Designed for students, researchers, and developers, the program focuses on building practical quantum skills using Qiskit through lectures, labs, and live sessions with IBM Quantum experts. This year’s iteration introduces a dedicated beginners-only track, allowing newcomers to access learning content without the pressure of advanced assignments, alongside updated scoring requirements for participation certificates and badges. To qualify for Participation Certificates or Badges this year, participants must watch 80% of all core IBM Quantum lectures.

Qiskit Global Summer School: Program Structure & Flexibility

This year’s iteration of the annual event, marking ten years since IBM put the first quantum computer on the cloud, emphasizes practical skill-building with the Qiskit framework, leveraging lectures, labs, and direct interaction with IBM Quantum experts. The program’s structure is intentionally flexible, offering recorded content and a global Discord community to accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules. Participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from researchers and engineers, completing guided coding labs and applying concepts to real-world quantum workflows; live Q&A sessions will further enhance engagement. The curriculum is tiered to support varying levels of expertise, from those entirely new to quantum computing to experienced users seeking to refine their skills. According to IBM, “The Summer School theme may celebrate the past, but the curriculum remains focused on the technology we have today,” highlighting the program’s commitment to contemporary quantum information science.

To qualify for Participation Certificates or Badges this year, participants must watch 80% of all core IBM Quantum lectures, a requirement that has been in place for previous years. Beyond the core curriculum, optional professional development workshops will cover essential skills for those entering the quantum workforce, including best practices for reading research papers, utilizing GitHub, and networking. IBM notes that registration fills rapidly, often within a week, and encourages prospective attendees to sign up promptly.

Beginners Track & Updated Participation Requirements

The proliferation of cloud-based quantum computing platforms over the past decade has spurred a corresponding need for accessible educational resources, and the Qiskit Global Summer School reflects this growing demand. This year’s iteration, running from July 13, 24, introduces a dedicated beginners-only track designed to lower the barrier to entry for those new to quantum information science. Recognizing that not all participants will arrive with prior experience, the program now offers a pathway for learners to engage with core concepts without the pressure of completing advanced lab assignments and programming exercises. This expansion of access is coupled with revisions to the program’s participation requirements, aiming to ensure meaningful engagement with the material. These workshops, along with special guest lectures and panel discussions, are not factored into final scores, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience.

The program’s structure continues to emphasize hands-on programming with Qiskit, but the updated scoring system acknowledges the value of foundational knowledge acquisition. This year, to qualify for Participation Certificates or Badges, participants must watch 80% of all core IBM Quantum lectures. The emphasis on full participation, with a request that registrants commit to attending and engaging fully, underscores the program’s goal of building a robust and active learning environment.

Decade of Cloud Quantum Computing & Workforce Development

This anniversary serves as a central theme for the summer school, which will run from July 13, 24 and aims to equip participants with practical quantum skills using Qiskit. The program’s structure emphasizes hands-on programming, real-world applications, and the evolving tools within quantum information science; participants will directly learn from IBM Quantum researchers and engineers while completing guided coding labs. A dedicated Discord community will also facilitate peer-to-peer connection and support. This year’s iteration introduces a significant expansion of accessibility with a new beginners-only track designed to support those with no prior Qiskit experience. The program is intended for a diverse audience, encompassing students, educators, researchers, and professionals seeking to integrate quantum computing into their work. This shift in focus, from simply learning to delivering meaningful applications, underscores the maturing quantum ecosystem and the increasing demand for a skilled workforce.