Editor’s Note: In late fall 2024, we asked for contributions on predictions for the quantum industry in the coming year. What follows is a curated list of just some of those experts who submitted their key insights and emerging trends that may shape quantum computing and quantum information science for 2025.
Steve Brierley, Founder and CEO of Riverlane
- The Quantum Error Correction (QEC) Era is here. We’ve seen increased global alignment on the necessity of QEC to remove faults in quantum computing and help achieve useful scale to drive the industry forward and make the technology’s transformative applications possible. Governments, investors, quantum computing companies and researchers are in agreement when it comes to the need for real-time error correction and a path to achieve this, and their actions are showing it.
- Quantum hardware companies will continue to embrace QEC on a larger scale. Almost two-thirds of these companies are actively implementing or prioritising a strong focus on QEC. For many organisations, this entails developing an internal program or research effort dedicated to error correction.
- Updated metrics will be critical in this new era of quantum computing. The technology is evolving beyond traditional metrics, which will become obsolete. As we move on from the noisy intermediate-scale (NISQ) era of quantum technology, existing metrics will no longer serve the purpose we need. Reliable quantum operations, or “QuOps,” can sufficiently measure quantum performance. Still, future iterations of quantum computers will require new metrics and application-specific benchmarks to compare the next generation of technology.
- As this race continues in 2025, the demand for standalone QEC stacks will rise significantly. While the industry slowly came around to the idea that NISQ would not unlock any commercially useful applications, we cannot afford to wait for the MegaQuOp— a ‘compelling challenge for the quantum community’, to paraphrase John Preskill. The MegaQuOp is quantum’s next landmark goal, where the power of quantum computers goes beyond the reach of any classical supercomputer, and we can only reach it with QEC.
Steve Brierley, founder and CEO of Riverlane
Marcus Doherty, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Quantum Brilliance
Key trends in quantum technology in 2025:
In 2025, we predict diamond technology will become an increasing part of overall industry conversation as more companies realize the potential of using diamond-based quantum systems in data centers and edge applications.
The chief advantage to diamond technology is that it allows for room-temperature quantum computing, without the need for large mainframes. It also eliminates the need for absolute zero temperature and complex laser systems. As such, diamond technology allows for smaller, portable quantum devices that can be used in all sorts of locations and environments, ultimately bringing us closer to scaling quantum devices.
We expect that more agencies will launch plans to build mobile quantum devices, after Germany’s Cyber Agency awarded us a joint contract to build the world’s first mobile quantum computer.
We also expect significant advances in hybridized and parallelized quantum computing. Our partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory that we entered in September 2024 will continue to yield advancements in both applications.
Also, diamond quantum sensors will enter into manufacturing to address scalable markets in defense, aerospace, automotive, mining and healthcare. Specific use cases will include GPS-free positioning and navigation, geophysical and infrastructure surveying, and medical imaging. This will drive demand for diamond quantum materials, components and integrated device manufacturing capabilities as well as new device design tools to support increased performance and manufacturability.
Marcus Doherty
Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Quantum Brilliance
Dr Chris Ballance, CEO and co-founder, Oxford Ionics
- Quantum computing’s ‘ChatGPT’ moment is sooner than you think
From Google’s achievements in quantum error correction to Oxford Ionics’ world records in qubit performance, 2024 was a year marked by incredible milestones for the quantum computing industry. We can now answer fundamental questions like ‘Can we build powerful and accurate quantum computers at scale?’ and ‘Can we correct errors in quantum systems?’ with a resounding yes.
The rapidly-growing market interest reflects this turning point. Within a few hours of announcing its new Willow quantum chip, Google added over $100B to its market cap. Investors and organisations alike are waking up to the unprecedented compute power that quantum computers will enable. Companies are already thinking about how quantum computing might disrupt their business, the actions to take now to prepare, and how they can leverage this critical new tool in the compute arsenal to gain a competitive edge.
There is now no doubt that powerful quantum computers are not an ‘if’ but a ‘when’. The question in 2025 will be who gets there first. Where quantum computing companies once battled it out over research & development, the focus has shifted to making bigger and better machines – not just trying to get the basics working well enough. And while these are hard challenges, they are known challenges.
The era of the unknown in quantum is over, and the race is kicking off. For the first time, quantum computing’s ‘ChatGPT’ moment is within fighting distance – and we may even see it in 2025.
- 2025 will see quantum computers leave the lab and head to the ‘real world’
Over the past year, we’ve seen the customer appetite for quantum computing switch on. But for the first time, 2025 will see quantum computers leave labs and research institutions and actually deploy into the networks and data centres of real-world customers. For quantum computing companies, this will be a real test of steel. The industry has been at times dominated by those who talk a good talk – this year, we’ll see which companies can also walk the walk.
