Quantum Computing

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Bill Gates Sees Quantum Computing’s Potential Arrival in Three to Five Years – The Quantum Insider

February 4th, 2025

Insider Brief

  • Bill Gates believes practical quantum computing could arrive in the next three to five years, challenging longer timelines suggested by others.
  • Microsoft is working on a powerful quantum machine, set to be released later in 2025, with Gates expressing confidence in its progress.
  • Nvidia’s Jensen Huang has suggested that quantum computing may take 15 to 30 years to become widely useful, sparking debate in the tech community.

Bill Gates, co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, believes that quantum computing, a technology that could revolutionize industries from medicine to materials science, may be closer than some experts think. In a recent interview on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast, Gates suggested that useful quantum computers could arrive in as little as three to five years.

“There is the possibility that he [Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang] could be wrong. There is the possibility in the next three to five years that one of these techniques would get enough true logical Qubits to solve some very tough problems. And Microsoft is a competitor in that space,” Gates said on the podcast.

The race to build the first truly practical quantum computer has drawn significant attention from tech giants like Microsoft and Google, as well as from specialized companies like Nvidia. Gates, who co-founded Microsoft, believes that progress is accelerating, even if the timeline remains uncertain.

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Quantum computing, in simple terms, uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations far faster than today’s classical computers. The key component, qubits (quantum bits), differ from regular bits in that they can can exist in a probabilistic state between 0 and 1, offering vast computational power. Practical quantum computing would be the use of a quantum machine to successfully complete calculations in a time that classical computers and supercomputers could not match.

An Insider’s Take?

Gates arguably may have more of an insider track on the world of quantum computing than even Huang. He regularly reviews Microsoft’s quantum computing efforts and can see the progress. He also acknowledges the challenges ahead.

Microsoft announced in November 2024 that it was co-designing a machine it called “the world’s most powerful quantum computer,” which is expected to be released later this year.

Gates expressed confidence in the company’s progress but recognized that others, like Nvidia’s Huang, may have a more cautious view on when the technology will truly become useful.

“And I regularly review that work [at Microsoft]. And I’m quite impressed with it, but Jensen is correct, it could take longer. This is both in terms of how you build a quantum computer and what software you write that can solve problems that other computers couldn’t write. There’s some hard work to be done, and Microsoft has been in this field a long time, as well as Google and many, many, many players,” Gates said.

In January 2025, Huang stirred debate when he spoke at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) about his expectations for quantum computing. He said, “If you said 15 years for very useful quantum computers, that would probably be on the early side. If you said 30, it’s probably on the late side. But if you picked 20, I think a whole bunch of us would believe it.”

Gates and Huang’s contrasting views highlight the ongoing uncertainty — along with the vast spectrum between optimism at the recent progress and cynicism of the future challenges — in the quantum computing field. While some believe that practical quantum computers are still a decade or more away, others, like Gates, are more optimistic about shorter timeframes.

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Bill Gates: There’s a possibility quantum computing will become useful in 3 to 5 years – Yahoo Finance

February 3rd, 2025

Listen and subscribe to Opening Bid on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates thinks useful quantum computing won’t need decades to arrive.

“There is the possibility that he [Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang] could be wrong. There is the possibility in the next three to five years that one of these techniques would get enough true logical Qubits to solve some very tough problems. And Microsoft is a competitor in that space,” Gates said on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast (video above; listen below).

Microsoft said in November 2024 that it was co-designing and building “the world’s most powerful quantum machine.”

It’s expected to be released later this year.

“And I regularly review that work [at Microsoft]. And I’m quite impressed with it, but Jensen is correct, it could take longer. This is both in terms of how you build a quantum computer and what software you write that can solve problems that other computers couldn’t write. There’s some hard work to be done, and Microsoft has been in this field a long time, as well as Google and many, many, many players,” Gates explained.

Gates is on the other side of the quantum computing trade, it seems.

Nvidia (NVDA) founder Jensen Huang kicked off the quantum controversy in January at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

“If you said 15 years for very useful quantum computers, that would probably be on the early side,” Huang opined. “If you said 30, it’s probably on the late side. But if you picked 20, I think a whole bunch of us would believe it.”

Watch: Google is a monopoly, warns founder of search competitor

Huang is still bullish on Nvidia’s role in developing quantum computing through its artificial intelligence chip technology.

Then fellow tech billionaire and Huang’s friend Meta (META) founder Mark Zuckerberg tossed cold water on quantum computing.

Zuckerberg said on the Joe Rogan podcast he sees quantum’s potential as still a “decade-plus out.”

“I’m not really an expert on quantum computing — my understanding is that’s still quite a ways off from being a very useful paradigm,” Zuckerberg said.

