Nvidia Ceo Huang Apologizes For Quantum Computing Comments

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 2, 2026, 4:13 AM

nvidia ceo huang apologizes for quantum computing comments

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday walked back comments he made in January, when he cast doubt on whether useful quantum computers would hit the market in the next 15 years. At Nvidia’s “Quantum Day” event, part of the company’s annual GTC Conference, Huang admitted that his comments came out wrong. “This is the first event in history where a company CEO invites all of the guests to explain why he was wrong,” Huang said. In January, Huang sent quantum computing stocks reeling when he said 15 years was “on the early side” in considering how long it would be before the technology would be useful. He said at the time that 20 years was a timeframe that “a whole bunch of us would believe.” In his opening comments on Thursday, Huang drew comparisons between pre-revenue quantum companies and Nvidia’s early days.

He said it took over 20 years for Nvidia to build out its software and hardware business. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday walked back comments he made in January, when he cast doubt on whether useful quantum computers would hit the market in the next 15 years. At Nvidia's "Quantum Day" event, part of the company's annual GTC Conference, Huang admitted that his comments came out wrong. "This is the first event in history where a company CEO invites all of the guests to explain why he was wrong," Huang said. In January, Huang sent quantum computing stocks reeling when he said 15 years was "on the early side" in considering how long it would be before the technology would be useful. He said at the time that 20 years was a timeframe that "a whole bunch of us would believe."

In his opening comments on Thursday, Huang drew comparisons between pre-revenue quantum companies and Nvidia's early days. He said it took over 20 years for Nvidia to build out its software and hardware business. Nvidia (NVDA) chief executive Jensen Huang apologized for tanking quantum computing stocks earlier this year when he said the technology’s usefulness is still decades away — but one analyst says he’s actually right. During a Quantum Day session at the company’s annual GTC developer conference, Huang said he didn’t know there were publicly traded quantum computing companies when he made comments in January that led the stocks... “My first reaction was, I didn’t know they were public,” Huang said in remarks reported by Bloomberg. “How can a quantum company be public?”

Huang said the event, which included executives from several quantum firms as well as Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT), was the first “in history where a company CEO invites all of the guests to... He added that “quantum computing has the potential and all of our hopes that it will deliver extraordinary impact,” but that “the technology is insanely complicated.” Despite the damage control, Huang “was right and all he did in January was point out the obvious fact that quantum computing is very unlikely to be a major economic force for another 15... Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO, Jensen Huang admitted his comments about quantum computing developments in January, which led to a decline in quantum computing stocks were wrong. He discussed the developments in the field with the leaders of these companies during the GTC AI Conference on Thursday.

What Happened: Huang’s statements in January pulled the shares of quantum computing companies down, with some experiencing losses exceeding 40%. During CES 2025, Huang stated that practical quantum computing is likely two decades away. Nvidia set a timeline of 15 to 30 years for "very useful" quantum computers, with a consensus within the company leaning towards a 20-year horizon. During GTC on Thursday, he said, "My first reaction was, I didn't know they were public! How could a quantum computer company be public?" he said. Huang said "They can explain why I was wrong," pointing toward the panel of speakers that he had invited from firms like PsiQuantum, D-Wave Quantum Inc., and IonQ Inc.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he missed the mark on quantum computing's future. He backpedaled comments he made in January, when he said “useful” applications for the technology are 20 years away. His remarks at the time sent quantum computing stocks tumbling. But during Nvidia’s “Quantum Day” event on Thursday, Huang revised his projected timeline and said “this is the first event in history where a company CEO invites all of the guests to explain why... Jensen Huang just revised his stance on the quantum computing timeline, even acknowledging that a quantum company could one day surpass NVIDIA. Rather than backtracking, he embraced the industry’s momentum, reinforcing NVIDIA’s commitment to the quantum future.

