It’s 2025, and we still haven’t agreed on how to explain quantum computing without making it sound like science fiction.
But let’s be honest.
Do most executives really understand what quantum computing is?
Or are we all nodding along while vendors throw around words like "superposition" and "entanglement" as if we all took advanced physics last week?
And here's the better question: Should you even care right now?
(Short answer: yes, but not for the reasons you think.)
Let’s break it down.
If you want a clear way to understand quantum computing, stop thinking about computers.
Start thinking about coins.
A traditional computer is like flipping a coin and getting either heads (0) or tails (1). It’s binary. On or off. Yes or no. Everything it does, no matter how advanced, boils down to combinations of these bits.
A quantum computer? It’s like the coin is spinning in the air and never drops.
Instead of settling on heads or tails, it can exist in a blend of both. That’s called superposition. Add in entanglement, where coins (or "qubits") affect each other no matter how far apart they are, and you get computing power that scales in strange and powerful ways.
Put simply:
Quantum computing can analyze more possibilities at once.
It’s not just faster. It’s a different kind of fast.
You don’t need to become a physicist to see what’s coming.
Quantum computers are expected to:
Gartner predicts that by 2030, more than 20% of global organizations will budget for quantum computing projects, up from less than 1% in 2023 (Gartner, 2023).
So, while it's still emerging, ignoring it completely could cost you in the long run.
Here’s where things get interesting.
You can’t build a quantum computer in your garage. It’s not like buying a few GPUs and stacking them in a server rack. Quantum computers are incredibly sensitive—they require cryogenic cooling, vacuum systems, and electromagnetic shielding.
It’s not just hard. It’s fragile. Qubits are finicky. They decohere (lose their quantum state) in milliseconds.
Big players like IBM, Google, and startups like Rigetti and IonQ have spent years and hundreds of millions of dollars building prototype machines. IBM’s 433-qubit processor, Osprey, was announced in 2022 and took several years of roadmap planning and lab development.
To make it simple:
Quantum supremacy, the point where a quantum computer outperforms the best classical computers on a specific task, has been demonstrated in theory. But practical, business-ready quantum computing is still early.
Most experts agree: we’re at the "early internet" stage of quantum. You can see the potential, but not everyone should be rushing in just yet.
That said, leaders who understand the roadmap today will be better positioned tomorrow.
Quantum computing is changing the way we approach complex problems. Once the technical challenges are addressed, its impact could accelerate quickly and reshape entire industries.
At Galson, we help business leaders cut through the hype and understand what actually matters so you can make smart, confident decisions about what’s next.
Want tech to make sense? We do that.
Explore more insights or talk to our team at galson.com.
FAQs (Quick Answers)
They’re useful for drug discovery, supply chain optimization, finance, and materials science.
Most experts expect reliable systems within 5 to 10 years.
No. They’ll be used together, not as replacements.
Yes. Future quantum computers could break today’s encryption. That’s why new, quantum-safe encryption is being developed.
You don’t need to buy hardware, but it’s smart to start learning and exploring partnerships now.