Quantum computing hogged the headlines in 2025 and it was ok to say it was the year of quantum--or maybe qubits--after just a few months. The quantum computing developments were flying, but it's worth noting that we're years away from big commercial adoption.
An IBM executive said the company's steady and practical approach to quantum computing will win out over the bluster that's emerging from multiple vendors.
IBM and Cisco said they will build a connected network of quantum computers that will look to scale to hundreds of thousands of qubits.
The pure plays in quantum computing are Davids trying to slay Goliath (or a series of them). In the meantime, the smaller quantum rivals are taking shots at the big guns and each other.
IBM launched its most advanced quantum processor, IBM Quantum Nighthawk, and announced its IBM Quantum Loom, an experimental processor that demonstrates all of the processor components for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Quantinuum launched its new Helios quantum computer, a high-performance general purpose commercial system with 98 fully connected qubits and fidelity north of 99.9%. The launch is aimed squarely at enterprises looking to deploy quantum computing for certain use cases. Indeed, Amgen, BlueQubit, BMW Group, JPMorgan Chase and SoftBank are initial customers pursuing biologics, fuel cell catalysts, financial analytics and organic materials.
Google said its Willow quantum computing chip has achieved quantum advantage. Google's breakthrough hit pure play quantum computing companies.
Cisco announced prototype quantum networking software that aims to network quantum computers together more quickly. IonQ has already bet big on compete quantum networking systems.
Microsoft is building a new quantum computing center in Maryland and line up with its work with DARPA on evaluating and funding quantum systems.
Quantinuum raised $600 million in venture funding led by Nvidia's venture capital arm, Quanta Computer and QED for a valuation of $10 billion.
IBM and AMD plan to integrate AMD's CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs with IBM quantum computers.
Microsoft laid out its plans to roll out post-quantum cryptography across its products and platform in a multi-year effort.
