Quantum AI: Incoming Revolution or Vaporware?

The Quantum Leap in AI: Are we ready?

5 min readOct 8, 2024

Quantum computing has been on the horizon for years, seen as a groundbreaking technology that will revolutionize industries and redefine what’s possible.

But as we step further into the digital age, we are left wondering: Where are the quantum computers we’ve been promised? Will they burst onto the scene as suddenly as AI did, or is it all just vaporware? It’s probably somewhere in between.

Still in 2024, current quantum computers may speed up solutions to particular mathematical problems but they give no computational advantage for practical tasks. Still some work to be done…

A bit of history first

We’ve been talking about quantum computers for more than 40 years now.

1981: Richard Feynman proposes quantum computers could simulate quantum systems better than classical ones.
1985: David Deutsch introduces the concept of a “universal quantum computer.”
1994: Peter Shor develops Shor’s algorithm, showing that quantum computers can break traditional encryption.
2001: First experimental quantum computer runs Shor’s algorithm on 7 qubits (IBM/Stanford).
2011: D-Wave releases what it claims to be the first commercial quantum computer.
2019: Google achieves “quantum supremacy” with its 53-qubit Sycamore processor.
2021: IBM unveils the 127-qubit “Eagle” processor, pushing quantum hardware scalability.

Today, we’re still scaling qubits and see how to work with applications in AI, cryptography, and other complex problems.

Revolution or Vaporware?

Quantum computing, much like AI in its early days, is not yet mainstream (far from it). It hasn’t taken over headlines or transformed everyday life like some predicted. Yet, the technology is quietly advancing in the background. Researchers are hard at work, making breakthroughs that, while not immediately visible, are setting the stage for what could be a technological revolution.

Like (Gen)AI before ChatGPT.

Remember how AI spent decades as an academic curiosity before suddenly exploding into the commercial space? Quantum computing could be following a similar trajectory. AI developed slowly before exploding with real-world applications, from natural language processing to agents and autonomous systems.

It’s also going to happen with quentum computing.
The question isn’t if — it’s when.

Right now, quantum computing is tackling highly specialized tasks, primarily in research environments. But its potential impact is massive. Once quantum machines are fully operational, they will accelerate industries like cryptography, pharmaceuticals, and climate science, by solving problems that would take classical computers centuries to compute.

Quantum AI — The Next Power Couple?

What happens when quantum computing meets AI? The combination of these two technologies is not just a buzzword; it’s a genuine possibility that will push both fields to another change of “how we work”.

AI is already transforming everything, people and industries, but it’s still constrained by the limitations of current hardware (AI is slow, this is why the responses are often streaming word by word). Quantum computing could be the key to breaking these constraints, unlocking the next wave of AI innovations.

Slow token generation and bottlenecks in processing speed are some of the main hurdles. Quantum computing, with its ability to process vast amounts of data simultaneously, could significantly enhance AI’s speed and efficiency.

Faster learning algorithms
Models that can handle even more complex datasets
Near-instantaneous responses

The “token rate bottleneck” could become a thing of the past, thanks to quantum’s parallel processing capabilities. (let’s not even think about the economics behind)

But beyond just making current AI faster, quantum computing could enable entirely new kinds of machine learning. When applied to AI, it will open doors to patterns and intelligence previously unseen.

The idea of Quantum AI — where the power of quantum computing feeds AI models — is gaining momentum. The combination of quantum and AI could be a game-changer, not just for research labs but for industries worldwide.

What about startups and VCs?

When we think of cutting-edge technology, the U.S. often leads the conversation. But when it comes to quantum computing, Europe is emerging as a quiet but formidable leader.

Europe boasts the largest pool of quantum-ready researchers in the world and ranks second globally in terms of quantum-related patents.

These aren’t just isolated advancements — they signal a growing momentum across the continent. From academic institutions to startups, there’s a focused effort to push the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum computing. A few notable startups are exploring this topic (source), but it’s still immensely tiny compared to AI:

QC Ware: Cloud-based quantum algorithms, $41.4M. // USA
QuEra Computing: Neutral-atom quantum computers, $17M. // USA
Quantinuum: Quantum hardware/software, $325M. // USA
Oxford Quantum Circuits: Superconducting qubits, $146.5M.
Terra Quantum: Hybrid quantum systems, $90M.
Atom Computing: Neutral atom-based qubits, $81M. // USA
Origin Quantum: Practical quantum systems, $138M.
Classiq: Quantum algorithm platform, $61.8M.
IQM Quantum Computers: Superconducting quantum systems, $251.4M.
Multiverse Computing: Quantum finance software, $54.7M.
Pasqal: Neutral-atom processors, $137M.
Xanadu: Photonic qubits, $275M.
PsiQuantum: Fault-tolerant quantum computers, $1.3B. // USA

So far, American VCs have been pouring billions into AI and other emerging technologies, but quantum computing has yet to receive the same level of attention. Once the promise of quantum computing becomes undeniable — and its potential for exponential returns becomes clear — investment will likely flood into the space.

The global race for quantum dominance is heating up. Europe may currently have the lead in research, but U.S. capital and innovation could quickly tip the balance. We are watching. As quantum computing edges closer to commercialization, it will reshape global power dynamics in tech and AI. What an exciting time!

Conclusion

Quantum computing, while still in its infancy, is progressing steadily. It hasn’t exploded into the public eye like AI yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. With Europe leading the charge in research and the potential for AI and quantum computing to join forces, we’re on the brink of a new technological era.

The only question that remains is whether quantum computing will be silent, quietly transforming industries from within, or the next big buzzword that dominates the global conversation.