Latest news with #RichardFeynman
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Quantum Computing: Journey from bits to qubits still has far to go
'Nature isn't classical, dammit; and if you want to make a simulation of nature, you'd better make it quantum mechanical.' — Richard Feynman, 1981 With that blunt provocation, the legendary physicist threw down a gauntlet that still challenges science today. If the universe runs on the strange rules of quantum mechanics — with particles existing in multiple states at once and influencing each other instantaneously across space — why are we using computers built on classical logic to understand it? Wouldn't a quantum world be best understood by a quantum machine? That simple idea planted the seed for one of the most radical technologies in the making: the quantum computer. But first, how we got to that point. For much of the 20th century, computing meant tinkering with mechanical contraptions — from slide rules and punch cards to room-sized mainframes wired with vacuum tubes. These machines solved problems by following step-by-step instructions, manipulating electric signals or gears to simulate logic and arithmetic. The real revolution came in the 1950s, with the arrival of digital computing. Suddenly, everything could be broken down into bits, tiny switches that could be either on (1) or off (0). These humble 0s and 1s gave us a universal language: one machine, given the right code, could simulate anything from weather patterns to word processors. As these digital systems grew in power, scientists naturally wondered: how far could this go? Could we simulate the behavior of nature itself — atoms, molecules, and the building blocks of reality? That's when they hit a wall. Classical computers, no matter how fast, struggled to model the weirdness of quantum systems. Every additional particle increased the complexity. Even the most powerful supercomputers couldn't keep up. That is when Feynman posed his provocative question: if nature is quantum mechanical, why are we trying to simulate it with classical machines? What if we built a computer that itself obeyed the rules of quantum physics? To understand that vision, we need to grasp how quantum objects differ from the familiar ones around us. A classical object — a coin, a car, a bit in your laptop — has definite properties that can be measured without changing them. A quantum object, like an electron or a photon, behaves differently. It can exist in a superposition of states; meaning it can be in multiple configurations at once, and its properties become definite only when observed. What's more, it can be entangled with others, so that measuring one instantly affects the other, no matter how far apart they are. These strange behaviors aren't just curiosities. They're powerful. If harnessed correctly, they could unlock new kinds of computation — not just faster, but fundamentally different. That was Feynman's vision: a machine that speaks nature's own language. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle, part of the bedrock of quantum mechanics, tells us that certain pairs of properties — such as position and momentum — cannot both be known exactly at the same time. This fuzziness gives rise to superposition, where a quantum system exists in a blend of states simultaneously. For a qubit, superposition means it can be 0 and 1 at once, like a spinning coin undecided until it lands. Only upon measurement does its state 'collapse' into either 0 or 1, enabling parallel exploration of possibilities. Even more astonishing is entanglement, a uniquely quantum link between qubits. When qubits become entangled, their individual states have no independent meaning; you can only describe the system as a whole. Measuring one qubit instantly determines its partner's state, no matter the distance between them — a phenomenon Albert Einstein dubbed 'spooky action at a distance.' The challenge is to harness the potential of the quantum states for use in computing. Quantum states are exquisitely fragile. Tiny disturbances — thermal vibrations, stray fields, or cosmic rays — can collapse superpositions in a process called decoherence. Today's qubits remain coherent for just 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁴ seconds before errors arise, whereas classical memory holds data intact for milliseconds to years. To combat decoherence, researchers therefore cool qubits to near absolute zero, isolate them in vacuum, and use error-correction schemes that trade many physical qubits for one robust 'logical' qubit. These logical qubits can detect and correct small quantum errors on the fly, preserving the fragile quantum information long enough for useful computation. Despite these hurdles, milestone demonstrations have arrived. In 2019, Google's Sycamore processor executed a special sampling task in 200 seconds — an operation estimated to take a classical supercomputer 10,000 years. While that benchmark had no immediate practical use and was a contrived problem, it proved the principle of 'quantum advantage.' Since then, other companies and research groups have made steady progress: IBM has built devices with over 100 qubits and is pursuing a 1,000-qubit machine; China's Jiuzhang photonic quantum computer has performed similar advantage demonstrations using light; and startups like IonQ and PsiQuantum are exploring alternative qubit architectures with an eye on scalability. # If successfully developed, quantum computers could transform industries across the board. In pharmaceuticals and materials science, they could revolutionize molecular design by simulating chemical reactions and protein folding with atomic precision, paving the way for faster drug discovery and novel materials. # In logistics, transportation, and finance, quantum optimization algorithms could deliver vastly improved solutions for traffic management, supply chain efficiency, and portfolio risk balancing. # In the field of cybersecurity, quantum communication promises virtually unhackable networks through quantum key distribution, a technology already being tested in several countries. # High-precision sensing, enabling ultraprecise clocks, gravity detectors for mineral exploration, and