Quantum computers are still several years away from full-scale production, but early adopters like the Cleveland Clinic and Mitsubishi Chemical are already seeing tangible benefits, particularly when quantum computing is used in tandem with artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. This convergence is accelerating the technology's journey from research labs into real-world applications, with experts noting that progress has outpaced previous roadmaps.

Early Success in Simulating Complex Molecules

The Cleveland Clinic has been at the forefront of applying quantum computing to biomedical research. Lara Jehi, the clinic's chief research information officer, stated at the Quantum Tech World conference in late June that we are beginning to see genuine applications of the technology. She highlighted a dramatic leap in capability: in fall 2024, the largest simulation quantum computers could handle was just ten atoms. Industry roadmaps at that time predicted it would take five to seven years to exceed 10,000 atoms. Yet this year, the clinic successfully simulated protein complexes of up to 12,635 atoms—a feat impossible for classical computers alone. However, Jehi noted that even molecules of that size remain too small for clinical relevance, with real-world applications requiring simulations in the ballpark of one million atoms. She expressed confidence that this milestone is only one or two years away.

The Hybrid AI-Quantum Approach

Jehi explained that combining quantum computing with AI running on classical hardware enables work that neither could accomplish independently. For example, simulating how a compound binds to a protein in real time is too large a problem for either approach alone. But AI can identify the specific spots in a large molecule where high accuracy is needed, and classical computing narrows the focus to those fragments. Quantum then provides the high-resolution simulation for those critical regions. This hybrid workflow is becoming a common theme across industries.

Mitsubishi Chemical has been experimenting with quantum computing since 2018, focusing on quantum chemical calculations and optimization. Qi Gao, a distinguished scientist at the company's materials design laboratory, reported that the technology is now ready for production use, with a target of late 2025 or early 2026. The first applications will be in advanced semiconductor materials, particularly for two-nanometer chips. Classical computer simulations cannot achieve the high energy resolution required for such materials, making quantum computing essential. The initial use case involves simulating metal oxide, a photo-resistant material used in etching patterns into chips. Gao estimates that full algorithm development will take another two years, but the industry is clearly moving toward practical business deployment, with many companies targeting 2028 to 2030 as critical years for quantum computing.

Telecom and Cloud Providers Enter the Fray

SoftBank Corp. is also planning to commercialize quantum computing offerings within a similar timeframe. The company connects its customers to IBM and Quantinuum machines at Riken through its AI data center, currently running 21 pilot projects. Nobushige Oguri, director of quantum business planning at SoftBank, described the quantum computer as a new accelerator that will enhance current AI capabilities, much like how GPUs accelerate AI workloads today. He emphasized that the hybrid use of AI and quantum together is the key to speeding adoption.

Juliette Peyronnet, U.S. general manager at Alice & Bob, reinforced this view, noting that quantum processing units are very specialized devices—they are not suited for everyday problems or basic math. Instead, they will function alongside CPUs and GPUs, handling challenges that traditional computers cannot solve. This specialization is a hallmark of a maturing technology ecosystem.

A Maturing Ecosystem and Growing Investment

The quantum computing landscape is evolving rapidly, with a rich ecosystem of hardware makers, software providers, and consultancies emerging. Marta Estarellas, CEO of Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, a Spanish company that builds superconducting qubits, noted that the field has accelerated dramatically in the past 15 years. Today, quantum firms no longer have to build every component from scratch; a growing supply chain of spinoffs and startups handles different layers, allowing companies to focus on advancing core technology.

The Quantum Tech World conference itself is a testament to this ecosystem. Over 1,300 attendees and more than 100 sponsors participated in the latest event. Among them were quantum computer makers like Quantum Computing Inc., which demonstrated a real-time fraud detection algorithm that outperforms classical methods and scales linearly with data size. Also present were orchestration software companies like Classiq, which provides an abstraction layer to simplify quantum application development for non-scientists. Jason Silbergleit, head of Americas at Classiq, remarked that interest and acceleration have grown significantly even in the past three to six months.

According to Celia Merzbacher, executive director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, the industry is shifting from fundamental exploration to making scalable devices within a timeframe that private investors and end users are willing to support. A report released in April revealed that there are now 556 pure-play quantum companies and over 7,000 quantum-engaged organizations. The quantum industry generated $1.9 billion in revenue in 2025, up 30% year-over-year. Government funding commitments reached $12.7 billion in 2025, a 300% increase over 2024, while private venture capital investment hit $4.9 billion, nearly 200% higher than the previous year. Merzbacher noted that the momentum is visible across all fronts, from hardware advances to software development and talent growth.

Looking Ahead: Hybrid Systems Drive Practical Use

The consensus among early adopters and industry observers is that quantum computers will not work in isolation. Instead, they will be integrated into existing computing architectures, much like GPUs are today. This hybrid approach is already yielding results in fields such as drug discovery, materials science, and optimization. As the ecosystem matures and investment flows, the path from laboratory to commercial application is becoming clearer. With major milestones expected in 2028 and 2029, and near-term achievements like million-atom simulations on the horizon, quantum computing is poised to deliver on its long-awaited promise.

Source: Network World News