The downbeat commentary wreaked havoc on the red-hot quantum computing trade, which kicked off in early December when Google unveiled its high-power quantum chip, dubbed Willow.

D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI) — the two main quantum trades being played by retail investors — are down 36% and 22.5%, respectively year to date.

Rigetti’s stock is up 992% in the past year, outperforming D-Wave’s 552% advance.

“We are in the investment mode right now,” Rigetti Computing CEO Subodh Kulkarni warned bullish investors on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast. “We do have some sales, but that’s mostly government contract kind of opportunities. Assuming the timeline I described earlier holds and we start seeing material sales opportunities three to five years from now, we certainly expect the company to start becoming cash flow break-even around that time period and beyond that, profitability will come along.”

Gates thinks it’s easier to get a handle on the pace of AI development and how it will shape businesses moving forward.

“There’s a great deal of uncertainty there [on quantum computing],” Gates added. “In the meantime, the AI stuff, that’s improving at a very, very rapid rate. That, in a sense, is more predictable that over the same three to five years that will get extremely powerful.”

Three times each week, I field insight-filled conversations and chats with the biggest names in business and markets on Opening Bid. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.

Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance’s Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com.

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Interested in Investing in Quantum Computing Stocks? Here’s a No-Brainer Buy. – The Motley Fool

February 1st, 2025

Growth investors are always looking for the next big story that will offer their portfolios a boost. Last year, artificial intelligence (AI) stocks did the job, and these players still may be very early in their growth story. With today’s $200 billion AI market forecast to reach beyond $1 trillion by the end of the decade, these companies could have plenty of bright days ahead.

And on top of this, another technology growth theme is emerging — one that complements AI and could potentially help AI stocks drive the market higher this year and over the longer term. I’m talking about quantum computing. You may have heard about this technology in recent times and seen huge gains by certain players. For example, leader Rigetti Computing soared 1,400% last year. And this may have prompted you to think about investing in quantum computing stocks.

But if you’re not extremely familiar with the technology and players, you might be hesitating. Now here’s some great news: You don’t have to study up on every player and choose just one or two to potentially score a win, and becoming a quantum computing expert isn’t required either. Instead, you can get in on this no-brainer buy and hold on for the long term.

A quantum computer is shown.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why quantum computing could be a game changer

First, though, let’s talk quickly about quantum computing. As I said, you don’t have to learn everything about it, but it’s important to understand why this field could become a game changer. Classical computing uses bits to store and process data, represented as a zero or a one. Quantum computers use qubits to process data, and these qubits can store a zero, a one, or both at the same time. Quantum computing relies on quantum mechanics, a study of the behavior of subatomic particles.

This system can accelerate computing, making it possible to find a solution in five minutes for something that would take a classical computer thousands of years. So quantum computing can solve problems that we can’t address today.

Many companies have focused specifically on this technology — such as Rigetti and Quantum Computing. And market giants also have gotten into the field. For example, Alphabet recently announced key milestones reached by its quantum chip.

Now, let’s move along to the way you can easily invest in this hot technology, and that’s through an exchange-traded fund (ETF), an asset that allows you to invest in many stocks according to a specific theme such as industry or investment style. In this case, we’re going for quantum computing stocks, and the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM 0.26%) invests in these players by tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index.

The Defiance ETF, mimicking the index’s composition, also aims to mimic its performance, and that’s proven to be positive over the past year. It posted a gain of about 45%. The fund includes more than 70 stocks active in the area, from those intensely focused on quantum computing to tech heavyweights, such as Microsoft and Palantir Technologies, that have established and profitable businesses in other areas too, like software in this case.

Rigetti and D-wave Quantum

Defiance ETF’s most heavily weighted holdings are the quantum computing specialists Rigetti and D-wave Quantum, with weightings of 2.4% and 1.9%, respectively. What I like about this fund is though these smaller, higher-risk companies are the biggest holdings, their weightings aren’t excessively high, and there are plenty of bigger companies to offer stability in case of volatility.

For example, last month when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said useful quantum computers would be ready about 20 years from now, longer than some investors had hoped, stocks like Rigetti and D-wave sank more than 30% in one trading session. Companies like Microsoft are less likely to be as sensitive to these sorts of messages.

So, this ETF offers you the growth of pure play quantum companies along with the safety of tech giants. On top of this, the Defiance ETF doesn’t come with high fees — the expense ratio is 0.4% — so they aren’t likely to hurt your returns over time.

All of this makes this fund a great way to get in on the hot market of quantum computing and potentially benefit from growth while minimizing your risk.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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These Are Hands-Down the 2 Safest Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now – Yahoo Finance

January 31st, 2025

Despite some wild swings in recent weeks, quantum computing stocks remain sizzling hot. Shares of Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) are up more than elevenfold over the past 12 months. D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) stock has skyrocketed more than 600%. IonQ‘s (NYSE: IONQ) share price has gained more than 250%.