next-generation medical imaging. They could also threaten today's security. Shor's ( quantum) algorithm can factor large numbers exponentially faster than classical methods, putting public-key systems (RSA, ECC) that secure internet banking, e-commerce, and government communications at risk. When large, error-corrected quantum computers arrive, they could decrypt decades of digital traffic overnight. This has spurred a global push toward post-quantum cryptography, new codes believed safe even against quantum attacks. A nominal 100-qubit system can, in theory, represent 2¹⁰⁰ (≈1×10³⁰) states simultaneously, requiring some 10³¹ numbers to emulate on a classical machine. Yet with current error rates and no full error correction, those 100 physical qubits effectively yield fewer than 5 fully reliable logical qubits – enough to hold only 2⁵=32 basis states in superposition. By contrast, a typical laptop's 1 TB drive stores about 8×10¹² classical bits reliably for years. Today's devices host tens to a few hundred qubits but suffer from limited coherence and high error rates, so only small-scale algorithm demonstrations are possible. The total public and private investment in quantum technologies has surpassed US $55 billion over the last decade. China leads with over $15 billion in public spending, the U.S. follows with about $4 billion, and the EU's €1 billion Quantum Flagship rounds out the top three. Each nation seeks both technological leadership and safeguards against quantum-enabled threats. In India, the 2020 National Quantum Mission committed ₹8,000 crore (≈US $1 billion) over five years. Research groups at the IITs, IISc, and TIFR, along with several startups, operate 5–10-qubit systems today and aim for 50–100 qubits by 2030 — enough to begin tackling more complex problems and cement India's role in the quantum ecosystem. India's initial funding injection places it among the top five investors, alongside the U.K., Canada, and Japan. A fully fault-tolerant quantum computer, with millions of physical qubits supporting error-corrected logical qubits, remains years or decades away. Yet the work today in improving qubit stability, scaling control electronics, and rolling out quantum-safe encryption lays the groundwork. Quantum machines will not replace classical computers but will augment them, tackling specialised problems – the computationally toughest subroutines like simulating quantum materials, solving large-scale optimization problems, and breaking cryptographic codes – that classical systems struggle with. As this new paradigm matures, we stand on the brink of an era defined not by what's possible with bits, but by what we can achieve with qubits. Shravan Hanasoge is an astrophysicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now
Quantum computing represents the next technological frontier, potentially revolutionizing fields from drug discovery to cybersecurity. The global quantum computing market is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decades. These two companies are foundational players in the quantum computing revolution. Quantum computing stands at the precipice of transforming our technological landscape. In 1981, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman first proposed the concept of quantum computers, recognizing that classical machines could never efficiently simulate quantum systems. Unlike classical computers that process information in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers leverage quantum mechanics principles (superposition and entanglement) to rapidly perform complex calculations. This revolutionary approach promises to solve problems previously deemed impossible, from drug discovery and materials science to financial modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) optimization. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Though still in its nascent development phase, the quantum computing market is rapidly accelerating toward commercial viability. According to Fortune Business Insights, the market value is projected to rise from $1.2 billion in 2024 to $12.6 billion by 2032, reflecting a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 35%. This trajectory offers astute investors a rare ground-floor opportunity in what could be the defining technological innovation of the 21st century. Here is an overview of two big tech companies poised to capitalize on quantum computing's extraordinary potential. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has established a formidable presence in quantum computing through its cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS). In 2019, AWS launched Amazon Braket, a specialized quantum computing service that offers developers and researchers pay-as-you-go access to various quantum hardware platforms, including those from IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and QuEra Computing. This marketplace approach allows customers to experiment with different quantum technologies without a massive up-front capital investment or an extensive development timeline. Amazon isn't a one-trick pony only in the quantum realm, however. In February 2025, AWS unveiled Ocelot, its first in-house quantum chip designed to tackle quantum error correction -- the primary obstacle to practical quantum computing. Ocelot's architecture reduces error-correction resource requirements by up to 90% compared to conventional approaches, potentially accelerating the timetable for commercially viable quantum computing applications. For investors, Amazon's strategy minimizes technological risk while leveraging AWS' dominant cloud market position to monetize quantum computing regardless of which hardware approach ultimately prevails. As enterprises begin exploring quantum applications for optimization problems, drug discovery, and financial modeling, AWS stands to benefit as both service provider and technology developer. International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) is quantum computing's frontrunner, thanks to decades of consistent investment and innovation in the groundbreaking tech. In April 2025, IBM announced plans to invest $150 billion in America over the next five years, including more than $30 billion specifically for research and development to advance its manufacturing of mainframe and quantum computers. This commitment strengthens IBM's position as the operator of what it calls the world's largest fleet of quantum computing systems. IBM's quantum roadmap has reached significant milestones with the deployment of the Condor and Heron processors. The 1,121-qubit Condor processor represents a breakthrough in scale with a 50% increase in qubit density, while the 133-qubit Heron processor delivers 3 to 5 times higher performance over previous generations. In 2024, IBM demonstrated that Heron can execute circuits with 5,000 two-qubit gates, a critical threshold that moves quantum computing into the realm of practical utility. Looking forward, the company has extended its quantum roadmap through 2033, planning increasingly powerful systems capable of executing more complex quantum circuits. IBM projects a major inflection point in 2029 with its Starling processor executing 100 million gates over 200 qubits, followed by Blue Jay reaching 1 billion gates across 2,000 qubits by 2033. For investors, IBM's dual focus on quantum hardware advancement and cloud-based quantum services provides multiple revenue opportunities as the industry transitions from experimental to commercial applications. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $296,928!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $38,933!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $623,685!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. George Budwell has positions in IonQ and Rigetti Computing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and International Business Machines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
04-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
2 Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now
Quantum computing stands at the precipice of transforming our technological landscape. In 1981, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman first proposed the concept of quantum computers, recognizing that classical machines could never efficiently simulate quantum systems. Unlike classical computers that process information in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers leverage quantum mechanics principles (superposition and entanglement) to rapidly perform complex calculations. This revolutionary approach promises to solve problems previously deemed impossible, from drug discovery and materials science to financial modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) optimization. Though still in its nascent development phase, the quantum computing market is rapidly accelerating toward commercial viability. According to Fortune Business Insights, the market value is projected to rise from $1.2 billion in 2024 to $12.6 billion by 2032, reflecting a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 35%. This trajectory offers astute investors a rare ground-floor opportunity in what could be the defining technological innovation of the 21st century. Here is an overview of two big tech companies poised to capitalize on quantum computing's extraordinary potential. The e-commerce giant with a quantum edge Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has established a formidable presence in quantum computing through its cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS). In 2019, AWS launched Amazon Braket, a specialized quantum computing service that offers developers and researchers pay-as-you-go access to various quantum hardware platforms, including those from IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and QuEra Computing. This marketplace approach allows customers to experiment with different quantum technologies without a massive up-front capital investment or an extensive development timeline. Amazon isn't a one-trick pony only in the quantum realm, however. In February 2025, AWS unveiled Ocelot, its first in-house quantum chip designed to tackle quantum error correction -- the primary obstacle to practical quantum computing. Ocelot's architecture reduces error-correction resource requirements by up to 90% compared to conventional approaches, potentially accelerating the timetable for commercially viable quantum computing applications. For investors, Amazon's strategy minimizes technological risk while leveraging AWS' dominant cloud market position to monetize quantum computing regardless of which hardware approach ultimately prevails. As enterprises begin exploring quantum applications for optimization problems, drug discovery, and financial modeling, AWS stands to benefit as both service provider and technology developer. The quantum pioneer with a key first-mover advantage International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) is quantum computing's frontrunner, thanks to decades of consistent investment and innovation in the groundbreaking tech. In April 2025, IBM announced plans to invest $150 billion in America over the next five years, including more than $30 billion specifically for research and development to advance its manufacturing of mainframe and quantum computers. This commitment strengthens IBM's position as the operator of what it calls the world's largest fleet of quantum computing systems. IBM's quantum roadmap has reached significant milestones with the deployment of the Condor and Heron processors. The 1,121-qubit Condor processor represents a breakthrough in scale with a 50% increase in qubit density, while the 133-qubit Heron processor delivers 3 to 5 times higher performance over previous generations. In 2024, IBM demonstrated that Heron can execute circuits with 5,000 two-qubit gates, a critical threshold that moves quantum computing into the realm of practical utility. Looking forward, the company has extended its quantum roadmap through 2033, planning increasingly powerful systems capable of executing more complex quantum circuits. IBM projects a major inflection point in 2029 with its Starling processor executing 100 million gates over 200 qubits, followed by Blue Jay reaching 1 billion gates across 2,000 qubits by 2033. For investors, IBM's dual focus on quantum hardware advancement and cloud-based quantum services provides multiple revenue opportunities as the industry transitions from experimental to commercial applications. Don't miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $296,928!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $38,933!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $623,685!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025
