Adaptive Quantum Circuits 2026 (AQC26), hosted by Quantum Machines in Chicago from October 26 to 28, has emerged as a pivotal gathering for the quantum computing community. This year’s conference underscored a central insight: the path to fault-tolerant quantum computing increasingly depends on real-time classical processing. Researchers from Google, IBM, Intel, IonQ, Quantinuum, and numerous academic labs presented findings that converge on the same point—how fast the classical side of the system can measure, decide, and respond now shapes the trajectory of quantum error correction.
Now in its third year, AQC26 brought together quantum hardware developers, classical computing companies, national laboratories, and universities from around the world. The event explored advances in quantum error correction, adaptive circuits, and the integration of quantum processors with classical computing infrastructure. All talks are available to watch on the AQC website, making the insights accessible to a global audience.
What is AQC26?
AQC26 is a conference dedicated to adaptive quantum circuits—circuits that use mid-circuit measurements and real-time feedback to adjust operations dynamically. Unlike traditional static quantum circuits, adaptive circuits can correct errors on the fly and reduce runtime, making them essential for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The conference serves as a forum for researchers and engineers working across all major qubit technologies, including superconducting circuits, spin qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, and bosonic systems. It is organized by Quantum Machines, a leading provider of hybrid quantum-classical control solutions, and reflects the industry’s growing recognition that quantum computing is as much a systems engineering challenge as a physics one.
What stands out
Advances in quantum error correction
Presentations at AQC26 highlighted significant progress in error correction across diverse qubit platforms. Dr. Emma Rosenfeld of Google Quantum AI demonstrated magic state cultivation, a technique for producing the high-fidelity quantum states needed for fault-tolerant operations. Her colleague Dr. Volodymyr Sivak showed how reinforcement learning can fine-tune a quantum processor’s calibration using only error-detection signals, adjusting thousands of control parameters at once.
Dr. Kevin C. Smith of IBM Quantum examined error-detected operations for dynamic circuits, while Dr. Marc-Antoine Lemonde of Nord Quantique discussed hardware-efficient bosonic quantum error correction. Dr. Eyob A. Sete of Rigetti Computing explored chiplet-based superconducting processors, and Dr. Jonas Schuff of Intel and Dr. Andre Saraiva of Diraq addressed the challenges of automating the tune-up of larger silicon spin qubit arrays.
Real-time classical computing integration
A central theme was the growing interdependence of quantum processors and classical computing infrastructure. Dr. Shane Caldwell of NVIDIA examined real-time accelerated computing for fault-tolerant quantum processing units, while Dr. Josh Izaac of Xanadu explored distributing low-latency workloads across CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs. Smriti Bajaj of Dell Technologies addressed the challenges of orchestrating these resources for real-time quantum error correction.
Dr. Itamar Sivan, CEO and Co-Founder of Quantum Machines, noted that speakers working on very different qubit technologies kept arriving at the same conclusion: how fast the classical side of the system can measure, decide, and respond now shapes the path to fault tolerance.
Scalable quantum systems
The practical challenges of translating quantum research into scalable computing systems also featured prominently. Dr. Thaddeus Ladd of IBM/HRL highlighted digitally controlled silicon spin-qubit architecture designed to leverage CMOS manufacturing and cryogenic control electronics. A fireside discussion between Dr. Anna Grassellino of Fermilab and Sivan brought together perspectives from fundamental research and quantum technology development.
The conference also featured a special virtual appearance by 2025 Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor John Martinis, a pioneer of superconducting quantum computing, who joined a session announcing new grants for the next generation of quantum researchers.
Who it’s for
AQC26 is designed for quantum hardware developers, classical computing engineers, researchers in quantum error correction, and anyone involved in building scalable quantum systems. It is particularly valuable for those working at the intersection of quantum and classical computing, as the conference emphasizes the systems-level challenges of real-time control and integration.
Academics, industry professionals, and national laboratory scientists will find the presentations relevant to their work, whether they focus on superconducting qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, or spin qubits. The conference also offers insights for students and early-career researchers through its awards and educational sessions.
Pricing and availability
Pricing information for AQC26 is not publicly listed on the conference website. However, all talks are freely available to watch online, providing exceptional value for those unable to attend in person. The conference’s commitment to open access ensures that key insights reach a broad audience.
What makes it worth considering
AQC26 stands out for its focused agenda on adaptive circuits and real-time classical control, topics that are often treated as secondary in other quantum computing conferences. The quality of presentations from leading organizations—Google, IBM, IonQ, Quantinuum, NVIDIA, and others—ensures that attendees receive cutting-edge information directly from the researchers driving the field.
The conference also fosters cross-pollination between different qubit technologies and classical computing approaches, helping attendees see the bigger picture of how quantum computing will scale. The availability of recorded talks means that even those who cannot attend can benefit from the content.
Verdict
AQC26 is an essential conference for anyone serious about the intersection of classical and quantum computing, offering deep technical insights and a clear vision of the road ahead.
Frequently asked questions
AQC26 is the third edition of the Adaptive Quantum Circuits conference, hosted by Quantum Machines, focusing on real-time classical control and error correction in quantum computing.
Researchers, hardware developers, classical computing companies, and anyone involved in quantum systems engineering.
Yes, all presentations are available to watch on the AQC website.
Quantum error correction, adaptive circuits, and the integration of quantum processors with classical computing infrastructure.
Superconducting circuits, spin qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, and bosonic systems.
It is an LDPC-based architecture that aims to scale to hundreds of logical qubits and millions of fault-tolerant operations.
Classical hardware processes measurement results in real time to adjust quantum operations, reducing errors and enabling adaptive circuits.