However, the volatility seen so far in 2025 underscores the risks associated with these high-flying stocks. Can you invest in quantum computing without taking on so much risk? Yep. If you’re looking to buy quantum computing stocks right now, two stand out as the hands-down safest picks.

Before we get to those two safe stocks to buy, let’s first address an important question: What’s the big deal about quantum computing? The short answer is that quantum computers hold the potential to perform calculations extremely fast and even be exponentially more powerful than the most advanced supercomputers today.

One key factor behind the speed of quantum computers is that they use quantum bits (or qubits) instead of regular bits. Regular bits are either equal to zero or to one. Qubits can be equal to zero, one, or both simultaneously. This might sound strange, but it’s possible through a quantum property called superposition. With superposition, quantum particles can have multiple states at the same time until they’re observed.

Another mind-boggling aspect of quantum computers is that quantum particles can be entangled. This means two particles are connected regardless of how far apart they are. Traditional computers execute processes step by step. Quantum computers can execute many processes simultaneously thanks to quantum entanglement.

To be sure, quantum computers probably won’t be ideally suited for all applications. However, they could help in lots of ways, including developing more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models and creating more secure encryption codes (and making current ones obsolete).

While Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and IonQ have promising quantum computing technology, there are two key concerns with these stocks for investors. First, none of these companies are profitable yet. Second, no one knows for sure how long it will be before quantum computing achieves commercial success.

The good news for investors is that a few companies that are at the forefront of quantum computing are already highly profitable and should continue to be even if it takes a few decades for quantum computing to fulfill its potential. I think the best and safest stocks in this group are Google parent Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

Alphabet’s Google unit deserves much of the credit for kicking off the recent quantum computing boom. In December 2024, Google introduced its new Willow quantum chip. This chip caused tremendous excitement because it reduces errors exponentially as more qubits are used. (Reliable error correction is a big challenge with quantum computing.) Willow also performed a calculation in under five minutes that Google said would take one of the fastest supercomputers available today 10 septillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) years to complete.

Google’s breakthrough cemented its position among the leaders in quantum computing. However, Alphabet’s fortunes certainly don’t hinge on its quantum computing efforts. The company’s profits of $19.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024 alone are greater than the market caps of Rigetti, D-Wave, and IonQ combined.

Microsoft hasn’t made as big of a splash in quantum computing over the last year as Google has. But the tech giant is pioneering the technology. For example, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum platform is used by several quantum computing companies including IonQ and Rigetti.

Like Alphabet, Microsoft can afford to invest heavily in quantum computing even if its bet doesn’t pay off. The company raked in profits of $24.7 billion in its latest quarter — even more than Alphabet did.

Which of these two relatively safe quantum computing stocks is the better pick? I like both of them, but if I had to choose only one it would be Alphabet.

Valuation is one factor in my decision. Alphabet is cheaper than Microsoft on almost every commonly used valuation metric, including trailing 12-month and forward price-to-earnings ratios and price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio.

I also think Alphabet’s growth prospects will be stronger than Microsoft’s over the next decade. The company isn’t dependent on another player for its AI models as Microsoft is with OpenAI. Alphabet’s Waymo unit is the leader in the robotaxi market, which I suspect could take off hugely in a few years. And if I had to wager on which company is more likely to ultimately be the bigger winner in quantum computing, I’d bet on Alphabet.

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Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Keith Speights has positions in Alphabet and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These Are Hands-Down the 2 Safest Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool

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3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Now, Based on Investor Sentiment – 1/30/2025 – TipRanks

January 30th, 2025

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Ultra-cold molecules poised to revolutionize quantum computing – Earth.com

January 29th, 2025

Quantum computers promise calculations at speeds that can make standard devices look sluggish. Many experiments have centered on ions, neutral atoms, or superconducting circuits because these particles are easier to keep steady.

Molecules, on the other hand, have been considered too unwieldy for such fine-tuned quantum operations.

They are packed with vibrations, rotations, and other complex motions that can easily interfere with fragile quantum states.

However, Dr. Kang-Kuen Ni from Harvard University has now shown that these challenges can be tackled with a method that traps molecules in an ultra-cold environment.

Ultra-cold molecules in quantum computing

Classical computing relies on binary bits (0 or 1).

Quantum computing replaces those bits with qubits that can exist in both 0 and 1 at once. That special property, called superposition, allows for parallel processing on a scale that normal computers cannot manage.

Molecules pack additional layers of structure that can, in principle, expand the scope of these calculations. However, random vibrations and rotations complicate efforts to keep them in well-defined quantum states.

