Quantum computing is no longer a distant promise, it’s entering the era of “quantum advantage”, the point at which quantum machines can outperform the best classical computers on real-world problems.
From drug discovery to financial modelling and global logistics, industries are already experimenting with quantum solutions.
Quantum advantage could speed up drug simulations to discover new treatments, optimise financial portfolios in ways classical computers cannot, and improve supply chain efficiency by solving complex logistics challenges in real time. The question now is: how can businesses and individual investors prepare for this technological leap?
Dr Alessandro Curioni, head of IBM (IBM) Research in Europe and Africa, explains that ignoring quantum computing is a risk that companies cannot afford.
“Simply dismissing the fact that the technology is maturing and we are approaching quantum advantage, is a big risk for every company to lose a possible competitive advantage,” Curioni told Yahoo Finance UK.
Read more: Quantum computers could expose sensitive data within years, says IBM scientist
So what is quantum advantage?
Unlike the incremental gains of traditional computing, where progress could be forecast by Moore’s Law, quantum advantage represents a step-change — today a business might see no benefit, but tomorrow quantum algorithms could suddenly unlock solutions in finance, logistics, materials, or drug discovery that were previously impossible.
That unpredictability, Curioni argues, is precisely why businesses cannot afford to wait on the sidelines.
For companies and investors looking to prepare, Curioni emphasises three steps: learning, collaboration, and targeted investment.
“It’s super important that everybody start to experiment with these fields,” he said. “We as IBM always created open access plans, some of that were free. Some, you know, with a minimal investment, other with a larger investment, exactly to engage the global ecosystems, to try to investigate the realm of the possible.”
He highlighted examples of IBM’s collaborative approach, including working groups in finance, healthcare partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, and materials science projects with Riken, Japan’s national research laboratory. These initiatives allow businesses to explore quantum computing applications alongside peers and industry experts.
“Start to collaborate within your industry, peer, to understand the realm of possible,” Curioni said. “Once you know it, and you know which are the fields of application that are going to impact more your business, eventually start to invest in doubling down, simply to make sure that…your business is ready.”