Open-source projects that aim to make their offerings public have competed against for-profit, proprietary companies in a number of domains. These open-source projects often arise in response to the offerings of proprietary companies in markets where products have already been commercialized. We assess what impact an open-source project might have when it enters the market for quantum computing - a market where the core technology is still being developed. We argue that an open-source quantum computer might alleviate market frictions that have impeded the development of a fault-tolerant quantum computer by providing the market with a possible mechanism for: 1.) benchmarking, 2.) the development of hardware agnostic technology, and 3.) improved liquidity on the supply side of the market for labor. Should these outcomes be realized, they may not only benefit the open-source project, but also the for-profit, proprietary companies operating in the ecosystem. In this respect, an open-source quantum project may play a more complementary role to the proprietary firms in the ecosystem, rather than a more competitive role. Our collective insights may have implications for other settings where an open-source project enters into a market where the core technology has yet to be commercialized.
Open-source projects that aim to make their offerings public have competed against for-profit, proprietary companies in a number of domains. These open-source projects often arise in response to the offerings of proprietary companies in markets where products have already been commercialized. We assess what impact an open-source project might have when it enters the market for quantum computing - a market where the core technology is still being developed. We argue that an open-source quantum computer might alleviate market frictions that have impeded the development of a fault-tolerant quantum computer by providing the market with a possible mechanism for: 1.) benchmarking, 2.) the development of hardware agnostic technology, and 3.) improved liquidity on the supply side of the market for labor. Should these outcomes be realized, they may not only benefit the open-source project, but also the for-profit, proprietary companies operating in the ecosystem. In this respect, an open-source quantum project may play a more complementary role to the proprietary firms in the ecosystem, rather than a more competitive role. Our collective insights may have implications for other settings where an open-source project enters into a market where the core technology has yet to be commercialized.
This paper presents a formative market assessment of the quantum computing landscape in terms of market readiness of the technologies and the reported levels of investments. The findings presented in this paper are based on a quick scan of available literature combined with a perceptual map of the state-of-play. The paper considers the role of ‘big tech’ companies, the start-up ecosystem, and funding by nation states to identify key implications for the future of quantum computing developments. It highlights that although quantum computing technologies offer scope to revolutionise computing hardware and software, the development of a universal quantum computer will require breakthroughs in several areas including improvements in the quality of qubits, error correction, and demonstrable set of practical applications.
This study focuses on analysing the current state of the open-source quantum computing ecosystem. The research aims to determine the best method for evaluating the current health of the open-source quantum computing ecosystem. Key findings indicate that although there are few projects and active developers, there is a significant interest in the ecosystem, evidenced by the number of stars and forks in repositories. The development of the ecosystem is dominated by tech giants, such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google, all of which also have investments in quantum computing hardware in addition to their open-source projects. This shows that while there is considerable interest and potential, the robustness and diversity of the ecosystem require further development. Measuring the health of the ecosystem also presents challenges, given the highly specialized nature of the field of quantum computing. This study suggests that a longer-term observation, can improve the assessment of the ecosystem's health and promote its sustainable development.
Quantum technologies, such as communication, computing, and sensing, offer vast opportunities for advanced research and development. While an open-source ethos currently exists within some quantum technologies, especially in quantum computer programming, we argue that there are additional advantages in developing open quantum hardware (OQH). Open quantum hardware encompasses open-source software for the control of quantum devices in labs, blueprints, and open-source toolkits for chip design and other hardware components, as well as openly accessible testbeds and facilities that allow cloud-access to a wider scientific community. We provide an overview of current projects in the OQH ecosystem, identify gaps, and make recommendations on how to close them at present. More open quantum hardware would accelerate technology transfer to and growth of the quantum industry and increase accessibility in science.
A quantum computer exhibits quantum advantage when it can perform a calculation that a classical computer is unable to complete. It follows that a company with a quantum computer would be a monopolist in the market for such a calculation if its only competitor was a company with a classical computer. Conversely, economic outcomes are unclear if quantum computers do not exhibit a quantum advantage, but classical and quantum computers have different cost structures. We model a Cournot duopoly where a quantum computing company competes against a classical computing company. The model features an asymmetric variable cost structure between the two companies and the potential for an asymmetric fixed cost structure, where each firm can invest in scaling its hardware to expand its respective market. We find that even if (1) the companies can complete identical calculations, and thus there is no quantum advantage, and (2) it is more expensive to scale the quantum computer, the quantum computing company may be more profitable and also invest more in market creation due to efficiency gains from using quantum algorithms. Finally, we provide examples of settings where the classical computer can also perform a calculation, but not in a cost-effective enough manner to be commercially viable. In such a setting, the quantum computing company becomes a monopolist despite exhibiting no quantum advantage. Taken together, quantum computers may not need to display a quantum advantage to be able to generate a quantum economic advantage for the companies that deploy them. This paper was accepted by D. J. Wu, information systems. Funding: R. G. Melko is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Research Chair program, and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Research at the Perimeter Institute is supported in part by the Government of Canada through the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. A. Goldfarb is supported by the Sloan Foundation and the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4578 .
Quantum computing promises to help humanity solve problems that would otherwise be intractable on classical computers. Unlike today's machines, quantum computers use a novel computing process that leverages the foundational quantum mechanical laws of nature. This unlocks unparalleled compute power for certain applications and promises to help solve some of our generation's gravest challenges, including the climate crisis, food insecurity, and widespread disease. No one entity will be able to realize this end state alone. Developing a fault-tolerant quantum supercomputer and a vibrant ecosystem around it will require deep partnerships between industry, governments, and academia. It will also require collective action to enable and promote positive applications of quantum computing and ensure that the safe and responsible use of the technology is at the center of its development and deployment. Achieving these objectives will require focusing on three priorities: 1. Impact. Ensure quantum computing benefits all of humankind by developing quantum solutions to solve critical, global problems. 2. Use. Protect against malicious use by accelerating the deployment of quantum-safe cryptography and developing governance processes and controls for the responsible use of quantum machines. 3. Access. Democratize the potential for economic growth across all of society through skilling, workforce and ecosystem development, and digital infrastructure. This paper discusses each in turn.
Quantum computing has evolved from a largely theoretical discipline into a field of growing interest for commercial and industrial applications. Recent advances in quantum hardware, algorithms, and cloud-based access have enabled early experimentation outside academic environments, raising questions about its potential impact on real-world decision-making and operational problems. This paper provides an overview of the current state of quantum computing with a focus on its emerging relevance in commercial contexts. It examines the categories of problems that have attracted attention from industry, particularly those involving high combinatorial complexity such as optimization, scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation. The analysis also reviews the global landscape of companies and initiatives engaged in quantum computing, highlighting different technological approaches, maturity levels, and regional characteristics. In parallel, the paper discusses the principal challenges and limitations that constrain widespread adoption, including hardware immaturity, algorithmic readiness, cost factors, and organizational requirements. By considering both opportunities and risks, this study aims to present a balanced and realistic perspective on the role quantum computing may play in business environments. The objective is to clarify the current position of quantum computing within the broader technological landscape and to support informed interpretation of its potential, limitations, and future trajectory in commercial applications.