Forbes
16-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Game-Changing Quantum Computing Use Cases You Should Know About
Quantum computing is no longer a futuristic dream; it's being used right now to optimize finance, ... More discover new drugs, secure networks, and even build better batteries. We're going to hear a lot about quantum computing in the coming years. Once real-world mainstream use cases start to appear, it will become one of the hottest topics in tech, up there with AI. Things are moving steadily towards that point. The investment pouring into quantum service providers and startups shows that industry understands its significance. And a growing number of real-world use cases are emerging to demonstrate its value outside of the laboratory. Quantum computers harness the properties of quantum mechanics to perform some tasks millions of times more quickly than classical computers. This will make them hugely transformative in fields including finance, cybersecurity, medicine and material sciences. So, let's take a look at what quantum computers are actually being used for today to understand how they are already pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Optimizing Transactions In Financial Services A collaboration between IBM, Quantinuum, Banca D'Italia and several universities has produced a quantum computer system capable of tackling highly complex optimization tasks. It's thought that this technology could save financial institutions millions of dollars by reducing delays in settling payments on the TARGET2-Securities platform used to manage stock trades. Quantum computers are great for solving these kinds of mathematical problems, involving finding the best combinations of numerous complex variables. In this case, the optimization involves finding the most efficient methods of processing transactions as quickly as possible. The World Economic Forum believes that applying quantum computer technology to financial services optimization problems in this way will unlock $2 trillion in economic value by 2035. Drug Discovery Quantum computers are especially good at simulating the real world because the real world follows the rules of quantum physics — something traditional computers, which rely on simple binary logic, struggle to replicate accurately. In fact, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman once said, "Nature isn't classical, dammit! And if you want to make a simulation of nature, you'd better make it quantum mechanical." Quantum computing pioneers Qubit Pharmaceuticals leverage this ability of quantum computing to more accurately model and predict the interactions between medicinal particles and disease targets in the human body. According to their founder, 70% of these interactions are too complex to model on classical computers. This means that quantum computers are far more likely to identify potential candidates for new drugs and treatments. Google and IBM are also building quantum computing technology optimized for this task. Quantum-Secured Networks Network security protocols developed using quantum techniques have been rolled out in high-stakes environments, including telecommunications and government communications infrastructure. Samsung has built quantum key distribution (QKD) into its Galaxy Quantum range of smartphones, and the technology has been used by Hyundai and Toshiba to create quantum-secured networks. China Telecom is planning to launch the first quantum-secured global telecommunications network by 2027. QKD works because of the quirky quantum principle that observing a particle changes its state, meaning any attempt at snooping can instantly be detected and shut down. Better Batteries Batteries are usually the most expensive component of electric vehicles. The need to generate a large amount of energy from a device of the minimum size, weight and manufacturing cost creates a tough engineering challenge. A partnership between Hyundai and IonQ, however, has resulted in technology that can better model the properties of lithium compounds used in battery cathodes. This enables researchers to quickly test candidate materials via simulation and vastly speed up the discovery process. The result is batteries that hold power for longer, charge quicker and can be made from a wider range of materials. Truly Random Numbers Banking giant JPMorgan Chase has been a leading investor in quantum computing research for some time, and it could now be starting to pay off. The bank's research division, working alongside academics from the University of Texas and other leading institutions, has developed methods of generating truly unpredictable numbers. Classical computers, by comparison, use deterministic methods of generating 'random' numbers, so they aren't truly random and, in theory, can always be cracked or traced back to a seed by sufficiently powerful computers. It's believed that random numbers generated in this way will form the basis of the more secure cryptography techniques of the future. Towards Commercial Quantum Computing Everything covered here is happening in the real world now, even if it is all being built on bespoke architecture by companies with very deep pockets. However, Google's head of Quantum, Hartmut Neven, believes it will be as little as five years before commercial off-the-shelf quantum applications are available. This will be the real game-changer as the power of quantum becomes accessible to a far wider range of businesses and organizational users, further accelerating innovation. While quantum computers won't replace classical computers for every task, the tasks they do excel at are high-value and often business-critical. Everyone involved in fields that will be directly impacted should prepare immediately for dramatic transformations that will occur when this technological revolution fully begins.
