Quantum Computing Timeline: What's Coming, When Will It Arrive, And Why Quantum Matters

Quantum computing chips and associated services are under development from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, IBM and many other companies. But when will quantum chips, hardware and associated applications arrive, and what are the potential implications for sustainability, climate tech and science research?

With those questions and others in mind, this regularly updated blog tracks statements and milestones from:

• Hyperscale cloud providers such as AWS, Google, and Microsoft;
• enterprise IT giants such as IBM;
• GPU and chip companies such as Nvidia; and
• pure-play upstarts D-Wave Quantum, IonQ and Rigetti Computing.

What is Quantum Computing and Why Does It Matter?

Generally speaking, quantum computing uses specialized technology—including computer hardware, software and algorithms that take advantage of quantum mechanics—to solve complex problems, IBM asserts. By contrast, classic computers and existing supercomputers can’t solve, or can’t solve such problems quickly enough, IBM says.

The current quantum computing market is relatively small since these applications require new types of hardware and software -- much of which is remains under development. Still, analysts are bullish about the market potential since the new systems may help scientists to tackle climate tech, healthcare, sustainability and medical challenges.

With those and other opportunities in mind, annual quantum computing revenue will reach $12.6 billion by 2032, up from $1.2 billion in 2024, Fortune Business Insights predicts. That's a 34.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the researcher notes.

Quantum Computing Developments, Milestones, Partnerships and Product Launches

Here's a timeline tracking quantum computing chips, hardware, software and cloud services developments -- and the potential implications for sustainable IT partners.

March 2025 - Research Center Nvidia plans to build a quantum computing research center in Boston.

March 2025 - Partnership: Pasqal and Nvidia are partnering to expand customer access to quantum computing tools.

March 2025 - Nvidia Conference: Nvidia's annual GTC event will include Quantum Day -- a first-ever for the conference. The conference runs March 17-21 in San Jose, California.

February 2025 - Amazon Ocelot Chip: Amazon become the third tech giant in as many months to announce a breakthrough in quantum computing, BBC reported. The cloud and e-commerce giant unveiled Ocelot a prototype chip built on "cat qubit" technology - an approach that derives its name from the famous "Schrödinger's cat" thought experiment, BBC said.

February 2025 - Google Strategy: Google is striving to release commercial quantum computing applications within five years, Reuters reported. "We’re optimistic that within five years we’ll see real-world applications that are possible only on quantum computers," Google VP of Engineering Hartmut Neven said, the report added.

February 2025 - Funding: Quantum Machines, an Israeli startup, raised $170 million in a Series C round, bringing total funding to date to $280 million, The Wall Street Journal reported. The funding surfaced one week after Microsoft announced its Majorana 1 chip; and roughly two months after Google unveiled the Willow chip development.

February 2025 - Venture Capital: Hitachi has launched a $400 million fund. Target investments include disruptive startups that focus on data centers, distributed energy systems, future of work and industrial AI, as well as startups in new frontiers including bio, quantum, nuclear fusion, life science, space and adjacent technologies, the company said.

2024 Developments and Updates

December 2024 - IBM and Illinois Partnership: IBM and the state of Illinois are collaborating to establish the new National Quantum Algorithm Center in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. Key participants include the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The IBM Quantum System Two will deploy in Chicago in 2025.

November 19 - AI and Processors: Nvidia and Google are partnering to design quantum artificial intelligence processors. 

November 2024 - IBM Advancements: IBM announced hardware and software advancements to "execute complex algorithms on IBM quantum computers with record levels of scale, speed, and accuracy," the company said. IBM says the computers can help customers "tackle scientific problems across materials, chemistry, life sciences, high-energy physics, and more," the firm added.

October 2024 - IBM in Germany: IBM has unveiled the first IBM Quantum Data Center located outside of the United States. The new center is located in Ehningen, Germany.

September 2024 - IBM in New York: IBM has expanded a Quantum Data Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. The data center has the "highest number of available utility-scale quantum computers at a single location in the world," IBM asserts. A second IBM Quantum Data Center which will soon open in Ehningen, Germany, the company said. IBM Cloud allows customers to access the quantum computing capabilities.

May 2024 - IBM Partnerships: IBM and multiple partners launched a quantum computing working group focused on sustainability and energy transition research. The effort involves such collaborators as PINQ², Université de Sherbrooke, Hydro-Québec, University of Luxembourg, and E.ON.

April 2023 - Microsoft Partnership: Johnson Matthey is leveraging Microsoft Azure Quantum to drive new discoveries in sustainable energy, the two companies said.

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