It’s one thing to have a groundbreaking, powerful quantum computer that only works on its very best day – when the lab conditions are perfect and when the team of PhDs operating it are on top form. But the reality is that quantum computers need to work on their worst days too – in the real world, in real organisations. The quantum computing companies who land on top will be the ones who have built for this challenge since day one.
- You won’t need to understand quantum physics to use quantum computers
People tend to hear the words ‘quantum computing’ and jump straight to science fiction or the multiverse. And while it seems daunting, we’ve actually reached a point where the ‘quantum’ part of quantum computing is the easiest bit – it’s the ‘computing’ that is inherently complex. For those on the frontlines of building powerful quantum computers, this means it’s no longer a physics challenge – it’s an engineering one.
But this evolution in how we think about quantum computing isn’t just important for those building computers – it’s crucial for end users as well. Companies won’t need a team of PhDs in quantum physics to benefit from the powerful compute power that quantum computers will deliver. Groundbreaking technology at its best is indistinguishable from magic. Most consumers don’t understand how their iPhone works – they just know it makes their life better and more convenient in ways that could have never been predicted by the early pioneers of classical computing back in the 1950s.
Quantum computing will follow a similar trajectory. Organisations won’t need to know the ins and outs of quantum computers in order to leverage its unprecedented power – they’ll simply benefit from its ability to solve the problems that could never be solved on classical computers.
Dr Chris Ballance
CEO and co-founder, Oxford Ionics
Bill Wisotsky, Principal Technical Architect, SAS
Quantum computing is set to make significant advancements in error mitigation and correction, substantially increasing the number of computational qubits. This progress will continue to revolutionize the data and AI industry. The fields of quantum machine learning, quantum optimization, and quantum chemistry and biology stand to benefit the most.
Quantum computing will also advance in its hybrid development, with Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) being further integrated with CPUs, GPUs, and LPUs. QPUs will be employed for specialized problem classes or formulations. This hybridization will inspire new approaches to classical algorithms, leading to the development of superior quantum-inspired classical algorithms. Looking ahead, investing in quantum computers promises once-in-a-century breakthroughs, unlocking unprecedented solutions and discoveries in science and physics, akin to the impact of electricity.
Bill Wisotsky
Principal Technical Architect, SAS
Chene Tradonsky, CTO and Co-Founder of LightSolver
In 2025, optical computing will make strides and give birth to a new generation of hybrid opto-electronical systems. Advances in spatial light modulators and photonic chip manufacturing will lay the foundation for the design of highly versatile, reconfigurable optical processors that can perform diverse computational tasks and take over workloads too challenging for electronic processors alone. By combining the best of both worlds into a hybrid system, we’ll see the emergence of highly efficient platforms in terms of speed, scalability and energy-efficiency.
Despite the industry hype around the use of optical computing for AI computations, we anticipate faster implementation and innovation of the technology in the HPC field for complex simulations such as climate modeling and computer-aided engineering. The iterative nature of many of these computations gives optical processors a significant advantage as they can execute single calculations at a speed unrivaled by classical computers. For optical chips and systems to deliver their speed and energy-efficiency promise in AI, new methods and models must be developed and brought to maturity first, which could be a few years away.
Chene Tradonsky
CTO and Co-Founder of LightSolver
Enrique Lizaso Olmos, Multiverse Computing
Enrique Lizaso Olmos is the company’s CEO and co-founder. He has led the team through an amazing year of international recognition and advances in the market. Here are his year-in-review and year-ahead comments.
2024 in review
Our year started with an oversubscribed $27M funding round and ended on the stage in Las Vegas as part of the AWS Gen AI Accelerator class. Throughout 2024, we used our quantum-inspired compression software to make AI greener and more efficient and to lower the cost of running and training LLMs. We expect to expand the reach of CompactifAI in the New Year to make these powerful models more available to companies of all sizes.
2025 predictions
In 2025, Quantum Computing will further solidify its position as a transformative technology with real-world applications. Also, the synergy between quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) will become increasingly evident.
Quantum technology is emerging as a critical tool for enhancing AI’s efficiency, while AI plays a key role in integrating quantum solutions into practical applications. This reciprocal relationship has enabled both technologies to address their respective challenges more effectively.
Also, companies are increasingly focused on optimizing AI investments by seeking solutions that deliver models with reduced computational costs while tailoring them to specific use cases. This growing demand for efficiency and specialization is driving the industry toward advanced optimization technologies, such as those we offer.
We are actively fostering collaborations and partnerships to scale CompactifAI to enable companies across industries to achieve more sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient AI implementations. This strategic expansion positions CompactifAI as a critical solution for addressing the growing demand for cost-efficient AI technologies in an environmentally conscious world.
