Quantum Computing: A Long-Term Relationship?

by

Right. Quantum computing. It’s the new shiny thing, isn’t it? Everyone’s talking about it. It feels…important. Like knowing the capital of Uzbekistan, even if you’ll never need to know it. I’ve been looking at the numbers, trying to be sensible, and frankly, it’s a bit overwhelming. Shares in companies like D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and IonQ have gone absolutely stratospheric in the last few years. Quadruple digits, apparently. Which sounds…impressive. And terrifying. It’s like watching someone else’s lottery numbers come up.

The problem is, it’s complicated. Terribly, terribly complicated. It’s not like ordering a takeaway. And companies in this space aren’t exactly printing money right now. Which is a bit of a relief, actually. I mean, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

So, should you invest in quantum computing stocks in 2026? That’s the question, isn’t it? Well, yes, possibly. But only if you can separate the hype from the actual, you know, reality. Which, let’s be honest, is a skill I’m still working on. I’ve made a list, actually. A pros and cons list. It’s quite long. Mostly cons, if I’m being truthful.

Building Quantum Systems (and My Sanity)

Okay, so the science bit. Apparently, quantum computing relies on the behaviour of…subatomic particles. Honestly, just writing that sentence makes me feel faintly inadequate. These particles can do things that normal computers can’t, something about scaling exponentially. It sounds like something out of a science fiction film. The problem is, these particles are…fragile. Like my self-esteem on a Monday morning. And building systems that can handle them is…challenging. Error generation is a major issue, apparently. Which, you know, happens to me all the time, but in a more metaphorical sense.

These companies – the pure-play ones, as they call themselves – are offering access to their hardware through cloud services. Which sounds very futuristic. Even tech giants like Microsoft and Alphabet are getting involved, developing their own quantum chips. It’s all very impressive. But it’s going to take years for quantum computers to actually be useful. Years. That’s a long time to wait for a return on investment. Especially when there are so many other things I could be spending my money on. Shoes, for example.

Jensen Huang Comments on Quantum (and My Patience)

Jensen Huang, the head of Nvidia, apparently said it might take 20 years for quantum computing to become a reality. 20 years! I’ll be ancient by then. Then he backtracked, becoming more bullish. People do that, don’t they? Change their minds. It’s unsettling. Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai suggests five to ten years. Which is slightly more optimistic. Still a long time, though. I’ve started a countdown timer. It’s surprisingly depressing.

Loading widget...

Meanwhile, the stock prices are soaring. It’s a bit of a bubble, isn’t it? Everyone’s rushing in, hoping to get rich quick. I’m trying to be rational. I really am. But it’s hard when everyone else is getting carried away.

So, what should we expect? Quantum computing could be a game-changer. It really could. And it’s not too early to invest. But be prepared to hold on for a long time. A very long time. There will be breakthroughs, of course. There always are. But it will take time for this technology to become part of our everyday lives. It won’t be like upgrading your phone. It’s more like…building a spaceship.

Which means you need patience. A lot of patience. And a strong stomach. But the rewards could be huge. If you can survive the ride, that is. I’m making a contingency plan. Just in case. It involves a beach, a cocktail, and a very large book.

Read More

2026-01-22 02:22