94% accuracy in quantum operations

Researchers have been refining two-qubit gates for years.

One important gate, known as iSWAP, swaps the states of two qubits and applies a phase shift. This combination is crucial for creating entanglement, where qubits exhibit correlations that let them work in tandem.

By using sodium-cesium molecules, the team devised a route to carry out this gate with an accuracy of 94 percent. 

“As a field we have been trying to do this for 20 years,” exclaimed Kang-Kuen Ni.

Stabilizing quantum computations

One strategy for taming molecules is to lower their temperature drastically.

This approach slows their motion so that precise laser traps, known as optical tweezers, can grab and hold them in place.

When the molecules remain still, the quantum states last longer, making them more reliable for calculations.

Those carefully arranged molecules can then be directed to interact at specific times. That control avoids unwanted collisions or jitters that would ruin superpositions and reduce performance.

Building a new quantum ecosystem

Trapped molecules have certain properties that might help push the boundaries of computing. Some have dipole-dipole interactions, which are tunable electric charges that can link individual qubits in customized ways.

“Our work marks a milestone in trapped molecule technology and is the last building block necessary to build a molecular quantum computer,” said Annie Park, postdoctoral fellow.

With these adjustable forces, scientists can create gates that are ideal for solving specialized problems. 

Why cold quantum molecules matter

Quantum computing has come a long way since its initial theoretical proposals in the 1980s. Early demonstrations used trapped ions, which introduced the idea of controlling quantum states with lasers in a vacuum.

Superconducting qubits have also captured significant attention, with companies like Google showcasing large-scale chips to demonstrate so-called quantum supremacy.

The journey has moved from atoms to molecules, and molecular qubits now appear to be catching up.

Although the extra layers of motion once seemed like an obstacle, these hidden layers could power advanced quantum simulations of chemistry or materials science.

Researchers can tune not only electronic and spin states but also rotational and vibrational modes, thus opening new avenues for exploring interactions that mimic real-world molecules.

Practical implications

Industries such as finance, logistics, and pharmaceuticals keep a close eye on emerging quantum methods.

Optimization problems that involve analyzing vast possibilities in record time benefit from more robust qubit platforms.

Molecules, with their diverse internal arrangements, could handle certain problem sets more nimbly than other architectures.

Techniques for stabilizing these molecules are evolving fast. Laser-cooling strategies once worked best for atoms, but improved methods now tackle larger molecules by carefully matching laser light to molecular transitions.

Success in this area may spark a wave of specialized quantum processors that rely on custom-tailored molecules.

What’s next?

Realizing a 94 percent fidelity in the iSWAP gate stands as a major checkpoint. That figure suggests enough precision to build larger quantum circuits, though refinements are likely needed before a full-scale system becomes practical.

Small errors can accumulate, so scientists plan to address any stray movement or minute temperature spikes that might cause decoherence.

Research also points to the potential of toggling interactions between active and inactive modes. By switching from an interacting state to a quiet, non-interacting state, scientists can pause interactions mid-computation.

This fine-grained control could help modularize quantum processors, making them easier to scale.

Beyond standard protocols

Early quantum computing experiments focused mostly on straightforward platforms. Now that molecules can be trapped and manipulated, some experts foresee brand-new protocols.

Instead of forcing qubits into minimal sets of energy levels, advanced procedures might exploit various rotational states to encode more information in fewer particles.

Chemical reactions, energy transfer processes, and other fundamental phenomena might be simulated more naturally using a molecular system.

Even small-scale proofs of concept could illuminate mysteries about how chemical bonds form or break under different conditions.

Challenging our understanding of matter

Quantum computing still faces hurdles with error correction and scalability. Even so, the introduction of molecules brings a fresh dimension. While single atoms and ions have simpler spectra, molecules hint at a world of adaptability.

Scientists will likely build on these findings in the coming years, testing whether other kinds of molecules can be cooled and coupled in similar ways.

If so, each type of molecule might serve as a specialized node in a larger system, much like different branches of computing rely on distinct processors optimized for graphics or data analysis.

There is also interest in harnessing nuclear spins in molecules. These spins can remain stable for longer intervals, helping with tasks that need persistent qubit memory.

Such research could merge the best traits of molecules with well-established quantum methods, making the overall platform stronger.

Quantum mechanics has always challenged intuition about how matter behaves at tiny scales.

Watching molecules engage in these exotic computational steps adds a new chapter to that story. The once-messy complexities of molecular structures are transforming into valuable assets.

Ni’s group, and others, are eager to refine these techniques. New refinements may shrink error rates, boost gate speeds, and uncover even more versatile ways to encode data in molecules.

The study is published in Nature.

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