A rare and refreshing moment of leadership. Read the CNBC article here: https://lnkd.in/dQdp7s-9 And check out my original take on NVIDIA’s quiet quantum strategy below. #NVIDIA #Quantum #Leadership #CUDAQ NVIDIA has mastered the art of quiet innovation, shaping industries from AI to quantum computing with calculated moves and strategic partnerships. Discover how their behind-the-scenes leadership is building the future of technology. #Innovation #QuantumComputing #AI #Blockchain #TechLeadership

Admitting 'I was wrong,' NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's recent apology at GTC 2025 underscores the rapid advancements in quantum computing. His January remarks predicting useful quantum computers were decades away led to significant stock sell-offs for companies like Rigetti, IonQ, and D-Wave. At GTC, Huang acknowledged his misjudgment and invited leaders from these firms to discuss their progress. He emphasized rethinking quantum computers as scientific instruments and highlighted the potential of hybrid systems combining quantum and classical computing. Despite his apology, quantum computing stocks continued to decline, reflecting ongoing market skepticism. This episode reminds us of the importance of staying informed and adaptable in the face of technological evolution.

#quantumcomputing #nvidia #jensenhuang I am an analyst & digital transformation expert & experienced manager Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang apologized for comments he made earlier this year that caused stock prices of quantum computing companies to plunge. During a panel meeting at Nvidia’s GTC conference, Huang said he was “wrong” in suggesting that quantum computers would not be useful for 15 to 30 years. Share prices for IonQ and D-Wave suffered major drops after his first statement in January before losing more than 40% value from their stock. According to Huang, his initial comment relied on his background of constructing old-fashioned computer systems that necessitate decades to bring to life.

However, he invited leaders from quantum companies like PsiQuantum and D-Wave to discuss why his timeline was off. “They can explain why I was wrong,” Huang said, calling the panel the “first event where a CEO invites guests to prove him wrong.” The discussion focused on challenges in quantum computing, such as fixing errors caused by the unstable nature of quantum particles. Companies argued that progress is faster than Huang assumed, with some aiming to build practical quantum systems within years, not decades. Huang’s New Idea Call It a “Quantum Instrument” Even while apologizing, Huang questioned whether labeling these systems as “quantum computers” sets unfair expectations.

He suggested calling them “quantum instruments” instead, as they solve specific scientific problems rather than handling everyday tasks like spreadsheets. During Nvidia's GPU Technology Conference on Thursday, CEO Jensen Huang addressed the company's inaugural Quantum Day, which he described as an apology for his previous comments that negatively impacted quantum stocks. Business Insider reported that not all attendees were convinced of his sincerity or belief in quantum technology, as the damage to their stocks had already been done. In January, Huang had suggested that the quantum computing industry is two decades away from being "very useful," a statement that led to a dramatic 60% drop in sector stocks. The GTC quantum panels featured discussions among executives from emerging quantum computing companies like Quantinuum, IonQ, and SEEQC, alongside researchers from established tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. Despite the controversy, some panelists appreciated the exposure Quantum Day provided to the burgeoning technology.

Pasqal CEO Loic Henriet noted the event's potential to attract global interest in quantum computing. However, others, like D-Wave CEO Alan Baratz, felt that Huang's approach was more about maintaining his status as the "star of the show" rather than fostering genuine dialogue. Recent advancements in quantum research have been announced by companies like Microsoft, AWS, and Google, although the industry has yet to reach its full potential in areas such as drug discovery and encryption. The GTC panel discussions focused on each company's technical approach to quantum technology and debated whether the field should be renamed to "quantum processing" for better consumer understanding. Rigetti CEO Subodh Kulkarni suggested that separate panels for companies at different stages of development could have improved the event's organization. Baratz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the difficulty of declining an invitation from Nvidia.

Despite the challenges, quantum stocks saw a slight uptick following D-Wave's mid-March announcement, though they remain below their pre-January levels.

Nvidia Ceo Huang Apologizes For Quantum Computing Comments

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