Quantum computing reenters the tech spotlight following statements from Niccolò de Masi, CEO of IonQ, asserting that the company’s upcoming quantum chips will render architectures like NVIDIA Blackwell “outdated” before 2027.
The executive shared these insights in an interview with Bloomberg, coinciding with IonQ’s recent acquisition of Oxford Ionics, which is said to have sped up the company’s development roadmap. According to IonQ, this deal will enable the creation of a quantum chip with 10,000 physical qubits in just two years.
The End of Traditional GPUs?
De Masi did not shy away from bold predictions:
“Even if we reach two million qubits by 2030, we’ll be able to solve problems that traditional GPUs couldn’t handle, no matter how old the universe is. Blackwell chips will appear obsolete long before then, in 2027, once we have 10,000 qubits thanks to our new partners at Oxford Ionics. That will leave any existing supercomputer on Earth in the dust.”
The CEO’s comments are provocative, but they raise a recurring question: Can quantum computers replace NVIDIA and AMD’s traditional GPUs in the near future?
Currently, quantum chips are focused on specific problems: optimization, chemical simulations, cryptography, or applied quantum physics. GPUs, on the other hand, remain indispensable for massive parallel processing, where deterministic and precise results are necessary—in fields like generative AI, gaming, or classical supercomputing.
What is a Quantum Chip and How Is It Different?
A quantum chip is composed of physical qubits and logical qubits:
- The physical qubits are superconducting circuits that store quantum information.
- The logical qubits enable the application of error-corrected quantum algorithms and are the real drivers of computational power.
The main challenge isn’t increasing the number of physical qubits but scaling logical qubits with error correction. Without this advancement, quantum computers won’t reliably run the applications that current GPUs handle.
F1 Racing vs. Trucking
Comparing a quantum chip to a classical GPU is, as experts say, “comparing a Formula 1 car to a freight truck.”
- GPUs excel at parallel and predictable workloads.
- Quantum chips are designed for exponentially complex problems that are inaccessible to classical computing.
Therefore, rather than replacing each other, the reality suggests that both technologies will coexist, each optimized for its specific domain.
The NVIDIA and AMD Factor
IonQ’s claims come at a time when NVIDIA dominates the AI market with its Blackwell architecture, while AMD competes with its Instinct GPUs.
For a quantum chip to outpace these architectures, it’s not enough to increase the qubit count; a comprehensive ecosystem of software, algorithms, and practical applications still needs to be built.
Major players like NVIDIA are also investing in quantum technology and hybrid GPU-QC systems, aware that the future will be heterogeneous and complementary, not a wholesale replacement.
A Plausible Future or Pure Marketing?
IonQ promises 10,000 qubits by 2027 and 2 million by 2030, figures that, if achieved, would mark a historic milestone. However, the scientific community reminds us that the quantum race faces significant technical hurdles:
- Quantum error correction remains in experimental stages.
- The need for stable cryogenic infrastructures.
- Lack of large-scale commercial applications beyond highly specialized sectors.
For now, these announcements should be seen as a aspirational vision rather than a guarantee that GPUs will become obsolete in just two years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What applications do quantum chips dominate today?
Primarily chemical simulations, cryptography, optimization, and problems with exponential complexity.
Will quantum chips replace traditional GPUs?
Not in the short term. Coexistence is more likely: GPUs for massive deterministic workloads and quantum chips for specific, intractable problems.
Why are logical qubits important?
Because they enable reliable execution of quantum algorithms by correcting errors in physical qubits. The key progress hinges on scaling this type of qubit.
What role does Oxford Ionics play in IonQ?
Their acquisition provides crucial technology to accelerate the development of more stable and scalable quantum chips, bringing the 10,000-qubit goal closer for 2027.
via: wccftech