Quantum Computing S Watershed Moment How 2025 Became The Medium

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 2, 2026, 4:03 PM

quantum computing s watershed moment how 2025 became the medium

A Rigetti quantum computer displayed at the Nvidia GTC in October. Step aside, artificial intelligence. Another transformative technology with the potential to reshape industries and reorder geopolitical power is finally moving out of the lab: quantum. The United Nations dubbed 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. It’s been marked by a flurry of announcements — and a mountain of hype — around a mind-boggling field of science long dismissed as perpetually a decade away from usefulness. But that’s how people talked about AI, too, before ChatGPT spurred the current global arms race and investor euphoria.

When it comes to quantum technology (QT), investment is surging and breakthroughs are multiplying. The United Nations has designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, celebrating 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. Our research confirms that QT is gaining widespread traction worldwide. McKinsey’s fourth annual Quantum Technology Monitor covers last year’s breakthroughs, investment trends, and emerging opportunities in this fast-evolving landscape. In 2024, the QT industry saw a shift from growing quantum bits (qubits) to stabilizing qubits—and that marks a turning point. It signals to mission-critical industries that QT could soon become a safe and reliable component of their technology infrastructure.

To that end, this year’s report provides a special deep dive into the fast-growing market of quantum communication, which could unlock the security needed for widespread QT uptake. Quantum technology encompasses three subfields: Our new research shows that the three core pillars of QT—quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing—could together generate up to $97 billion in revenue worldwide by 2035. Quantum computing will capture the bulk of that revenue, growing from $4 billion in revenue in 2024 to as much as $72 billion in 2035 (see sidebar “What is quantum technology?”). While QT will affect many industries, the chemicals, life sciences, finance, and mobility industries will see the most growth. McKinsey initiated its annual quantum technology report in 2021 to track the rapidly evolving quantum technology landscape.

We analyze three principal areas of the field: quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. The analysis is based on input from various sources, including publicly available data, expert interviews, and proprietary McKinsey analyses. The conclusions and estimations have been cross-checked across market databases and validated through investor reports, press releases, and expert input. Because not all deal values are publicly disclosed and databases are updated continuously, our research does not provide a definitive or exhaustive list of start-ups, funding activities, investment splits, or patents and publications. Quantum computing has been one of the most exciting technologies in the world for years.In 2025, it’s no longer just a theory or a dream — it’s becoming real.Today, businesses, researchers, and governments are... In this guide, we’ll walk you through what has happened so far, the major milestones reached in 2025, and what breakthroughs are shaping the future of quantum technology.

If you’re curious about the future of computing, this is the perfect place to start! Quantum computing is a type of computing that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations. Unlike classical computers which use bits to represent data (0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, and can also be entangled, allowing... Before we dive into 2025, let’s quickly understand what quantum computing is. Eoin Higgins is a reporter for IT Brew whose work focuses on the AI sector and IT operations and strategy. Six years after Google announced it had reached quantum supremacy—that its quantum computer had performed a calculation a regular computer could not—the technology continues to push boundaries.

Classical computing relies on bits (which can be either a 1 or 0) and classical computations involve a single input, algorithm, and output. Quantum computing relies on “qubits,” which exist not only as ones and zeros but in a “superposition” state in-between, allowing quantum computers to analyze multiple solutions and outputs simultaneously. The technology has promise in the encryption space as well as simulations and research applications. Google’s quantum supremacy was achieved through random circuit sampling, a complicated technical breakthrough that involves registering the output of a set of qubits. This sampling requires a level of processing power that’s not possible with standard computers, even powerful ones. Sergio Boixo, Google’s director of quantum computing, told IT Brew that the discovery was a watershed moment akin to the Wright brothers first taking flight.

“It was the first demonstration that there is a new, different paradigm of computation that allows you to do some things which are practically impossible for classical, traditional computers,” Boixo said. “It was not a commercial application yet, that’s still part of the journey.” With 2025 approaching, quantum computing stands at the edge of a major transformation. Driving the development of scalable and fault-tolerant quantum processors, big goals and years of hard work have driven major progress. Leading companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM are bringing new ideas that could change the future of computing. However, uncertainty remains, and many important questions are still unanswered.

How close is the world to practical quantum applications? Will these innovations truly meet expectations? Here’s what’s unfolding, the breakthroughs, the debates, and how they could shape the future of quantum technology. Microsoft has long been an underdog in the quantum computing race, but 2025 could be the year it flips the script. The company recently introduced the Majorana 1 chip, a processor built on a novel topological architecture. This isn’t just another qubit innovation; it’s a fundamental shift.

At the heart of this chip are Majorana particles, exotic quantum states that help qubits stay stable and resist errors. Traditionally, qubits are notoriously unstable, requiring complex error-correction systems. Microsoft is taking a different route by building fault tolerance into the hardware itself, cutting down the need for heavy error correction. This shift could reshape the scalability of quantum systems and push the technology forward. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella summed up the breakthrough with bold optimism:

Quantum Computing S Watershed Moment How 2025 Became The Medium

People Also Search

A Rigetti Quantum Computer Displayed At The Nvidia GTC In

When It Comes To Quantum Technology (QT), Investment Is Surging

To That End, This Year’s Report Provides A Special Deep

We Analyze Three Principal Areas Of The Field: Quantum Computing,

If You’re Curious About The Future Of Computing, This Is