We are in the midst of quantum hype with some excessive claims of quantum computing potential, many vendors' and even some research organizations' exaggerations, and a funding frenzy for very low technology readiness level startups. Governments are contributing to this hype with their large quantum initiatives and their technology sovereignty aspirations. Technology hypes are not bad per se since they create emulation, drive innovations and also contribute to attracting new talents. It works as scientists and vendors deliver progress and innovation on a continuous basis after a so-called peak of expectations. It fails with exaggerated overpromises and underdeliveries that last too long. It could cut short research and innovation funding, creating some sort of quantum winter. After looking at the shape and form of technology and science hypes and driving some lessons from past hypes, we investigate the current quantum hype and its specifics. We find that, although there is some significant uncertainty on the potential to create real scalable quantum computers, the scientific and vendor fields are relatively sane and solid compared to other technology hypes. The vendors hype has some profound and disruptive impact on the organization of fundamental research. Also, quantum technologies comprise other fields like quantum telecommunications and quantum sensing with a higher technology readiness level, which are less prone to hype. We then make some proposals to mitigate the potential negative effects of the current quantum hype including recommendations on scientific communication to strengthen the trust in quantum science, vendor behavior improvements, benchmarking methodologies, public education and putting in place a responsible research and innovation approach.
We are in the midst of quantum hype with some excessive claims of quantum computing potential, many vendors' and even some research organizations' exaggerations, and a funding frenzy for very low technology readiness level startups. Governments are contributing to this hype with their large quantum initiatives and their technology sovereignty aspirations. Technology hypes are not bad per se since they create emulation, drive innovations and also contribute to attracting new talents. It works as scientists and vendors deliver progress and innovation on a continuous basis after a so-called peak of expectations. It fails with exaggerated overpromises and underdeliveries that last too long. It could cut short research and innovation funding, creating some sort of quantum winter. After looking at the shape and form of technology and science hypes and driving some lessons from past hypes, we investigate the current quantum hype and its specifics. We find that, although there is some significant uncertainty on the potential to create real scalable quantum computers, the scientific and vendor fields are relatively sane and solid compared to other technology hypes. The vendors hype has some profound and disruptive impact on the organization of fundamental research. Also, quantum technologies comprise other fields like quantum telecommunications and quantum sensing with a higher technology readiness level, which are less prone to hype. We then make some proposals to mitigate the potential negative effects of the current quantum hype including recommendations on scientific communication to strengthen the trust in quantum science, vendor behavior improvements, benchmarking methodologies, public education and putting in place a responsible research and innovation approach.
There are signs that we are approaching a technical revolution that might take humankind’s computational capabilities to a new level. Quantum Computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, enabling the computational power to solve specific problems currently intractable for classical computers (e.g., cracking cryptographic keys). Since we are getting to a point where we can no longer build smaller, more powerful, more efficient devices with conventional methodologies, we need to think of new ways for technological progress. The manufacturing of microchips is reaching its limits in the use of traditional architectures. Hence, new and more advanced technologies need to address the challenges of increasing energy consumption and data processing. Connectivity, scalable architectures and concepts like Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service have already helped to scale computational-intense applications in the last years and have attracted the interest of IS researchers (e.g., Benlian et al. 2009 ; Benlian et al. 2018 ; Messerschmidt and Hinz 2013 ). Looking ahead to the next generation, computing will comprise technologies that enable high-performance applications far beyond today’s possibilities. One prominent example with a disruptive potential is Quantum Computing. While there are abundant open questions and directions for further developments, researchers in this area have made substantial progress in the last decade, indicating that, after medical imaging, lasers, and superconductors, another quantum-technological innovation might be approaching. We, therefore, intend to provide an overview of the current state of Quantum Computing research and outline how this new technology might stimulate research in Information Systems.
