Explained in 1 minute: when will quantum computers be useful?
In 'Explained in 1 minute', you'll understand that one term that everyone mentions but nobody explains. Today: the use of quantum computers.
Published on March 4, 2025
Willow, image: Microsoft
As editor-in-chief, Aafke oversees all content and events but loves writing herself. She makes complex topics accessible and tells the stories behind technology.
Quantum computers promise groundbreaking computing power, but when will they truly become useful? Despite recent breakthroughs from major tech companies, there’s no clear timeline yet.
These machines leverage quantum mechanics to solve problems that classical computers can't handle. For example, Google claimed its quantum chip Willow solved a problem in 5 minutes, which would take the world’s fastest supercomputer 10 septillion years to complete.
However, big challenges remain—quantum hardware is expensive and unreliable. According to McKinsey, 5,000 quantum computers could be operational by 2030, but solving truly complex problems may take until 2035 or later. Nvidia’s CEO predicts “very useful” quantum computing by 2045, while Microsoft believes it could happen within just a few years.
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Explained in 1 minute: the netting scheme
In 'Explained in 1 minute', you'll understand that one term that everyone mentions but nobody explains. Today: the netting scheme.