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Alphabet (GOOGL) Executive Says Company Is Five Years Away from Quantum Breakthrough

Alphabet (GOOGL) Executive Says Company Is Five Years Away from Quantum Breakthrough

  • 26.03.2025 00:59
  • markets.businessinsider.com
  • Keywords: quantum computing

Alphabet’s quantum computing division expects a meaningful breakthrough in five years, potentially enabling advanced computations beyond current capabilities. However, debates persist about the timeline for practical applications, with varying estimates from other tech leaders.

Alphabet NewsNvidia NewsGOOGLsentiment_satisfiedMSFTsentiment_satisfiedNVDAsentiment_dissatisfied

Estimated market influence

Alphabet

Alphabet

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Alphabet is making progress in quantum computing, aiming for a breakthrough within five years.

Google Quantum AI

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Leading the development of Alphabet's quantum computing efforts with potential practical applications in five years.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Developed a new quantum computing chip, showing progress in the field.

Nvidia

Nvidia

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Nvidia's CEO expressed skepticism about the timeline for practical quantum computing, which could impact investor sentiment.

Context

Business Insights and Market Implications

  • Alphabet's Quantum Computing Timeline:

    • Alphabet (GOOGL) is estimated to be five years away from achieving a meaningful quantum computing breakthrough.
    • Julian Kelly, Director of Google Quantum AI, stated that within the next five years, the company aims to perform computations currently impossible on classical computers.

  • Market Interest and Advances:

    • Interest in quantum computing surged following a December 2023 advance, which hinted at practical quantum computers.
    • Microsoft made headlines with its “Majorana” quantum chip, claiming it required an entirely new state of matter to function.

  • Current State of Quantum Computing:

    • The most advanced quantum computer currently has 105 qubits.
    • Experts estimate that one million or more qubits will be needed for practical applications.

  • Competitive Landscape:

    • Alphabet is competing with other tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia in the quantum computing race.
    • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang previously controversially stated that usable quantum computing could still be decades away, though he later walked back the remarks.

  • Market Impact and Industry Implications:

    • Quantum computing is seen as a next frontier alongside artificial intelligence (AI).
    • Potential applications include breakthroughs in cryptography, optimization, drug discovery, and advanced physics.
    • The development of practical quantum computers could disrupt industries by solving complex problems faster than classical computers.

  • Long-Term Effects:

    • Quantum computing advancements could lead to entirely new business models and technologies.
    • The technology may also prompt regulatory responses due to its potential impact on cybersecurity and data encryption.