Although quantum technologies are promised to have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, disruptive innovations can only be advantageous to healthcare organizations if users are aware of the affordances they provide. However, there’s a lack of empirical evidence showing how these technologies are envisioned. This study investigates sociotechnical imaginaries about quantum technologies in healthcare through 10 interviews with scientists and healthcare professionals. While quantum sensing shows promise for near-term diagnostic enhancements, quantum computing applications like drug discovery face substantial technical challenges. Stakeholders envision quantum computing primarily as a back-end research tool rather than a direct clinical breakthrough. Key concerns include potential monopolization by tech giants and questions of equitable access. Concerns have been raised by interviewees that expectations may not be aligned with actual progress, which could potentially result in a "quantum winter". This has led to a discussion about the tension between generating hype and maintaining responsible communication. To align the advancement of quantum technology with the greater good of society, the results of the study highlight the necessity of governance models that guarantee openness, public infrastructure, and interdisciplinary cooperation. It is therefore vital to facilitate a more effective bridge between the potential of quantum technology and its real-world application in medical settings.
The rapid advancement of quantum information science and technology (QIST) has generated significant attention from people in academia, industry, and the public. Recent advances in QIST have led to both opportunities and challenges for students and researchers who are curious about the potential of the field amid hype, considering whether their skills are aligned with what the field needs, and contemplating how collaborating with industries may impact their research. This qualitative study presents perspectives from leading quantum researchers who are educators on three critical aspects shaping QIST's development: (1) the impact of hype in the field and strategies for managing expectations, (2) approaches to creating conducive environments that attract students and established researchers from non-physics disciplines, and (3) effective models for fostering university-industry partnerships that can be valuable for students and researchers alike. These aspects, along with several interconnected challenges, were explored through in-depth interviews with quantum educators. Our findings reveal nuanced perspectives on managing the hype cycle and its risks in creating unrealistic expectations. Regarding greater interdisciplinary engagement and attracting more non-physicists to QIST, educators emphasized the need to recognize and leverage existing expertise from other fields while developing educational pathways that meet diverse student backgrounds to prepare them for the QIST workforce. On university-industry partnerships, respondents highlighted successful models, while noting persistent challenges around intellectual property, confidentiality, and differing organizational goals. These insights provide valuable guidance for educators, policymakers, and industry leaders working to build a sustainable quantum workforce while maintaining realistic expectations about the field's trajectory.
Summary Advancements in nano-fabrication as well as improved control over quantum states has brought quantum technologies to the technological readiness level where large business took increased interest in this technology and started playing an active role in its development. Perhaps as a result of that, quantum computing has received a lot of media attention in the recent years, which makes it very important to understand what quantum computers (once sufficiently powerful one gets built) could or could not do and separate science from the hype which starts to surround this field. In this talk I will attempt to address these opportunities as well as challenges and suggest a few possible areas within upstream business where quantum computing could make an impact.
This article investigates the impact of quantum computing (QC) as an emerging technology with the potential to benefit businesses and their technological infrastructure. The main objective is to describe the challenges organizations face when adopting it, as well as the opportunities it offers in increasingly competitive and strategically complex markets driven by exponential growth. The study also identified that, while quantum computing promises to revolutionize areas such as resource optimization, productivity efficiency, and the simulation of future scenarios—enabling better-informed decision-making and risk mitigation—its implementation encounters significant obstacles: high costs, the need for specialized talent, and new security risks. To address these barriers, hybrid models combining cloud and local infrastructure, as well as microservices, have emerged as practical alternatives, enabling organizations to access this technology without requiring substantial initial investment. Ultimately, this research contributes to the academic discussion that quantum computing is not a replacement but rather a complement that can be integrated gradually and carefully. The path forward requires efforts in education and policy to ensure accessible and ethical development, preventing it from becoming a tool reserved for only a few.
Abstract: The past decade has witnessed considerable hope—and no small measure of hyperbole and fear—regarding a coming "revolution" in quantum computing, sensing, and communication. With states and multinational corporations investing billions of dollars globally, there have been incremental advances punctuated by notable breakthroughs, and several second-generation quantum technologies are already being field-tested and tentatively deployed. While it is premature to declare the arrival of a "quantum age," the disruptive impact and existential anxieties elicited by generative AI underscore that now is the time to consider the potential consequences of quantum tipping points. In this article, we embark on a speculative journey—a Gedankenexperiment, if you will—exploring how the pursuit to develop and deploy quantum technologies might reshape the international geopolitical landscape.