University of Kwazulu-Natal

The Realistic Path To Quantum Computing Separating Hype From Forbes

Bonisiwe Shabane
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the realistic path to quantum computing separating hype from forbes

Quantum computing promises revolutionary breakthroughs, but exaggerated claims and premature hype risk eroding public trust before the technology becomes truly useful Despite decades of research and investment, progress in quantum computing remains hindered by its Achilles' heel: the lack of practical applicability. Even by the most optimistic estimates, commercially relevant quantum computers are “at least a decade away,” a statement which has been reiterated time and again. Although recent developments in quantum error-correction and hardware are certainly encouraging, practical large-scale quantum computers are still likely a long way off. However, numerous false and superficial assertions were made regarding the technology. In addition to being disingenuous in many cases, this also has the added impact of severely undermining public confidence in an otherwise blossoming scientific endeavour.

There is an urgent need for the field to undergo a reality check while dispelling the rumours and false claims that plague it, to clearly recognise and address the major obstacles being faced by... Despite decades of research and investment, progress in quantum computing remains hindered by its Achilles' heel: the lack of practical applicability. While classical computing relies on bits, which can be either a 0 or 1, quantum computers employ qubits, which can assume a superposition of values between 0 and 1. Similar to digital circuits in classical computers, quantum circuits using quantum logic gates are employed to build quantum computers. The chief impediment to quantum computing comes from quantum decoherence or “noise,” due to the interaction of qubits with the external environment, which causes the information carried by them to decay over time. This is addressed by using Quantum Error Correction (QEC), which operates by combining multiple physical qubits into error-corrected “logical” qubits.

Quantum computing has entered the era of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers, which, for the first time, enable the execution of tasks that are too complex for even the most powerful classical supercomputers. However, these tasks currently focus mainly on benchmarking and have limited practical utility. As the technology continues to develop, NISQ computers will eventually give way to larger Fault-Tolerant Application-Scale Quantum (FASQ) computers, making practical applications of quantum computing feasible across a wide range of fields. When a mainstream piece on quantum computing lands, I usually file it under “interesting, but not news”. Yet over the past few days my inbox and Signal chats have been flooded with links to Forbes Tech Council’s new listicle, “20 Real‑World Applications of Quantum Computing to Watch.” Enough colleagues and clients... Rather than draft twenty individual replies, I’m parking my thoughts here for everyone who pinged me.

Quantum is enjoying a peak‑hype moment, so every bold claim deserves a reality check. A few of Forbes’s examples are genuinely promising; several smash together disparate ideas without noting the engineering road‑map; and some miss key caveats that separate “demo‑ready” from “production‑ready.” The authors could have done a... That said, knee‑jerk contrarianism is just as unhelpful as uncritical hype. As I argued in my recent essay on Quantum Contrarianism, pointing out a few overstatements does not prove the entire field is snake oil. The signal sits somewhere between the boosters and the naysayers. Below is a quick, rundown of key use cases: where Forbes is on-target, where it overreaches, and where the signal is still buried in marketing noise.

Forbes rightly highlights communication security as a top application. This is valid and already happening – as I often write about, QKD is already enabling provably secure key exchange (e.g., the Micius satellite network) and quantum random generators (QRNG) are bolstering encryption keys. These are real deployments. In this domain, quantum tech is a clear boon for cybersecurity, not just a future hope. We can validate that quantum-secured communication links (whether fiber or satellite) are operational today, protecting diplomatic and financial data against both classical and quantum spying. If there’s one technology that has captured the imagination of futurists and tech enthusiasts as much as generative AI, it’s quantum computing.

The buzz is deafening – promises of breakthroughs in encryption, pharmaceuticals, and financial modeling fill headlines. We’re told that quantum will change everything, making today’s supercomputers look like abacuses. But before enterprises start reshaping their strategies around an imminent quantum revolution, let’s take a hard look at where this technology actually stands today – and what it will take to make it truly... Las Vegas Convention Center, United States Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Thailand

Novotel Manila Araneta City, Philippines Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2, Taiwan Quantum computing is in its noisy, experimental stage and is powerful for research but still far from replacing classical systems. Most hype comes from misunderstandings, and quantum supremacy does not mean commercial readiness or broad industry impact yet. The near‑term future is hybrid, with quantum and classical computing working together while focusing on niche, high‑value applications. For the last decade, quantum computing has been the glittering promise to technology’s crystal ball.

It has been termed as the power to break the toughest encryptions, simulate nature with uncanny precision, and solve problems that classical computers would take years to crack. From boardrooms to research labs, the opinions have been resolute: the dawn of a new computing age is near. The picture is far more grounded as the technology continues to grow. Quantum computing is real, but so are its limits. Although the promise is clear, most breakthroughs that could be called ‘game‑changing’ are still many years or even decades away. This raises the real questions: what is hype, what is fact, and where does the field truly stand today?

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