Forbes
23-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
D-Wave Stock Down As Nvidia Reverses Its Quantum Skepticism
JULICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 17: The D-Wave Systems Advantage quantum computer, the first such system ... More with a processor architecture of over 5,000 qubits to go into operation outside North America, is seen at the Forschungszentrum Jülich research center on January 17, 2022 in Julich, Germany. The computer, a quantum annealer, will be part of the Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ) and provide quantum-based computing solutions to researchers across Germany and Europe. The Forschungszentrum Jülich center conducts scientific research in the fields of energy and the environment, information, sustainable bioeconomy and the human brain. (Photo by) How long does it take to turn a scientific breakthrough into a quick investment score? When it comes to quantum computing, the answer remains unknown – but the world has been waiting for about 66 years. Due to the high trading volume in such stocks – including IonQ, Rigetti Computing, Quantum Computing, and D-Wave Quantum – high uncertainty about an imminent payoff suggests traders are raising their bets. Big scientific breakthroughs can take decades to pay off. Two years ago, I decided to write about generative AI. The book, Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI, was published last July, many decades after the failure of an AI startup where I worked. In a January Forbes post, I explored why Rigetti Computing stock had jumped so much and argued the stock would drop due to the company's declining revenues, operating losses, excessive valuation, and vulnerability to industry news snippets. This piqued my interest in writing a book on quantum computing. Yet as I developed a book proposal, I found something missing – a vibrant ecosystem powered by compelling value for end-users – which seemed to be taking off in 2023 as I wrote Brain Rush. In January, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said quantum computing could be decades away from realizing its economic promise. By last week, he had changed his mind – announcing a bet on a Boston-based research center to help Nvidia overcome the impediments to realizing the technology's potential. While he tries to solve these problems, Palo Alto, Calif-based D-Wave Quantum has demonstrated companies will pay for quantum computing. Yet investors should be skeptical of whether the technology will deliver more value for businesses and investors than does classical computing. D-Wave stock is considerably over-valued in Wall Street's view and competition from better financed players like Nvidia and Google could prevail over D-Wave in the race to commercialize quantum computing. Quantum computing swaps traditional computing's bits that store either a 0 or a 1 with qubits, which can hold a combination of a 0 and a 1 enabling two qubits to hold four values thanks to 'exotic metal chilled to about 460 degrees below zero,' according to the New York Times. In 1959, the American physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman first suggested the idea for quantum computing, according to Britannica. Feynman suggested when electronic components get small enough, quantum effects – in which objects lack clearly defined states – could be used to build more powerful computers. Such quantum effects were first discovered in the early 1900s by Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and others, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Quantum effects were demonstrated by an experiment in which a single ph0ton of light passed through a screen with two small slits – producing a wavelike interference pattern of all available paths. However, this wave particle duality collapsed when one of the slits was closed to detect which path the photon took. The act of measuring changed the object being measured, noted Britannica. Feynmann's idea was first realized in 1998 as a 2-qubit quantum computer. Built by scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, MIT, and University of California - Berkeley, the system – while trivial for solving meaningful problems – did demonstrate the principles of quantum computation, according to Britannica. Since then, quantum computing computers have been built with thousands of qubits and firms that build and operate such systems have gone public. Yet it remains to be seen whether quantum computers solve problems meaningful to businesses and consumers in ways vastly superior to what traditional computers can accomplish. At the moment, quantum computing's headwinds vastly overpower its tailwinds. Quantum computing's headwinds are ferocious – including big technical impediments, high error rates, deep-pocketed rivalry, and threats to a fundamental cybersecurity technology. Details follow: The flip side of all the competition is that big companies might solve the knotty problems impeding the realization of Feynman's 1959 vision for quantum computing. Nvidia's NVAQC could unlock a new growth opportunity for the chip designer. The lab's aims include tackling qubit noise and deploying quantum processors to solve "important problems, from drug discovery to materials development,' Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang told Fast Company. Meanwhile Google has reduced quantum computing's error rate during complex analysis by increasing the number of qubits. Experts believe 'it is only a matter of time' before quantum computing realizes its potential. 