Wed Jan 08 15:01:16 UTC 2025: ## Quantum Stock Plunge After NVIDIA CEO’s Prediction of Long Road to “Very Useful” Quantum Computing

**San Francisco, CA** – Shares of several quantum computing companies plummeted following comments from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang about the timeline for practical quantum computing. During an analyst call, Huang estimated that “very useful” quantum computers are still two to three decades away, sparking a sell-off in the sector.

IonQ and Quantum Computing Inc. saw after-hours drops exceeding 16%, while D-Wave Quantum Inc. and Rigetti Computing Inc. fell by more than 14%. The reaction surprised some investors given NVIDIA’s recent collaborations with quantum companies, including Google Quantum AI and several others announced at SC24.

However, a closer examination of Huang’s statement reveals it aligns with NVIDIA’s overall hybrid quantum computing strategy. His prediction focused on the development of a fully functional, fault-tolerant quantum computer, a more distant goal than achieving initial quantum advantages in specific tasks. Industry experts generally agree that a phased approach is expected, progressing from scientific to practical advantages before reaching quantum supremacy. Huang’s timeline falls within the range of most conservative industry roadmaps.

NVIDIA’s strategy centers on a long-term hybrid model, integrating quantum and classical computing to leverage the strengths of each. This approach benefits NVIDIA, as its expertise in high-performance computing is crucial for powering and simulating quantum computers. A swift arrival of standalone quantum computers could potentially disrupt NVIDIA’s business model.

Despite the market reaction, Huang’s comments aren’t necessarily viewed as negative for the quantum computing field as a whole. He has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the technology, and his remarks appear consistent with NVIDIA’s long-term commitment to supporting the industry through its hybrid computing approach. The market’s response appears to be driven by a misunderstanding of the phased development of quantum computing and the nuanced meaning of “very useful” in the context of this technology’s long-term evolution.

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