Enrique Lizaso Olmos
Multiverse Computing
Florian Neukart, Chief Product Officer, Terra Quantum
What industry milestones do you expect to see in 2025?
In 2025, we anticipate the quantum technology industry will hit pivotal milestones, particularly in the integration of hybrid quantum-classical systems. Industries like pharmaceuticals, logistics, and financial services will adopt quantum solutions at scale, showcasing tangible ROI from quantum computing. Advancements in quantum networking, particularly Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for securing critical infrastructure, will accelerate. The emergence of more standardized quantum hardware ecosystems will pave the way for greater interoperability and accessibility.
What is Terra Quantum’s business outlook for the new year?
Terra Quantum is poised for significant growth in 2025 as we expand our offerings across key industries, focusing on hybrid quantum solutions that deliver immediate business value. With our TQ42 platform, we aim to make quantum-enhanced algorithms more accessible, offering solutions that address optimization, simulation, and machine learning challenges. We’re scaling our cryptography solutions, leveraging our leadership in QKD and post-quantum cryptography to secure next-gen communications. We expect to solidify our position as a global quantum technology leader with strategic partnerships and ongoing R&D.
What factors do you think will drive industry growth in the coming year?
Several factors will fuel quantum industry growth in 2025. The increasing urgency to address cybersecurity challenges will drive adoption of quantum-safe cryptographic solutions like QKD and post-quantum algorithms. Industries will continue seeking breakthroughs in optimization and simulation, with quantum computing offering superior efficiency and accuracy. Government initiatives and funding for quantum R&D will stimulate innovation and collaboration. Lastly, the maturation of hybrid quantum-classical systems will make quantum technologies more practical and commercially viable, encouraging widespread industry adoption.
Florian Neukart
Chief Product Officer, Terra Quantum
Gilles Thonet, Deputy Secretary-General of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission),
Quantum computing is coming and soon the noise free era will introduce a raft of new challenges that will range from managing the complexity of large-scale quantum systems to ensuring equitable access to this powerful technology. Consensus-based international standards, which is about sharing global best practices, will have an important role to play. It holds immense promise for tackling today’s global challenges, but for everyone to benefit and for no country to be left behind we need international standards that operate across borders. Standards are already building a solid foundation for collaboration, starting with a common terminology that makes it possible to exchange information accurately. They prioritize safety and address the concerns of society. They are also vital for ensuring the interoperability of quantum computing elements.
Gilles Thonet
Deputy Secretary-General of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave
Quantum Optimization
Quantum optimization will emerge as the killer use case for quantum computing, becoming an operational necessity for businesses looking for novel strategies to maintain competitiveness. Enterprises leveraging annealing quantum computing to conquer complex optimization challenges can expect to outpace rivals that remain stuck using outdated legacy solutions. In addition, the rise in annealing quantum computing adoption in 2025 will result in an unprecedented number of real-world applications moving into production, marking the transition from quantum hype to commercial reality.
Quantum Infrastructure
We will see a surge in interest and investment in on-premises quantum computing systems in high-performance computing (HPC) environments worldwide as researchers, academic institutions, and businesses look to bolster national security and accelerate competitive differentiation. By bringing together annealing quantum computing with HPC, we will witness remarkable progress in leveraging hybrid-quantum technologies to fuel new discoveries and achieve previously unattainable business outcomes.
Quantum and AI
As AI adoption accelerates, organizations face mounting computational demands while subject to energy constraints. In 2025, quantum computing will emerge as a crucial tool for addressing these challenges. Big Tech’s embrace of alternative energy sources like nuclear power to keep pace with AI’s escalating power consumption highlights the urgency of finding more efficient computing solutions. Quantum technologies offer a path forward. Organizations that harness quantum computing to enhance AI efficiency and transform model design could achieve breakthrough performance gains while reducing energy consumption.
Quantum Research
With advancements in quantum hardware resulting in new levels of system performance, the world’s leading researchers will increasingly embrace quantum technology to achieve groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs and new discoveries out of the reach of classical computers. Areas like AI/ML, industrial optimization and materials simulation stand to benefit greatly from the continued product development progress and increasingly powerful performance of quantum systems.
Gate Model vs. Annealing Quantum Computing Resolution
The industry will finally put to rest the academic debate between gate-model and annealing quantum computing, recognizing that both technologies will be essential for different computational needs. Annealing quantum computing will maintain its advantage with optimization problems, while gate-model systems will excel in their own specialized domains once they mature enough for production use. Noting that gate-model systems are still 7-15 years away from being able to handle production workloads, only annealing systems are capable of managing production-level applications in 2025, making them the sole viable focus for commercial applications.
