IBM Sees Quantum Computing's Commercial Breakthrough on Horizon

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna believes quantum computing is nearing its biggest milestone yet: generating meaningful commercial revenue. Speaking on CNBC's Mad Money, Krishna said he expects the sector to begin making a measurable contribution to IBM's revenue and profit by 2028 or 2029.

According to Krishna, by the end of the 2030s, quantum computing has the potential to create $1 trillion in value. He noted that a quantum computer can solve mathematical problems faster and more efficiently than conventional computers, which is why companies like IBM, Alphabet, IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and several startups are racing to develop machines capable of solving complex problems.

IBM has already demonstrated some of the potential of quantum computing by using it to uncover properties of materials that conventional computers had been unable to model. Krishna said these insights could contribute to breakthroughs in areas such as longer-lasting batteries, new materials, fusion energy research, and drug discovery.