Prime Highlights :
- Nvidia’s Jensen Huang now thinks quantum computing is approaching practical application, describing it as an inflection point.
- His tone change triggered a sharp rally in quantum tech shares.
Key Facts :
- Huang made the comments at his keynote speech for GTC Paris, indicating faith in hybrid quantum systems.
- Quantum Computing Inc., Rigetti, D-Wave, and IonQ shares increased 4% to 14% in early trading.
- Nvidia just opened a Boston research lab affiliated with MIT and Harvard to further quantum research.
Key Background
In January, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shocked the technology world by declaring that practical quantum computers were still 15 to 30 years away, with about 20 years being a good estimate. His frank warning shook the market, triggering steep sell-offs in quantum computing players. Companies such as Rigetti, IonQ, and D-Wave saw their stock prices drop as much as 45% after his downbeat prediction.
Industry leaders, at the time, protested. D-Wave CEO, for example, countered that Huang was “dead wrong” and pointed out that quantum computing was already being implemented commercially for purposes such as logistics and telecommunications. Nevertheless, investor sentiment had been damaged, and many started to doubt the near-term feasibility of quantum solutions.
But by March, Huang had moderated his views. At the San Jose GTC conference, he explained that he didn’t mean to damage quantum valuations and invited other CEOs to criticize him on the speed of progress. He also unveiled the launch of a special quantum research institute in Boston, focused on investigating hybrid quantum-classical computing and quantum error correction with leading universities.
Flash forward to this week’s GTC Paris keynote, and Huang was in a decidedly different mood. Quantum computing is now at an “inflection point,” he said, which means the industry is moving from experimenting to actually solving real-world problems. This is a far cry from his previous stance on skepticism. He pointed out that hybrid systems—mixing quantum and classical computing—could provide solutions to hard computational problems soon.
After his comments, a bounce in stocks in the quantum space. Quantum Computing Inc.Upped over 14%, while Rigetti, D-Wave, and IonQ added 4% to 7%. This renewed optimism comes as companies like IonQ are growing via acquisitions and partnerships, and Nvidia is busy collaborating with other quantum leaders to further the field.
Huang’s new message suggests quantum computing is not only advancing faster than expected but may soon play a supportive role in AI and high-performance computing—reframing it as a valuable complement to classical systems rather than a distant dream.