Rise in Quantum Career Opportunities
Just as ChatGPT gave rise to Prompt Engineers, we will see new kinds of quantum-focused jobs emerge. Given the commercial maturity of quantum optimization, surging demand for a new type of talent — Quantum Optimization Engineers — will be prevalent in 2025. These specialists can translate complex real-world problems into formats compatible with annealing quantum computing systems. This represents a new and distinct professional discipline within the quantum computing field.
Quantum-Enabled Decision Making
As recognition grows for quantum optimization’s ability to handle production-grade applications, interest in quantum will shift solely from innovation teams to operational optimization, data analytics and intelligence teams, which are tasked with enhancing enterprise decision-making processes. This transition further marks quantum computing’s evolution from an experimental technology to a practical business tool.
Dr. Alan Baratz
CEO of D-Wave
Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer, QuEra Computing
1. National quantum programs will transition towards targeted investments and strategic global partnerships
As quantum computing approach practical applications, national programs will increasingly prioritize tangible milestones, such as achieving specific qubit counts, enabling fault-tolerant operations, developing useful applications that leverage quantum computers.
Selective international collaboration will play a pivotal role, such as in programs in Europe and Asia, balancing the need for trusted partnerships with national security concerns and shifting away from 100 percent in-country initiatives.
Already, programs in Europe and Asia are transitioning from foundational research toward collaborative, application-oriented initiatives.
2. On-premises quantum deployments will increase for high-security and custom use cases, while cloud services will expand for broader accessibility
In 2025, the industry will see a divergence between organizations deploying on-premises quantum systems for secure, mission-critical use cases and those benefiting from the scalability and accessibility of cloud-based services.
On-premises systems will cater to sectors like government, finance, and pharmaceuticals, where data security, control, and customization are paramount. These deployments will address high-use, mission-critical processing needs, tight integration with classical HPC resources, and offer deep control over quantum resource allocation. On-premises systems will be preferred when budgets are available to germinate a local quantum ecosystem. Conversely, cloud platforms will remain the primary entry point for businesses exploring quantum technology.
3. Co-design will drive industry-specific quantum solutions, accelerating application-ready systems
Co-design – where quantum hardware and software are developed collaboratively with specific applications in mind — will become a cornerstone of quantum innovation. This approach integrates end-user needs early in the design process, yielding optimized quantum systems. It acknowledges that today’s quantum computers are not yet capable of solving a wide range of problems and tightly integrate hardware and software to extract the maximum utility from these limited resources.
This trend is supported by recent developments in hybrid quantum-classical systems and specialized quantum software, which make algorithm-hardware synergy increasingly attainable. Initiatives like QuEra’s co-design programs and partnerships focused on developing error-corrected algorithms underscore the importance of aligning technology with practical applications.
4. Quantum Machine Learning (QML) will become a practical tool for specialized applications
In 2025, QML will transition from theory to practice, particularly where traditional AI struggles due to data complexity or scarcity. By encoding information more efficiently, QML will reduce data and energy requirements, making it particularly impactful in areas like personalized medicine and climate modeling.
Early successes are expected in “quantum-ready” fields, where quantum enhancements amplify classical AI capabilities, such as genomics or clinical trial analysis.
Yuval Boger
Chief Commercial Officer, QuEra Computing
Jan Goetz, IQM Quantum Computers Co-CEO and Co-founder
In 2025, the combination of artificial intelligence and quantum computing is expected to pick up speed. Hybrid quantum-AI systems will impact fields like optimisation, drug discovery, and climate modeling, while AI-assisted quantum error mitigation will significantly enhance the reliability and scalability of quantum technologies.
In addition, we expect that progress in quantum error correction will mark a pivotal moment, with scalable error-correcting codes reducing overhead for fault-tolerant quantum computing and the first logical qubits surpassing physical qubits in error rates. Complementing these advancements, innovations in hardware will improve coherence times and qubit connectivity, strengthening the foundation for robust quantum systems.
Algorithmic development will take centre stage with novel algorithms developed in the fields of finance, logistics, and chemistry. AI-driven discoveries will streamline quantum algorithm design, and enhanced algorithms will go beyond the well-known Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) and Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm (QAOA) approaches to unlock new possibilities in materials science and chemistry.
The quantum ecosystem will mature further as AI and quantum firms merge or collaborate, driving faster commercialisation and adoption. Quantum platforms will emerge, offering seamless integration of classical, AI, and quantum resources.
These achievements will move quantum computing closer to practical utility, reshaping industries reliant on computational power. The convergence of quantum computing and AI will solve previously intractable problems, fostering a new era of innovation.
Jan Goetz
IQM Quantum Computers Co-CEO and Co-founder
