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July 2024
The quantum computing industry is evolving rapidly, drawing interest from various sectors, including academia, industry, government, and enthusiasts. This report provides a comprehensive analysis based on the recent survey conducted by QuEra Computing in June 2024. The report provides insights into national quantum programs, technical challenges, development pace, and ethical considerations in the field of quantum computing.
The full report is below. A PDF version also available for download here.
A total of 927 survey responses were collected from mid-June to early July 2024. The respondents reported that their primary Interests in quantum computing are as follows:
• Academics: 43.0%
• Quantum Computing Companies: 19.4%
• Non-Quantum Companies: 13.0%
• Analysts/Press: 2.3%
• Enthusiasts: 14.2%
• Others: 8.1% (e.g., researchers in non-profits, consultants, students)
The survey gathered responses from participants across various countries, with notable contributions from the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
To explore opinions about country-specific status, we asked: “How well-positioned is the country you mentioned in the previous question to play an important role in the global quantum computing industry?”
While globally, over 52% of respondents felt that their country is positioned very well and nearly 85% felt that their country is positioned very well or reasonably well, the responses for key individual countries were more varied:
For instance, German respondents felt much less confident than US respondents about their country’s ability to play an important role in the global quantum industry. Just over 44% responded that Germany is very well positioned, vs. over 82% that believed the US is very well positioned.
Related to this, we asked “How important is it for your organization where the quantum computer was developed?” This comes at a time where several countries are constructing barriers that make it more difficult to acquire computers made in other parts of the world.
Fewer than 20% say it’s not important where the computer was developed. Of those that believe it important where the computer is developed a friendly trade partner source was indicated almost twice as much as “in my own country”. These figures do not substantially change across the different types of interest in quantum:
When analyzed across key countries, France and the US are stronger in their desire to have the quantum computer developed in-country:
Next, we asked about the pace of development relative to expectations:
Over 50% of respondents indicated that the pace of development is faster (41.2%) or much faster (10.2%) than they expected.
When broken down by segment:
Companies whose business is quantum computing believe the pace of progress is more aligned with their expectations, perhaps because these companies play a role in setting expectations. Analysts also appear reluctant to admit that progress is much faster than they expected.
We asked participants to opine on the most significant technical challenge currently facing quantum computing.
Scalability (33.1%) and error correction and fault tolerance (30.9%) were the top responses. In the “other” category, key topics were software development skills, security, and industrialization of quantum machines.
A different picture appears when analyzed by segment:
Quantum vendors appear to be more focused on scalability (35.6%) than error correction (30.6%) whereas end-users favor error correction (34.2%) to scalability (25.0%). Academic researchers consider both equally challenging.
We inquired what areas should receive significant investment and funding to advance quantum computing. Here are the results:
When broken down by segments, end-users seem more concerned with cryptography and security as well as quantum networking and communications than respondents in other segments:
We asked what respondents expect to be the source or sources or quantum computing ROI in their organizations. We allowed multiple responses, and filtered the results to focus just on end-users, academic users and vendors of quantum computing. The responses were as follows:
The top two responses were solving previously unsolvable problems and solving problems faster than classically possible. Academic customers mentioned novel academic publications as their top benefit, whereas innovation and new IP was highly ranked in companies whose main business is quantum computing. For those interested, here is a breakdown of all responses:
We inquired whether quantum computing is being used today and whether the majority of use is classical, quantum, or roughly an equal combination of both. The responses were:
We see that end-users hardly use pre quantum computing, whereas companies in the quantum business primarily use hybrid quantum/classical computing.
We then inquired whether those that accessed a quantum computer obtained some value from it:
The answers were roughly split between those reporting that this access provided them with significant or some value, and those that don’t know, are unclear what value was returned, saying that access did not provide them with value or provided with negative value. However, a plurality of those that accessed a quantum computer reported that it provided some value.
