Sure, here is the translation into American English:
The co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, has ignited the debate about the future of quantum computing by stating that fully functional quantum computers could be two decades away. “If you said 15 years, you would probably be optimistic. And if you said 30, you would be pessimistic. But if you go with 20 years, I think many of us would believe that,” Huang noted during a recent event.
Expert Perspectives
Huang is not alone in this estimation. Ivana Delevska, director of investments at Spear Invest, agrees with NVIDIA’s leader, emphasizing that this 15 to 20-year timeframe reflects the complexity of achieving fully functional quantum computing. Delevska underscores that this development is comparable to the time it took NVIDIA to establish accelerated computing as a disruptive technology.
What is a Fully Functional Quantum Computer?
Current quantum computers are essentially limited prototypes that cannot correct their own errors. A fully functional quantum computer would be capable of implementing error correction mechanisms, drastically enhancing its ability to tackle complex problems.
This implies quantum systems with hundreds of thousands or even millions of interconnected qubits that are precisely controlled. However, achieving this scale poses significant challenges due to the complexity of interconnecting and managing such a large number of qubits without compromising the stability of the system.
Optimistic Timelines: IBM and Google Lead the Race
IBM and Google are charting a path that could challenge the most conservative predictions. IBM, for instance, plans to unveil its quantum hardware with error correction, called Starling, by 2029. This advancement would enable researchers to tackle problems that are currently out of reach for existing systems.
By 2033, IBM projects the launch of Blue Jay, hardware designed for massive scalability. If they achieve their goals, this technology will mark a key milestone in the transition to fully functional quantum computers.
Meanwhile, Google recently introduced Willow, an innovative quantum processor that exponentially reduces errors as the number of qubits increases. This advancement, known as “being below the threshold,” ensures that quantum computers will maintain their quantum nature without losing efficiency due to noise and unwanted interactions between qubits.
Implications for the Future
Huang’s vision highlights the caution needed when evaluating advancements in quantum computing. Although IBM’s and Google’s initiatives suggest that some of the most critical hurdles might be overcome within 20 years, the inherent complexity of the technology justifies more conservative estimates.
In any case, the development of fully functional quantum computers will transform areas such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and molecular simulation, opening unimaginable possibilities for science and industry.
A Challenge for Europe?
While companies like NVIDIA, IBM, and Google are leading this revolution from the United States, Europe faces a significant challenge: increasingly relying on technologies developed outside its borders. Although there are promising European quantum initiatives, such as those driven by research centers in Germany and the Netherlands, governments and companies on the continent must intensify their efforts to avoid being left behind in this tech race.
Quantum computing will not only be key to solving complex problems but also to defining the technological sovereignty of nations in the future. If Europe does not bolster its investment and collaboration in this field, it may find itself at a strategic disadvantage to U.S. technological dominance.
Conclusion
Jensen Huang’s prediction puts into perspective the long journey ahead to achieve functional quantum computing. While companies like IBM and Google are making significant progress, Europe must decide whether it wants to be a major player or simply watch from the sidelines as others lead the next technological revolution.
via: Xataka