University of Kwazulu-Natal

Nvidia Ceo Backtracks And Suddenly Bullish On Quantum Computing Stocks

Bonisiwe Shabane
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nvidia ceo backtracks and suddenly bullish on quantum computing stocks

Earlier this year, Nvidia CEO wasn’t so bullish on quantum computing. At the time, during an analyst event at CES, he stated that “very useful quantum computers” were likely 15 to 30 years away, suggesting that 20 years was a reasonable estimate.” In fact, that very statement sent Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), and Quantum Computing (NASDAQ: QUBT) spiraling lower. All as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang becomes far more bullish about quantum computing — and expects they’ll start solving real-world problems in the coming years. “We are within reach” of being able to apply quantum computers “in areas that can solve some interesting problems in the coming years,” Huang added, as quoted by CNBC. “This is a really exciting time.”

That shift comes as Nvidia itself has partnered with quantum computing companies, such as Honeywell-owned Quantinuum to build out a quantum research center. A handful of quantum computing stocks have skyrocketed as some paint the technology as the next big technological innovation, but Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned analysts that any practical applications are still many years... Huang said Nvidia is not worried about quantum computing and added that practical applications for the nascent but powerful computers are at least 15 years away or more. “And so if you kind of said 15 years for very useful quantum computers, that’d probably be on the early side. If you said 30 is probably on the late side. But if you picked 20, I think a whole bunch of us would believe it,” Huang told analysts, according to Axios.

Quantum computers, which are powered by atom-sized “qubits” that operate via the rules of quantum mechanics, have been shown to be extremely powerful, but only in certain situations. They are distinct from existing “classical” supercomputers, which operate more similarly to a basic laptop, albeit at a much higher level. Last month, Google researchers announced its homegrown Willow quantum-computing chip could solve a complex math problem that would’ve taken the most powerful existing supercomputers 10 septillion years, or more than the estimated age of... Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is growing more bullish about quantum computing — and he expects they'll start solving real-world problems in the coming years. "Quantum computing is reaching an inflection point," Jensen declared during his keynote speech at Nvidia's GTC Paris developer conference Wednesday. Quantum computers are machines that use the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers, which store information in bits (ones and zeroes).

Quantum computers use quantum bits, or "qubits," which can be zero, one or something in between — the aim being to process much larger volumes of data to facilitate breakthroughs in areas like medicine,... Quantum has been a buzzy space for investors with the rise of several popular stocks, such as Rigetti Computing and IonQ, which on Monday acquired Oxford Ionics for $1.1 billion. Shares of Rigetti and IonQ were up 4.5% and 3.7% respectively in U.S. premarket trading. Shares of quantum computing firms took a significant hit in aftermarket trading on Tuesday, following remarks from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang that cast doubt on the near-term viability of the technology. Companies like IONQ, D-Wave Quantum, QuantumSi, Quantum Computing Inc., and Rigetti Computing saw stock declines ranging from 3% to 15%.

This downturn came on the heels of a broader sell-off in the tech sector, which has been under pressure in recent weeks. During an investor meeting, Huang made it clear that he views quantum computing as still being in its infancy, suggesting that it could take at least 20 years before the technology becomes genuinely useful. His comments, made in response to a question from Evercore analyst Mark Lipacis, were striking. Huang noted that if one were to estimate a timeline for practical quantum computers, 15 years might be overly optimistic, while 30 years could be too conservative. “But if you picked 20, I think a whole bunch of us would believe it,” he stated, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for quantum advancements. The skepticism from Huang is not without merit.

Quantum computing, which leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to tackle complex computational problems, faces numerous physical challenges. The intricacies of manipulating quantum phenomena are daunting, and Huang emphasized that quantum technology cannot address every problem. He pointed out that classical computing remains essential for error correction, a process that is vital for quantum systems to function effectively. This interdependence highlights a significant hurdle: quantum computing cannot yet operate independently of classical systems, limiting its immediate applicability. Despite Huang’s cautious outlook, advocates of quantum computing continue to champion its potential as a transformative force in the tech landscape. Recent announcements, such as Google’s claim of overcoming a pivotal challenge with a new quantum chip, have sparked excitement.

However, even with such advancements, experts agree that practical implementation is still years away. The gap between theoretical breakthroughs and real-world applications remains a chasm that the industry must navigate. The reaction of the market reflects a broader sentiment of uncertainty surrounding the future of quantum computing. Investors, already jittery from a tech sector slump, appear to be recalibrating their expectations based on Huang’s comments. The reality is that while quantum computing holds promise, the path to practical utility is fraught with challenges that are not easily surmountable.

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