When drilling down by segment, following results arise:
End users received much less value (35.6% report some or significant value) than academic (57.2%) or quantum-related companies (51.8%)
When organizations are investing in quantum computing, why are they investing? We asked respondents to identify all investment decision drivers:
The most common drivers were exploration of future opportunities and preparing for future applications. “Other” responses primarily include workforce development.
When exploring this by segment, “competitive edge” is more pronounced in both end-users and quantum-centric companies:
Given that many respondents believe that quantum is progressing faster than they anticipated, we asked how likely it is that their organization is caught off-guard by the pace of development and availability of quantum computing:
Just about a third (32.7%) felt that it’s likely or highly likely that their organization will be caught off-guard. As might be expected, this percentage is lower (22.8%) in organizations whose primary business is quantum computing, and higher in end-users (36.2%) and academics (34.5%):
When organizations are asked about their reasons for buying a quantum computer, sometimes the concern that there would be insufficient cloud resources comes up. This is likely a result of the difficulty to obtain sufficient cloud GPU resources these days. We sought to explore this concern for quantum:
64.5% of those that responded are somewhat concerned or very concerned that it would be difficult for their organization to secure quantum computer time on the cloud, once the value of quantum computing is proven.
Another way to look at this issue is to explore whether organizations plan to use cloud (public or private) or on-premises solutions for their quantum computer. Here are the responses:
While cloud access remains the preferable approach, about 20% (19.9%) indicated an on-premises plan either directly or after an initial development on the cloud.
Like most new technologies, quantum computing can be used for good but might also be used for harmful purposes. We inquired whether respondents are more excited about the good or harmful uses of quantum computing:
Nearly three quarter (74.9%) are more excited about the good potential of quantum.
As perhaps is to be expected, quantum-related companies are more excited (80.6%) than average about the good potential of quantum computing, whereas end-users are less excited (70.8%) than average.
We then asked, “What ethical considerations should be prioritized as quantum computing technology advances?”:
Key points raised, from most to least were:
• Privacy and security: 67.2%
• Equity in access: 46.2%
• Environmental impact: 46.1%
• Impact on employment and job markets: 27.2%
• Other: 7.15% (e.g., energy consumption, fair research)
We asked “When do you expect quantum to be a superior alternative to classical computing for certain workloads?”:
Most respondents felt that it would be 6-10 years from today.
When broken down by segment:
It seems that academic users are much more pessimistic that end-users and quantum companies. For instance, only 29.6% of academic users believe that quantum can be a superior alternative within the next five years, as compared with 47.0% for end-users and 47.8% of quantum-centric companies.
In response to “Imagine a world where quantum computing has reached its full potential. What is the most unexpected or unconventional application of quantum computing you envision?”, Participants envision a variety of unconventional applications for quantum computing, including:
• Quantum-enhanced computer graphics
• Quantum neural networks
• High-energy physics simulations
• Medical diagnostics
• Large-scale random number generation
• Optimization in agriculture and energy distribution
• Quantum artificial intelligence and robotics
We uncovered these answers in greater detail in a blog post here.
The survey reveals a diverse and growing interest in quantum computing across various sectors and geographies. While significant technical challenges remain, there is optimism about the potential benefits and ethical considerations that need addressing. Investment is driven by a mix of competitive edge, research support, and preparation for future applications. The pace of development is generally meeting or exceeding expectations, and there is a strong interest in both the positive impacts and the ethical implications of quantum computing technology.
This extensive report provides a snapshot of the current landscape and future outlook of quantum computing based on the survey results. It highlights the industry’s readiness, areas of investment, and the community’s excitement and concerns about this transformative technology.
A PDF version also available for download here.
QuEra Computing is the leader in commercializing quantum computers using neutral atoms—widely recognized as a highly promising quantum modality. Based in Boston and built on pioneering research from nearby Harvard University and MIT, QuEra operates the world’s largest publicly accessible quantum computer, available over a major public cloud and for on-premises delivery. QuEra is developing large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers to tackle classically intractable problems, becoming the partner of choice in the quantum field. Simply put, QuEra is the best way to quantum. For more information, visit us at quera.com and follow us on X or LinkedIn.
