Why Quantum Computing Is The Next Big Bubble

The intricate hardware of a quantum computer, designed to operate at extremely low temperatures to maintain the delicate state of qubits. Credit: MIT

This past year, ChatGPT rolled out 4o, Claude built Sonnet 4.5, Gemini has Gemini 2.5, we got some more AI features, and… we’re now done. That’s it. It’s not that AI is dying; it’s just that we’ve already begun to advance past the immense AI bubble. In its prime, everyone and their mother was developing new chatbots and technologies that improved LLMs. You could literally just stick the word ‘AI’ onto any new app, and it would instantly be spotlighted. Now, it feels like AI is such a persistent innovation that there continues to be room for growth, despite most of the hype having died down. That brings us to the question of: what next? This time, the answer might start with a Q.

The word ‘quantum’ may strike many people as being overwhelmingly complex and not worth their time, but there’s a reason it’s being talked about as the next frontier after AI. Media sources and other tech journals across the internet have mentioned quantum computing more and more ever since we’ve gotten bored with the last bubble. In other words, the hype is real. I’m writing to explain, in simple terms, why this is happening. What’s driving the recent surge in stock prices for quantum computing companies? What do analysts and tech researchers see that most people don’t?

The whole concept of quantum computing that makes it so compelling is rooted in the fact that it allows us to solve certain problems that are too complex for powerful classical computers. This is accomplished using qubits (quantum bits), which tie into the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, involving superposition and entanglement.

Superposition is the ability to represent multiple states at once. For instance, qubits can be both 5 and 8 at the same time, while normal bits can only have one state, meaning they can only be either 5 or 8. Entanglement is a connection between two or more particles where their states are correlated regardless of distance. Entanglement is dependent on superposition and speeds up information processing exponentially.

Entanglement links qubits, making them interdependent. This is pretty much what lets us make incredibly complex calculations across many variables. It gives quantum computers the power to tackle enormous numbers of solutions simultaneously, overcoming even the most challenging calculations. It’s hard to believe how many applications quantum computing really has. These applications span a variety of fields, including financial modeling, AI, drug discovery, materials science, logistics, supply chain management, cybersecurity, or pretty much any other data-oriented field you can think of. 

It’s also hard to believe that any of this is true. After all, if quantum computing were so revolutionary, wouldn’t it have caught on sooner? The truth is, these are all potential future implications. They don’t exist right now, and aren’t even possible with current capabilities. Also, it’s probably worth mentioning that quantum computing will never replace classical computing. Experts imagine a world where quantum computing and classical computing co-exist as a hybrid system, giving us the best of both worlds.

Quantum computing expands into many currently existing fields. One such example is QML, or the field of quantum machine learning. This involves the combination of quantum computing with machine learning to accelerate machine learning tasks. It uses the same principles of superposition and entanglement to speed up machine learning research and other studies.

Quantum computing isn’t guaranteed to be a huge thing, however. There are plenty of factors that could burst the developing quantum computing bubble. Chatter has already begun about the potential of quantum computing being overhyped. There may be a chance that it comes to a complete stop and is a total letdown. Nevertheless, embracing both opportunities and challenges to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum computing will keep us from rushing into another overwhelming bubble.