Quantum computing is hogging the headlines in 2025 and it's ok to say it's the year of quantum--or maybe qubits--with 10 months to go in the year. The quantum computing developments are flying, but it's worth noting that we're years away from big commercial adoption.
Nevertheless, CxOs need to get ready. After all, the boardroom is getting tired of AI. The generative AI trade is losing steam. Just check out the lack of reaction to Nvidia, which only grew its data center business a mere 93%. Ho hum. Boardrooms are going to start asking about your quantum computing plans in 3, 2, 1.
Why is it the year of quantum already? For starters, there's a new development almost weekly. Pure play quantum stocks are hot but have cooled off a bit. Hyperscale cloud players are deadly serious about quantum as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud all have credible efforts underway. Quantinuum is threading the needle between AI and quantum computing. IBM is scaling. And there are real use cases out there as companies like IonQ are citing projects with DARPA, Astra Zeneca and others.
Here's what's happened so far in the first eight weeks of 2025.
January
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said quantum computing is 15- to 30-years away from being really useful. Those comments landed at CES 2025 and came up because quantum computing stocks had a torrid run at the end of 2024 as quantum became more practical, focused on hybrid HPC architectures and Google Cloud touted a new quantum chip called Willow.
- Quantum vendors have tried to prove Huang wrong since he made those comments. Days after Huang’s comments the pure plays such as IonQ and D-Wave all cited commercial projects.
- Microsoft launched its Quantum Ready Initiative, which helps enterprises sort out use cases for quantum computing and get ready to deploy.
- IonQ, University of Maryland and State of Maryland announced a $1 billion investment to create the "Capital of Quantum." Under the initiative, IonQ will be an anchor partner as it continues to pursue federal government contracts. IonQ at the University of Maryland's Discovery District, which is near Washington, DC and Annapolis, MD.
- D-Wave said it will expand distribution of its quantum computing offerings via a partnership with Carahsoft, which is a premier distributor of IT to the government. Under the deal, Carahsoft will aggregate D-Wave's offerings as a reseller. The partnership will give D-Wave throughput under Carahsoft's contract vehicles.
February
- Quantinuum launched its Generative Quantum AI framework that aims to combine AI, quantum computing and supercomputers to address problems classical computing can't solve.
- Microsoft launched Majorana 1, a quantum computing chip with a Topological Core architecture. Topological quantum computing uses a concept similar to semiconductors using "anyons," which can arrange qubits into patterns. A topological superconductor is a material that can create a new state of matter. It's harnessed to create a more stable qubit that can be digitally controlled.
- IonQ is doubling down on quantum networking with an acquisition, diversifying globally and has a new CEO along with fourth quarter results and plans to raise more capital. The purchase of ID Quantique gives IonQ more quantum networking patents and diversifies the company's global footprint with expansion in South Korea. In November, IonQ bought Quibitekk. IonQ named Niccolo de Masi CEO with Peter Chapman becoming Executive Chair. Chapman will focus on strategy and enterprise adoption.
- Amazon Web Services launched Ocelot, a first-generation quantum computing chip that was developed with the California Institute of Technology.
- And for good measure, Constellation Research updated its quantum computing shortlists. Constellation ShortList™ Quantum Computing Platforms | Quantum Computing Software Platforms | Quantum Full Stack Players
What now?
One thing worth noting here is that we’re really looking at the year of quantum readiness and development rather than deployment. That said, CxOs need to start thinking about quantum. Constellation Research analyst Holger Mueller broke down how you should be thinking about the year of quantum.
- If you have to protect your IP against state actors you need to do quantum key encryption today.
- If you have smaller planning and simulation issues in your business - get your pilot going.
- If you are on process manufacturing, chemical, pharma etc. - you must have quantum pilots. You likely have them on annealing and laser gate already but need to keep an eye on all super conducting players.
- Everybody else can sit back and get the popcorn but keep an eye on medium scale planning and simulation. All enterprises have those. On the tech side, watch stabilization, componentization and then scale loop. IBM is the most advanced and learn from their process.