'People no longer doubt it will be done,' Harvard physics professor Mikhail Lukin told the Times. 'The question now is: When?' Nvidia's bet on quantum computing followed backlash against Huang's January skepticism. D-Wave was among those challenging Huang's claim 'that practical use of quantum computing was decades away,' noted Fast Company. D-Wave strongly disagreed with Huang. 'It's an egregious error on Mr. Huang's part,' D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz told Fast Company in January. 'We're not decades away from commercial quantum computers. They exist. There are companies that are using our quantum computer today.' D-Wave has paying customers, loses money, and made a headline-grabbing announcement in March about the company's 'quantum supremacy' which has evoked skepticism. My take is there is no rush to buy the company's stock. While D-Wave's revenue did not grow and lost more money in 2024, its bookings and customer count rose. More specifically, D-Wave's 2024 revenue of $8.8 million was 'essentially flat,' noted a company release, while the company's net loss of $146 million was nearly 50% more than in 2023. The company increased its customer count and bookings last year. Specifically, D-Wave added two customers to reach 135 in 2024 while bookings increased 128% to $23.9 million in 2024, according to the company release. D-Wave forecasts Q1 2025 revenue to exceed all of 2024's. 'We expect first quarter fiscal 2025 revenue to exceed $10 million including revenue recognized from the sale of an Advantage annealing quantum computer,' noted the company release. That sale is 'non-recurring,' according to TipRanks – suggesting there may be less here than meets the eye. D-Wave also claimed the company had achieved quantum supremacy – the notion that its quantum computer outperformed traditional computers on a real-world problem. 'With record bookings, a record cash position and an unequivocal demonstration of our quantum system outperforming classical on a real-world problem," our progress is clear, said Baratz according to the release. D-Wave based its quantum supremacy claim on a paper published March 12 in Science. D-Wave said it completed magnetic materials simulations 'in under 20 minutes with a quantum computer — a task that would have taken nearly a million years on a leading supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory,' D-Wave senior distinguished scientist Andrew King told the Wall Street Journal. This achievement represents the 'Holy Grail' in quantum computing, Baratz told the Journal. 'This is what everybody in the industry has been aspiring to, and we're the first to actually demonstrate it,' he added. However, academics have already disputed D-Wave's claims. For example, Dries Sels and colleagues at New York University performed similar calculations on a regular laptop using tensor networks – which reduce the amount of data and hence energy needed to perform simulations, reported New Scientist. The debate rolled on with King disputing Sels' claim – concluding, 'They're great researchers, but it's not something that refutes our supremacy claim,' according to New Scientist as Sels retorted King's response was 'petty.' Another scientist echoed Sels' claim – arguing classical computers can achieve comparable results. Since D-Wave's paper made its claim of quantum superiority, scientists have discovered new methods that overcome classical computers' relative weakness in materials simulations, the Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Quantum Physics research scientist Miles Stoudenmire told the Journal. 'We're just saying, 'Look, this one problem at this one time didn't beat classical computers. Try again,'' Stoudenmire added. I will give D-Wave the last word here. Competing studies tested only a subset of problems addressed in D-Wave's work and the company's quantum simulations 'covered a broader range of lattice geometries and conditions,' Baratz told Quantum Source. What does this all mean for investors? D-Wave stock is about 12% too high, according to TipRanks which compare the company's current stock price of $8.46 to $9.63 – the average 12-month price of five Wall Street analysts. Although D-Wave has $300 million in cash, the company's lack of growth suggests a investors may need to wait for Baratz to devise a new growth vector to propel the company's stock.
