Few technologies attract as much hype as quantum computing. Headlines promise to transform drug discovery, finance and logistics; sceptics say useful machines are decades away. For business leaders the truth is more practical: there are a few things worth doing now, and a lot that can safely wait.
What quantum computers actually are
Quantum computers use qubits, which can represent combinations of 0 and 1 at the same time and become entangled with each other. For certain kinds of problems this allows algorithms that scale far better than anything possible on classical computers. For most everyday computing — databases, web apps, analytics, AI training — classical computers remain the right tool and will stay that way.
Where the technology stands
- Today’s machines are small and noisy. Current processors have from tens to a few hundred physical qubits, and errors accumulate quickly, limiting how long a computation can run.
- Error correction is the key milestone. Useful large-scale quantum computing needs “logical” qubits built from many physical qubits. Recent results — such as Google’s Willow chip demonstrating error rates falling as the error-correcting code grows — show real progress.
- Vendors publish roadmaps toward fault tolerance. IBM, for example, has published a roadmap targeting a large-scale fault-tolerant system around the end of the decade. Roadmaps are goals, not guarantees.
Where quantum is expected to matter
| Area | Why quantum could help | Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry & materials | Simulating molecules is naturally quantum | Research; promising long term |
| Optimisation | Routing, scheduling, portfolios | Experimental; classical methods usually win today |
| Machine learning | New model types and data encodings | Early research |
| Cryptography | Shor’s algorithm breaks RSA and ECC at scale | Threat is future, but preparation is urgent now |
The three things worth doing now
- Start your post-quantum cryptography programme. This is the one area with a clear deadline and real risk today, because encrypted data can be stolen now and decrypted later. Begin with a cryptographic inventory — see our PQC migration guide.
- Build a small amount of in-house literacy. A handful of architects and data scientists who understand quantum basics will help you judge vendor claims and spot genuine opportunities.
- Run low-cost experiments where your problems fit. If you have hard optimisation or simulation problems, test them on cloud quantum services against a strong classical baseline. Expect learning, not breakthroughs.
What can safely wait
Buying quantum hardware, building large quantum teams, or re-architecting core systems around quantum algorithms. For most organisations, cloud access and a watching brief are enough until fault-tolerant machines arrive.
How to evaluate quantum claims
- Is the result compared against the best classical method, not a weak one?
- Is it on a real business problem at realistic size, or a toy example?
- Does the claimed advantage include the full cost and time, including data loading?
Our Quantum Computing practice runs readiness assessments that separate opportunity from hype — and starts your PQC journey.
Frequently asked questions
Can quantum computers solve business problems today?
Only in limited, experimental ways. Today’s machines are small and error-prone, and for most real business problems classical methods still perform better. The clearest action today is preparing cryptography for future quantum threats.
When will quantum computers be commercially useful?
Nobody knows exactly. Several vendors have published roadmaps targeting large-scale fault-tolerant systems around the end of this decade, but timelines are uncertain.
Should my company invest in quantum computing now?
Most organisations should invest modestly: start a post-quantum cryptography programme, build basic literacy, and run small cloud experiments if they have suitable problems.